FREEDOM FOR WILD HORSES
Jill Starr
It's that time again, already, where I must reach out and ask for your continued support. It was just a few weeks ago that you received a similar email letter from me asking to help us buy hay.
It explained that the hay costs have gone through the sky making it impossible for us to keep up with and if we don't find a solution soon - by the end of this year Lifesavers Wild Horse Rescue could be bankrupt and our horses would have an unknown future.
That is the worst case scenario. I won't let that happen! It's not even an option! This isn't the first time we've fallen on hard times in our 15 years of organization. We manage to find a way to go on. But this time is very serious.
Funds are coming in, but they are not covering all the related costs for running a horse rescue of this magnitude - with over 500 horses to feed and care for. Each month our reserves - our emergency funds - are being tapped into to make ends meet. Soon our reserves will be gone.
However! I do have a solution - and its not only a good one, but a fantastic one that will solve so many of our problems, and will make the horses happier than they have been since being removed from their homelands and forced into captivity.
We already have 150 horses living on open ranges in South Dakota. If you remember - we moved them there last year this time. Well a whole year has passed and I can tell you they are thriving!
I just returned from a visit to Pine Ridge, South Dakota and was able to view our horses on what is now their home. 6000 beautiful grassy acres with water ponds and shade trees and grass galore!
They are so happy to be there that they don't dare get too close to humans - probably afraid that they will be gathered up again and moved to some dry, dusty corral - separated from their families and friends.
No - we won't be moving them. They are safe for a long long while - hopefully forever. And we can move more of our rescued horses there to join them in this wonderful freedom.
All it takes is money.
The amount we will save by moving them to South Dakota is about $6000 for 100 horses every month.
Right now 100 horses is costing us $10,000 every month to feed and care for - so you can do the math and realize that this is a smart move for so many reasons.
Look at the photos I have attached and you can see for yourself that South Dakota is a much happier place than the dry sandy hot desert of California where they now reside.
Wide open spaces - enough grass to keep them busy all day everyday just grazing. Enough water to quench even the strongest thirst. And cool breezes rustling the leaves of the shade trees where they will nap in complete safety and comfort.
When winter comes they will find shelter in the many crevices of the rugged landscape. Don't worry - we have management in place to make sure that feed will always be available for them when the ground is covered in snow. They will not only survive, but flourish - after all they are wild horses and they know how to live in the wild.
The ranch that is hosting our horses practices permaculture which is a symbiotic relationship with mother earth. The health of the land and the wildlife is a priority. This is a true paradise and we would be foolish not to take the opportunity that has been presented to us and our most deserving rescued horses.
This plan is exactly what we have always hoped for!
Please help us move 100 horses to their new home in South Dakota. The cost of moving them and to lease the land they will thrive on will average $200 each for transportation and $480 for a year's lease per horse. Much cheaper than the $1200 per horse (actual feed costs) that we are paying now.
Our first 32 lucky horses are set to leave on Monday, April 30th with subsequent loads following as funds are raised.
The goal is to move them this season, before fall.
Your donation in any amount will help us reach this goal. Your donation will give horses a new life...the life that God had in mind for them in the first place. Your donation will allow us to continue our lifesaving work here in California, and in South Dakota.
Thank you for all your blessings,
Jill Starr
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Lifesavers Wild Horse Rescue has become verified by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries. Verification means that Lifesavers Wild Horse Rescue meets the criteria of a true equine sanctuary/rescue and is providing humane and responsible care to the animals. To be awarded verified status an organization must meet rigorous and peer reviewed animal care standards and must also adhere to a demanding set of ethical and operational principles.
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In Memory of Moose Bentley********