Big hearts rebuild storm-wrecked stables for rescued horses
Briton 's 11 rescued horses left roofless when Storm Gloria destroys their stables, but crowdfunding, great friends and the kindness of strangers mean nine have now returned
KINDNESS, community spirit and a love for animals is helping a Jesús Pobre woman recover from the devastation of Storm Gloria – although she still has plenty of work left to do.
Janet Welsh's 11 rescued horses were left homeless after Gale Force 9 winds of over 130 kilometres per hour tore off the roof of her barn, destroyed the stables and ripped up the fence on the night of January 19.
A chunk of the roof was hurled into the window of the mobile home on site where Janet lives, smashing the glass and injuring her dog, Buddy's leg.
He is recovering well, although he has chewed out his own stitches, so he is now having to 'wear the collar of shame', says Janet.
Battling the elements and risking her life, Janet spent the entire night rounding up her terrified loose horses and 'crying', she said.
She had to desperately find temporary new homes for the horses, who have been gradually returning home, with only two now waiting to be 'repatriated'.
“Some of them are quite old and need regular medication,” Janet revealed.
Janet has never been able to get insurance for her stables as they are made from wood and underwriters consider them a 'fire risk'.
“Fire? But it's the wind that's destroyed them!” Said Janet after the storm.
“I've lived here 15 years and never seen anything like this.”
In any case, fences are never covered for wind damage, even in hurricane conditions.
Community helps out
Spaniards and expats of various nationalities, including fellow Brits, have donated to Janet's appeal – which can be found at https://www.gofundme.com/f/ Javea-Storm-Devastation--Horses-in-Distress), and at the time of going to press, had raised €2,693 of her goal of €10,000.
And kind-hearted volunteers – close friends, acquaintances and even strangers – have been willing to get their hands dirty.
They spent the first few days helping to clean up the débris and secure two shelters, enabling four horses – Riva, Harry, Lance and Merlin – to return home three days after the storm.
“I couldn't have coped without them all, they have been fabulous,” says a grateful Janet.
Within a week and a half, one feed room was rebuilt - “with pretty pink doors recycled from the chicken coop,” plus a new roof and part of the fencing.
By Saturday, two other horses – Capitán and Soñador – had returned home.
“I've had some really lovely people coming up to help me put things back together,” Janet told CBNews.
“The GoFundMe has done really well, and raised enough to cover the cost of a new roof, but I still have the fencing to pay for and a shelter and feed room.”
Nine of the horses are now home, but Janet says the other two cannot return 'until the shelter is rebuilt'.
Donations, however small, are gratefully received.