My Love for equines is
a life passion, and I am categorically and unconditionally devoted to realizing
my project/ life dream: opening an Equine
Refuge/Rehabilitation center/retirement farm.
please do not hesitate to me @: vmckeagan@hotmail.com
Mission Statement
Countless articles and books regarding Horse Rescue are available to any web/book savvy person. I have studied hundreds of them regarding retirement, slaughter, and rehabilitation of Equines. The Mission of Caballum Beatus will be to offer a safe, professionally operated sanctuary, refuge, and retirement home for Horses that are abused, neglected, and pointlessly destined for slaughter.
The need for a horse refuge in the Montreal area is obvious, and pressing. As with every species of domesticated animals, their overpopulation, the ignorance of humans, and their neglect, is a huge problem. The needless slaughter of equines is an issue that demands immediate attention. Particularly, in Québec where it is public knowledge that our SPCAs and animal rescue facilities lack public funding, and are severely overpopulated. After much research, I have found no official horse refuges in Québec. The known facility that is a registered charity is located in Alexandria Ontario (Refuge RR). Harness racing is also, and the value and quality of care provided for racehorses has gone down drastically.Coupled with this, since 2007, our slaughter industry has increased tenfold, due to the slaughter industry being banned in the U.S.
Plan of Action
Horses are known to most people as expensive, and a possession reserved for the wealthy. Few people know that when their owners do not find any good use for them, most of these horses are disposed of in an inhumane fashion. The first goal of the sanctuary will be to rescue horses from auctions that are destined for slaughter. At Auctions, the horses that nobody bids on are bought for a low price by meat dealers. I believe that more can be done for them. These horses almost always have many health conditions typical of neglected or abused horses that demand not only proper veterinary and blacksmith care, but specific diets, and exercise regimes. Nevertheless, with proper care and training, they can eventually make great companions, trail riding horses, or family horses. The goal is for some of them to be adopted into the equestrian public; under the proper conditions. But, some of the more stressed or deserving individuals will be kept at the sanctuary for the remainder of their lives. I will select a number of horses for use in equine therapy, or other social programs. Horses are intelligent, highly emotional and communicative animals. My belief is that even though some are severely abused or neglected; they can learn to trust humans again, bring us a great deal of gratification, and go on to live useful and fulfilling lives.
Secondly, there are many horse owners or horseback riding schools who wish to get rid of horses they can no longer care for, can no longer find use for, or no longer want. For many reasons, sometimes financial, but also because the horses are advancing in age, or are no longer fit enough to be used to work hard or to compete anymore. I have seen many horses sent to be slaughtered simply because they were lame (long term leg injury that prevents them from being ridden). We also want to provide retirement services for show horses. But most times, owners would just like the horse to kept in a proper retirement home, and do not wish to make monetary profit, but they also do not want to have to pay to support the horse in its old age. Horse owners unfortunately do not have many options in disposing of their older or injured horses to which they feel an attachment. These horses are difficult to sell. In my opinion, they deserve proper retirement conditions and good care, in return for the life of servitude, work, and the unconditional affection and companionship they provided humans with over time. Many of these horses are in good health and can still be used for light work, teaching of beginners and people who may me less confident around horses. Also, geriatric and/or injured horses require specific attention, in their diet, dental and veterinary care that would be provided at Caballum Beatus.
The horse industry in Québec is very busy, and extremely profitable. Unfortunately, very little of this profit is used in seizures of abused and neglected horses. Experience has shown that seized horses in Quebec have no place to go. There is a great need for a humane sanctuary for equines rescued from horrible situations. A permanent, comfortable home will be provided for severely abused or unadoptable horses. It is evident that the slaughter of horses, who have served, helped, and provided profit and joy to their owners is inhumane.
Procedures
Horse selection
Surrenders by Owners: Horses that can no longer be cared for by their owners will be taken in with a surrender fee (to be determined). We will also request sponsorship and/or donations from the owners. Especially for ex-show horses that have wealthy owners. There will be an ownership surrender form to be signed, that will include a clause about possible adoption, or permanent retirement. We will also use our judgement and experience in these cases.
Purchases
at Auctions: Budget, donations,
and fundraising will be a crucial factor in every area of this activity. We will use our judgement and experience to
attempt to pull horses from auctions. Also, we will try and concentrate/bid on
horses that seem neglected, or ill-used.
As well, we will try and bid on young horses that seem sound in order to
offer them a chance for adoption, if they seem to be slaughter-bound. It will be important to be very weary of meat
buyers, as identifying them and outbidding them will be crucial. Also, we will try to identify and out-bid
riding school buyers, and rental/trail riding buyers, or re-sellers.
Seizures by SPCA and/or Other Refuges: Horses, ponies, and possibly donkeys, mules, goats and llamas will be welcome residents of the refuge. Any seized animals will be immediately put under 24 hour per day supervision and care of our directors, and seen by our appointed veterinarian. The utmost diligence and good-quality care will be taken with these animals. We will hopefully be able to offer help in the action of removing/transporting these animals from abusive situations to the refuge.
PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT US @
caballumbeatus@live.ca
