Hearts, Hope and Hay: HELPING HORSES DURING THE PANDEMIC
hen COVID-19 swept through the United States, it took a toll on human life and the economy. As hospitals sprang into action, businesses shuttered and the scramble for provisions began, animal rescue organizations started bracing for the worst, knowing that surrenders and possible starvation cases may not be far behind.
WAt Drifter’s Hearts of Hope, a 501(c)(3) equine rescue in Franktown, Colorado, President Jacqui Avis and Director of Fundraising Rachelle Nye sought to head this problem off at the pass. They knew better than most that it’s seldom cheap to feed or care for horses, having rescued more than 460 to date.
“We had experienced an increase in owner-surrender requests [people who ask to relinquish ownership of a horse to the rescue] and had seen a decrease in people interested in adopting new horses,” explained Colleen Fitzpatrick, the group’s director of community outreach. “In seeing how the COVID-19 financial impact was affecting the horse community, we set to work on our COVID-19 Equine Assistance Program.”
The idea was simple:
Horse owners experiencing COVID-related hardships could submit an online application for emergency assistance. “The goal of the program is to keep the horses well fed at home while their owners navigate these uncharted waters,” Fitzpatrick continued. “In this way, the rescues are able to continue focusing on owner surrenders with the greatest needs and help additional horses, as well. This provides a bit of a cushion to the horse owners who have been hit hard financially due to the crisis.”
To get the extra hay and grain needed, Drifter’s Hearts of Hope formed alliances with or reached out to groups such as the Dumb Friends League Harmony Equine Center, the Colorado Unwanted
Horse Alliance and even Purina, which donated feed coupons. “We also raised money through a Facebook fundraiser, so community donations went into it, as well,” Fitzpatrick said, noting that the reaction to the program has been “fantastic.”
Though the assistance is temporary, it is clearly making the difference in some cases between keeping horses and giving them up. “We have received notes of incredible appreciation from those who have received assistance through the program,” Fitzpatrick said. Start an Emergency Hay/Feed Fund
To rescues interested in starting a similar program, Fitzpatrick recommends using an online application through
which owners can apply for assistance. “In this way, you can learn more about the horses and their needs and see how to best assist,” she said.
Then go out and forge alliances within your community, a move Fitzpatrick called “instrumental to success.” For example, Drifter’s Hearts for Hope maintains contact with Colorado Horse Rescue to determine which of the two organizations can best address certain needs. “We have also applied for additional grants and other funding because we want to ensure that we can do everything we can to help the local horse community through these challenging times,” she said.
In the end, it’s all about helping each other and the horses we love. As Fitzpatrick commented, “In times of crisis, we often look to our neighbors for help, and we are happy to be as helpful as we can be to other rescue groups!”