Starving Katrina Horses

Rosalie · 01-29-2006, 03:51 PM

I'm new here, and hope you'll understand my dropping in...

It's been very busy elsewhere, after Katrina, and our work is far from over!

The coast of Louisiana is home to many farms that have been in families for four and five generations. This is low flat pasture land that was destroyed by both Hurricane Katrina, and then Rita as well.

Imagine what your pasture would look like if it had 14 feet of salt water in it! Not very edible! Now imagine your house and barn being swept away by all that seawater...

There are people in Vermillion Parish who have nothing but a few cows and horses left, and no money to feed them. They desperately want to keep their animals - they are all they have left in the world.

Hopeful Haven is an equine rescue in Shreveport,Louisiana which is helping these people as best they can with whatever donations they can get. Their volunteers have driven convoys of donated hay and grain every weekend in their own horse trailers, hundreds of miles....they are supporting 39 families, all with horses and cows to feed.

Rescue Ranch is an equine rescue in Plaquemines Parish, which once housed 3 horses. After losing their house to a tornado during Katrina, they now are caring for 36 horses, many of them injured by storm debris or colicking from the effects of trying to eat polluted forage before being captured. They even had a foal born right after the storm!

Each of these rescues are in desperate need of help and are 501(c)3 non-profits, meaning any donation is tax deductible. Their websites have a Paypal button by which to donate.

* * * * * * * * *
One cost-free, no risk way to help is to send Hopeful Haven
coupons for free grain.

We all got an Omolene Buy Two-Get Two Free coupon in our new issues of Equus this month.

If all you did was to mail that coupon, it would mean 100 pounds of free grain to someone who has less to their name right now than the price of a pizza!

Mail the coupons to:

Hopeful Haven
P.O. box 17763
Shreveport, LA 71138

* * * * * * * * *

Please visit their websites to see more, but also realize they have not been updated in a while, because both Debra of Hopeful Haven, and Lori of Rescue Ranch have been terribly busy saving the animals!

Their websites;

www.hopefulhaven.com www.rescueranch.net

If you have any questions, know other ways to help, or know anyone with a large trucking firm that could get donations of hay from the Southeastern states to their neck of the woods, please don't hesitate to email me at seacall@rcn.com.

Thank you so much!

luvs2ride79 · 01-29-2006, 05:34 PM

Ok, I am all for rescue and I donated a good amount of time (internet related and locally) and money for the Hurricane rescue effort in the beginning, but why are these families still being supported with free feed and hay? Yes, it is a tragedy, but they have had plenty of time to either sell their animals, lease them out, or move. I do believe in helping in a time of crisis, but the crisis has long past.

These people need to sell off animals until they get to a managable number. If there is no managable number, then that is very sad indeed, but life if hard, there are no free rides, sell the animals. Many MANY people have had to scrap everything and start over after this natural disaster. I have two houses in my neighborhood (Arkansas) housing people from hurricane destroyed areas. They lost everything. Why should we give cattle and horse farmers free hay and grain when they have had more than enough time to figure things out? Are we just helping them get by until the Cattle farmers receive their US Dept of Agriculture subsidies checks? They are due here soon... Plenty of people here in Arkansas have offered to buy horses and livestock, adopt them, house them free while people look for new homes. Very few have been taken up on it! Yes, it is sad to lose your property and your business, but life stinks and we all have to deal with it sometime or another.

Money and goods can be much more well spent on animals that are still displaced/abandoned, buying these horses and cattle, or giving to horse rescues that are out there rescuing horses in need (not giving free rides).

It just doesn't make sense to me.

Solsalia · 02-05-2006, 11:13 AM

These charities are not even listed with the BBB. Hmmmm. Very good post luvs2ride. Keep people thinking correctly on this instead of blindly giving money away that will probably not even go to helping people.

Rosalie · 02-05-2006, 12:19 PM

These are not people looking for a free ride. They are fourth generation farmers just trying to hang on and do what they know how to do for a living. Many of them are elderly, and have also lost everything else they own.

There will always be people looking for a free ride, but these are not them.

All I asked for was for anyone with an extra coupon to send it to an address.

The rescues listed are well known in the area, and have been well documented in the response to Katrina and Rita. There is ample information there, and the people in charge would be happy to speak to you if you have any questions as to their validity.

I really can't understand the vitreolic response, and hope that you are never in need, and get that kind of answer.

Blistering Winds · 02-05-2006, 12:24 PM

Rosalie....

You will find that several of us are "SUFFERING" and trying to hold onto our animals.

Unfortunately, those rescues won't do a darn thing, just because we haven't been hit by a hurricain, just a really bad drought.

There are farmers here in Amarillo that are selling out, because no one can help them.

Where's the help? Just because they got hit by a hurricain instead of a drought, BOTH Natural disasters, they get higher priority and can have a better RIGHT to keep their animals, compared to my area?

I'd love to help them, but my coupons went locally.

Sorry.

I'm all for helping. don't get me wrong, just you will find mix feelings currently among people.

Currently, my feelings are helping my local farmers through this drought.

My husband and I have already discussed the demise of my own horse if things get any worse.

Rosalie · 02-05-2006, 12:42 PM

I'm very sorry that is happening to you, and you probably more than others understand what everyone affected is going through. I would never expect you to part with your coupons if you needed them - on the contrary, would love to get you help if possible.

My request was of course directed to the many of us who are extremely lucky, and not suffering the effects of flood, fire or famine - just lots of coupons falling on the livingroom floor do no good until they fall into the right hands.

This isn't a contest, it is a goodwill effort to get some people the help they honestly need. I wish you better things in the future - rain, but just enough, and not a flood...

Blistering Winds · 02-05-2006, 12:51 PM

Sorry if I sound a bit bitter toward the cause.

But those of us affected by the fires, drought, etc are just frustrated that we aren't getting a LICK of help from the govt, rescues, etc.

It's been 6 months that we've been generous. We've taken in Katrina animals and people in this area. We spent a ton of money helping them relocate. Those that remain behind and can't seem to figure out that it is time to move on, well, honestly, we don't have any sympothy for them.

Especially now that we are in a crisis, and no one is coming to our aid.

luvs2ride79 · 02-05-2006, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blistering Winds

It's been 6 months that we've been generous. We've taken in Katrina animals and people in this area. We spent a ton of money helping them relocate. Those that remain behind and can't seem to figure out that it is time to move on, well, honestly, we don't have any sympothy for them.

Exactly! I had no problem helping in the beginning with free press, money, and goods. But people need to move on and figure things out by now. They have had plenty of time to get their proverbial sh!t together. If they're elderly, they need to smack their kids upside their heads and get them to take in their parents! If my parents were hit by all of this, I would have liquidated their stock and moved them up to my house while they got things figured out.

BW, I'm sorry to hear the rescues and such aren't coming to your aid. Is there anything I can do for you?

~Barbara

luvs2ride79 · 02-05-2006, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rosalie

These are not people looking for a free ride. They are fourth generation farmers just trying to hang on and do what they know how to do for a living. Many of them are elderly, and have also lost everything else they own.

There will always be people looking for a free ride, but these are not them.

All I asked for was for anyone with an extra coupon to send it to an address.

The rescues listed are well known in the area, and have been well documented in the response to Katrina and Rita. There is ample information there, and the people in charge would be happy to speak to you if you have any questions as to their validity.

I really can't understand the vitreolic response, and hope that you are never in need, and get that kind of answer.

If they are still receiving free hay and grain, they are getting a free ride... Unless the rescues are SELLING donated feed! Boy would that be disapointing and ILLEGAL...

I have now doubt the rescues are well known, I have talked to the lady doing the convoys and helped spread the word about them in the beginning. I was not trying to imply they are not legit. However, I am saying that their efforts are not well spent. These people need to take responsibility for their own animals and property and stop asking for handouts so long after the crisis.

~Barbara

pocahontas · 02-05-2006, 04:28 PM

I don't think anyone is in any position to judge what others are going through. One never knows until you have faced what one has gone through.
I struggle very much financially, but I help where and when I can with other people and or animals.

Rosalie posted some information which I don't see as a problem.
If you feel the need to help out in the situation she described then do so.
If you don't feel the need to, then don't.
I see as both being acceptable.

01-29-2006, 03:51 PM	#1
Rosalie Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6	Starving Katrina Horses I'm new here, and hope you'll understand my dropping in... It's been very busy elsewhere, after Katrina, and our work is far from over! The coast of Louisiana is home to many farms that have been in families for four and five generations. This is low flat pasture land that was destroyed by both Hurricane Katrina, and then Rita as well. Imagine what your pasture would look like if it had 14 feet of salt water in it! Not very edible! Now imagine your house and barn being swept away by all that seawater... There are people in Vermillion Parish who have nothing but a few cows and horses left, and no money to feed them. They desperately want to keep their animals - they are all they have left in the world. Hopeful Haven is an equine rescue in Shreveport,Louisiana which is helping these people as best they can with whatever donations they can get. Their volunteers have driven convoys of donated hay and grain every weekend in their own horse trailers, hundreds of miles....they are supporting 39 families, all with horses and cows to feed. Rescue Ranch is an equine rescue in Plaquemines Parish, which once housed 3 horses. After losing their house to a tornado during Katrina, they now are caring for 36 horses, many of them injured by storm debris or colicking from the effects of trying to eat polluted forage before being captured. They even had a foal born right after the storm! Each of these rescues are in desperate need of help and are 501(c)3 non-profits, meaning any donation is tax deductible. Their websites have a Paypal button by which to donate. * * * * * * * * * One cost-free, no risk way to help is to send Hopeful Haven coupons for free grain. We all got an Omolene Buy Two-Get Two Free coupon in our new issues of Equus this month. If all you did was to mail that coupon, it would mean 100 pounds of free grain to someone who has less to their name right now than the price of a pizza! Mail the coupons to: Hopeful Haven P.O. box 17763 Shreveport, LA 71138 *** * * * * * * * * Please visit their websites to see more, but also realize they have not been updated in a while, because both Debra of Hopeful Haven, and Lori of Rescue Ranch have been terribly busy saving the animals! Their websites; www.hopefulhaven.com www.rescueranch.net If you have any questions, know other ways to help, or know anyone with a large trucking firm that could get donations of hay from the Southeastern states to their neck of the woods, please don't hesitate to email me at seacall@rcn.com. Thank you so much!**

02-05-2006, 12:24 PM	#5
Blistering Winds Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Augusta, Kansas Posts: 31,605 Images: 807 Blog Entries: 16	Rosalie.... You will find that several of us are "SUFFERING" and trying to hold onto our animals. Unfortunately, those rescues won't do a darn thing, just because we haven't been hit by a hurricain, just a really bad drought. There are farmers here in Amarillo that are selling out, because no one can help them. Where's the help? Just because they got hit by a hurricain instead of a drought, BOTH Natural disasters, they get higher priority and can have a better RIGHT to keep their animals, compared to my area? I'd love to help them, but my coupons went locally. Sorry. I'm all for helping. don't get me wrong, just you will find mix feelings currently among people. Currently, my feelings are helping my local farmers through this drought. My husband and I have already discussed the demise of my own horse if things get any worse. __________________ 20 lb club: New year Start: 175 Goal: 130 Current: 158 Total loss this year 17 lbs.

02-05-2006, 12:51 PM	#7
Blistering Winds Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Augusta, Kansas Posts: 31,605 Images: 807 Blog Entries: 16	Sorry if I sound a bit bitter toward the cause. But those of us affected by the fires, drought, etc are just frustrated that we aren't getting a LICK of help from the govt, rescues, etc. It's been 6 months that we've been generous. We've taken in Katrina animals and people in this area. We spent a ton of money helping them relocate. Those that remain behind and can't seem to figure out that it is time to move on, well, honestly, we don't have any sympothy for them. Especially now that we are in a crisis, and no one is coming to our aid. __________________ 20 lb club: New year Start: 175 Goal: 130 Current: 158 Total loss this year 17 lbs.

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01-29-2006, 05:34 PM	#2
luvs2ride79 Senior Member+ Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Arkansas, USA Posts: 3,793 Images: 26	Ok, I am all for rescue and I donated a good amount of time (internet related and locally) and money for the Hurricane rescue effort in the beginning, but why are these families still being supported with free feed and hay? Yes, it is a tragedy, but they have had plenty of time to either sell their animals, lease them out, or move. I do believe in helping in a time of crisis, but the crisis has long past. These people need to sell off animals until they get to a managable number. If there is no managable number, then that is very sad indeed, but life if hard, there are no free rides, sell the animals. Many MANY people have had to scrap everything and start over after this natural disaster. I have two houses in my neighborhood (Arkansas) housing people from hurricane destroyed areas. They lost everything. Why should we give cattle and horse farmers free hay and grain when they have had more than enough time to figure things out? Are we just helping them get by until the Cattle farmers receive their US Dept of Agriculture subsidies checks? They are due here soon... Plenty of people here in Arkansas have offered to buy horses and livestock, adopt them, house them free while people look for new homes. Very few have been taken up on it! Yes, it is sad to lose your property and your business, but life stinks and we all have to deal with it sometime or another. Money and goods can be much more well spent on animals that are still displaced/abandoned, buying these horses and cattle, or giving to horse rescues that are out there rescuing horses in need (not giving free rides). It just doesn't make sense to me.

02-05-2006, 11:13 AM	#3
Solsalia Senior Member+ Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Idaho Posts: 1,944 Images: 118 Blog Entries: 7	These charities are not even listed with the BBB. Hmmmm. Very good post luvs2ride. Keep people thinking correctly on this instead of blindly giving money away that will probably not even go to helping people.

02-05-2006, 12:19 PM	#4
Rosalie Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6	These are not people looking for a free ride. They are fourth generation farmers just trying to hang on and do what they know how to do for a living. Many of them are elderly, and have also lost everything else they own. There will always be people looking for a free ride, but these are not them. All I asked for was for anyone with an extra coupon to send it to an address. The rescues listed are well known in the area, and have been well documented in the response to Katrina and Rita. There is ample information there, and the people in charge would be happy to speak to you if you have any questions as to their validity. I really can't understand the vitreolic response, and hope that you are never in need, and get that kind of answer.

02-05-2006, 12:42 PM	#6
Rosalie Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6	I'm very sorry that is happening to you, and you probably more than others understand what everyone affected is going through. I would never expect you to part with your coupons if you needed them - on the contrary, would love to get you help if possible. My request was of course directed to the many of us who are extremely lucky, and not suffering the effects of flood, fire or famine - just lots of coupons falling on the livingroom floor do no good until they fall into the right hands. This isn't a contest, it is a goodwill effort to get some people the help they honestly need. I wish you better things in the future - rain, but just enough, and not a flood...

02-05-2006, 04:28 PM	#10
pocahontas Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,523 Images: 124	I don't think anyone is in any position to judge what others are going through. One never knows until you have faced what one has gone through. I struggle very much financially, but I help where and when I can with other people and or animals. Rosalie posted some information which I don't see as a problem. If you feel the need to help out in the situation she described then do so. If you don't feel the need to, then don't. I see as both being acceptable.