Lesotho Pounds Rescue Project Launches Facebook Page

Sept. 16, 2012 - PRLog -- September 12, 2012

Underberg, South Africa – The Lesotho Pounds Rescue Project has launched their official Facebook page as the cause continues to gain momentum. The page, located at http://www.facebook.com/lesothohorses already has over 450 followers and is set to be featured in October on the homepage of the South African Equine Network – Neigh-Bours.

“We’ve had a lot of volunteers behind the scenes working to improve the situation,” page creator Sophia Mangalee said. “It’s time to bring the issue to the public’s attention.”

The purpose of the Lesotho Pounds Rescue Project is it to improve the conditions of the animals in the government run pounds in Lesotho. Lesotho is an isolated, landlocked country surrounded by South Africa. Over 85% of the country’s resident population engages in subsistence agriculture and livestock including horses, cattle, sheep and goats are still an integral part of their livelihood.

Stolen animals are rounded up by the country’s police and stock theft unit, and then held in pounds where conditions are dire. There is no food or water and often the animals starve to death before being claimed.

The winter in Lesotho has been particularly hard this season with little to no grazing for the government-held animals. The pound in Mokhotlong has been the main focus of the Lesotho Pounds Rescue Project and donations from Canada, the US, Europe, China and South Africa have allowed for the first loads of hay for the animals to that location. Arranging transport up Sani Pass has proved difficult with snowfall and treacherous conditions often closing the pass this year.

Supporters of the Lesotho Pounds Rescue Project can stay apprised of updates via the Facebook Page. In addition, photos of horses stolen from surrounding towns in South Africa can be submitted to the page with a description of the horse and contact information.

“Facebook is a great way to disseminate information online quickly,” Mangalee added. “The hope is that any horse in the pound is identified quickly and that their owner is contacted to minimize the time they spend in the pounds.”

For more information, or to learn how you can help, contact the Lesotho Pounds Rescue Project Media Director Sophia Mangalee at sophiamangalee@yahoo.com.

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