Equine Rescue and Adoption Foundation “client-base” Doubles in Size

STUART, Fla. - May 20, 2013 - PRLog -- There’s a little piece of Paradise in Palm City for horses whose owners can no longer care for them. The Equine Rescue and Adoption Foundation (ERAF) is a haven for horses and now, donkeys, located on about 15 acres in western Palm City.

On May 4, 7 horses and 4 donkeys were surrendered and brought to ERAF with help from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office Agricultural Crimes Deputies. With 11 abused and neglected horses already in residence, the population doubled in one day.

On May 13, Sheriff William Snyder paid a visit to see the animals’ condition firsthand and help to bring much-needed awareness to the emerging situation.

         “We have to have a place like this available to us in Martin County. There is nowhere else we can take these horses. We simply cannot have horses in this situation and I want to make the public aware of what is needed here,” commented Sheriff Snyder.

         Recently the news got out that the owners of the property, The Pegasus Foundation, would like to sell the property known as the Caring Fields Animal Sanctuary. The entire property is 23 acres.  The Hobe Sound Animal Protection League (HSAPL) is also located on the property. The HSAPL is non-profit no-kill feline rescue and adoption organization with a population of over 150 cats and is also located on the property. The mission of Caring Fields is to provide a safe place for the rescue, rehabilitation and re-homing of equines and cats in need, and through education, to promote a more compassionate world.

         ERAF board president Randy Kinder said they had no choice but to rescue the horses when the owner decided to relinquish them but realizes that additional funds will have to be raised for the mounting monthly expenses.

         One of the first steps, is simply getting halters on the all of the horses so they can have the medical attention – vaccinations, worming, dental work-  and grooming that they so desperately need. The four donkeys have been haltered but they still need to be approached carefully and are not easy to handle.

         Two of the mares have accepted a halter and the remaining five mares will hopefully come around soon.

         Joey, the stallion, will take a bit more work and Kinder is anxious to get a halter on him and get him transformed into what she refers to as a “Southern Gentleman,” aka, castrated. Joey’s castration will run about $250. Joey’s castration will run about $250. As the stallion, he controlled the herd and their access to food. Now Joey is in solitary confinement, in a pasture of his own, and the mares are grazing and getting their strength back. The horses are underweight by several hundred pounds each.  Horse maintenance can easily run $300 per month per horse, $40 for the farrier every six weeks, and  $125 per horse for annual teeth floating. They also need bloodwork, labs and Coggins vaccines, which cost about $165 per horse.

         The board and volunteers will be reviewing their fundraising options and are hoping the public will come forward with much-needed donations. You can learn more about the organization at www.eraf.org.  For further information, call 772-220-0150.