Grace Foundation rescues Texas slaughter horses

Rescued Arabians at Grace Foundation that were abandoned without food, water, or care. Prince and Princess are not available for adoption.  Princess suffers from melanoma tumors and Prince is destined to become a therapeutic horse. Such beauty and vibrancy of life being at the mercy of heartless individuals is an astonishingly sad reality. If it were not for rescuers like Grace Foundation, it would be shameful to be part of the human colleclive that has fostered such disdain for life.

Should a doctor who decides he’s going to add more luxury to his bank account go free when he abuses horses in an ill-begotten aim to become a breeder? Should a family that leaves the country and flies away leaving two gorgeous Arabians abandoned without food, water, or care be allowed to ever return to the United States outside a jail cell? Should a Texan man housing dozens of horses that are starving and sick be considered a real human being? Perhaps there is little justice that will ever be witnessed in such circumstances and perhaps ‘what goes around comes around’ eventually; but, at least some of these horses have managed to survive the greed, selfishness, and stupidity of such criminally inhumane behavior due to the ongoing efforts of rescue and aid by The Grace Foundation of Northern California.

 

Volunteer Dave Fulton modestly states that he installed irrigation systems along with the help of many others. Dave doesn't know yet that all volunteers are mini heroes and deserve many thanks. Thank you Dave for helping the horses and their friends in need. Photo by Susan Raines

Out on 608 acres of rolling California hills populated with oak one can find the horse rescue facility that is run by a dedicated staff of animal lovers alongside 400 volunteers of which approximately 130 are regular workers on the grounds 1-2 days a week. Individuals like Dave Fulton find something of value that touches the heart and the moral logic of anyone concerned with the welfare of rescued horses and other animals. This retired man could perhaps be out golfing, fishing or sitting in a theater but chooses instead to come out to the Foundation to help install irrigation lines, plants trees, and keep busy tending to needed repairs or upgrades. During a visit one might also encounter newer volunteers tending to manure shoveling and other tasks to help keep the grounds clean and the horses healthy. Over near one of the several corrals you might find volunteers from the Pacific Coast Horseshoeing School at work shoeing, nail trimming, and tending to the feet of the many rescued horses. 

Volunteers Elisha, Valerie, and Andrew Spillers with Staff member Lisa Molera. Photo by Susan Raines

Although the rescue and sanctuary land is leased from MJM Properties for a contractual $1.00 a year, there are no easy drops in the bucket to insure their funding.   The Grace Foundation is entirely privately funded and has no government grants. Donations come from concerned citizens and organizations as well as from fundraisers and facility use of their children’s area. In the current economic struggles, fewer donations arrive to support their efforts while the number of abandonment and abuse cases rises due to the lack of financial means to care for animals that require considerable attention. What once seemed like a cool idea becomes a major financial breaking point that has the potential to end in abuse.

Horse manure is available for compost from the Grace Foundation. Photo by Susan Raines.

Many of the horses and even some kittens, dogs and other rescued animals are up for adoption. The fact that adoption is an option does not signify that one should hop on the wagon and get a horse or even a dog. According to Lisa Dowling of the Grace Foundation staff, the purchase or adoption price of a

Grace Foundation also rescues ponys. Meet PollyAnna. Aint she cute! Photo by Susan Raines.

horse or any other animal is the least expensive aspect of animal ownership. Living on a piece of fenced property doesn’t mean you are equipped to care for a horse or pony even if ten acres stretch out beyond your front door. Just because you always wanted a horse and your child jumps up and down at the idea of riding a pony doesn’t mean you will have the necessary dedication and commitment to keep an equine creature. Lisa and the other foundation staff members work at the facility in order to help give the animals a second chance at life with a sanctuary home on the grounds or through adoption to those who qualify. No commercial or breeding uses are allowed in adopted animals and anyone interested in submitting an application must demonstrate sound mind and means for horse or pony care. 

The slaughter houses for processing horsemeat have been closed in the United States but this doesn’t stop the practice of selling horses by the pound for consumption by both animals and humans. Auctions continue to take place where horses are bought for resale or slaughter in Mexico and even overseas. The Grace Foundation follows leads and auctions in order to preserve the life of horses that

You can meet Mercedes at The Grace Foundation of N. CA. Photo by Susan Raines

have been used for racing, breeding, work, entertainment, and other purposes by those who just don’t care about anything beyond a dollar. They must buy the animals by the pound in order to prevent their slaughter. After the rescue purchase is complete, the animals are brought to the El Dorado Hills grounds to be treated, healed if possible, retrained with caring human hands and either made sanctuary residents or put up for adoption after thirty or more days. 

Part of Grace Foundation includes an area called ‘Pony Town’ where a miniature town of facades is built up with a church, saloon, toy store, apothecary, and other township structures. Pony Town is used for events such as birthday parties that help fund the program while also offering hands-on experience with animals and nature. Games, crafts, animal petting, pony-riding and a delightful setting are some of the features that the children might enjoy. Therapeutic programs also utilize the miniature town while providing assistance to autistic or troubled children. These programs also assist the funding of Grace’s rescue operations.

The most recent rescue seizure from Texas has brought thirty new horses to the foundation that will shortly hold an open house to meet the horses. While the animals are available for adoption they will not be ready for release for at least another thirty days. If you are interested in adoption, donation, volunteering, or just knowing more about Grace Foundation of Northern California, you can access their website here. The website contains applications for adoption and the Hero program which offers surrender means to those who have encountered extreme financial difficulties and can no longer care for their equine friends. You can find extensive details, photos and videos at the website; please note that some video is labeled with caution due to its explicit imagery of abused animals. You can contact the foundation at (916) 941-0800 or email here.  Animal viewing is by appointment or during open house hours only. Please see the twenty-image slideshow below that features rescued animals of Grace Foundation.

You can find more articles by Susan Raines in the Sacramento Festivals Examiner column, the Sacramento Events column, as well as the Sacramento Spirituality column.