I need your help.
A relatively new rescue met me last year at Midwest Horse Fair. They spent the weekend familiarizing themselves with our program, and offered to help out in any way that they could. We understood that to mean working in partnership to help horses with housing and feed until they can be placed.
They offered to go to Iowa to pick up two horses that needed foster care. I had attempted to get them in foster care for some time, but the adopter was going to have a new baby and absolutely would not be able to care for all the horses she had there. Miraculously, Janesville Horse Rescue stepped up and offered to foster them and transport them.
Over a month ago the director asked me to please try to speed up the adoption of the two horses, reporting that one of them was now trained to ride by their daughter. I proceeded, along with office assistant, Cindi, to send interested persons their way. One person came out and fell in love with one of the horses. She had the paperwork in hand. One of the directors of the horse rescue attempted to "sell" Sadie to her at an astronomical price. The woman stated she was understanding the horse was an ASAP horse and could not be sold. The director stated he could do as he wished with the horse.
What we thought was a partnership of equine welfare organizations has turned into an "I own this horse and can ask as much as I want for it and you are not going to do anything about it."
I would encourage all of you to help ASAP by voicing your opinion. We are also going to be contacting the placing owner of the horses and diplomatically try to resolve this situation.
The documentation supports the fact that the rescue knew their role with ASAP. One of their best friends, also a horse rescue, adopted a horse from ASAP last year. She filled in the necessary adoption forms and was approved to adopt. With this knowledge, has the possession of a horse become a money game to horse rescues? This is most disheartening. As we endeavor to only find the best possible homes for horses, some of the horses in our care are, ultimately, gifted. If we were to put a price on our horses' heads, how unfair would that be? We rely on donations and sponsorships and some adoption fees to keep us in existence. Never before have we charged for a horse as a sale item. Furthermore, we offer free exchanges of horses to people who may not be satisfied with a horse they initially choose. Maybe this is why we have been around for 16 years now. Please research new organizations before getting involved!
I'll update you soon.
Susan
