Stray horse found in Aromas on Dec. 1
The SPCA for Monterey County is searching for the owner of a stray mare found last week in Aromas.
The horse was discovered Dec. 1 between Graniterock Aromas Transportation Division and 101 Livestock Market. The organization estimates the bay mare to be between 6 and 10 years old.
Beth Brookhouser, the SPCA for Monterey County's vice president of marketing and communications, explained that while some horses, like all pets, have microchips or brands to identify their owners, the discovered horse doesn't have any identification.
Brookhouser said it's unclear if the horse was deliberately abandoned or if she is a lost pet. She said that while it's not a regular occurrence, the organization does rescue abandoned horses throughout the county from time to time, especially after the pandemic.
“We are starting to see over this past year more animals coming to us from owners who can no longer care for them,” Brookhouser explained.
To combat rising costs of pet care, the SPCA offers many lowcost or no-cost programs for pet owners. One of those programs includes the free SPCA Pet Food Bank, which relies on donors to provide free pet food and supplies to owners in need of support.
Brookhouser said the organization has given out over 250,000 pounds of free pet food in the hopes of keeping pets with their families instead of in shelters.
“For horses, our barn will work with owners to give them the help they need. And we can also take in owner-surrendered horses if an owner can truly no longer care for them,” Brookhouser added. “Abandonment is always a crime. There are always better options.”
Currently, the SPCA is caring for 17 rescued horses in addition to hundreds of other cats, dogs and small animals. Brookhouser explained that if no one steps forward to claim ownership of the stray mare discovered, the SPCA will continue to care for her until she's ready for adoption and a new home.
The SPCA is asking anyone who has information on the stray horse to contact 831-373-2631