Editorial

O.K.

So we all have an opinion, I usually keep mine pretty much to myself, but I feel this needs to be said. 

Someone, who shall remain nameless, recently told me and I quote "All of the selfish money grubbing people claiming to be in rescue that go out and buy horses and then resell them or claim they are adopting them out, are profit grabbers". I was extremely shocked about this particular statement as it came from someone who had been in animal rescue for years.  In my opinion, every animal that was rescued because it was suffering is just as deserving as another, no matter if it was bought, given up for free, abandoned, neglected or previously sentenced to death. We are all in this together, no matter how we choose to go about rescuing animals in need. The animals don't care about the about how it was done, only that they are leading a better life.

This is not the first time I have heard this type of comment. Why, Why, Why, do people bash someone else's rescue efforts? Jealousy? Competition for funds? Can't stand the fact that some one else is doing a good deed too?  Disgruntled adopter that did not make the grade? What is it? I would like to know.

Well my temper has hit the boiling point. All animal rescue work is very important!! Just because some chose to rescue PMU animals and others stick to litigating cases against Abusive owners, yet other  dedicated folks snatch horses from the brink of slaughter, does not mean they are not rescuing or doing some good. Each and every one of us are doing our small part to end the suffering of others that cannot speak for themselves.  As far as competition from new rescue groups, all I can say is HOORAY for more help! No the funds are not there for everyone, but there is  never enough anyway.( I personally am not, repeat NOT good at raising funds), but if we each help each other and combine our efforts then there are more places to put the animals in need. None of us can be all things to all animal rescue efforts. So we need each other. I for one am not above placing neglected animals in other rescue groups or accepting help. 

It's a terrible shame when someone comes to me and says no one will help. If  I had not  guidance and advice provided to me, I would still be lost. Yes there are people out there that do not belong in animal rescue or think they can take a bunch of free or cheap animals and turn a huge profit. Most find it a quick lesson that it doesn't work that way. Still others cannot say no and end up needing rescued themselves. I personally am not an animal rights activist, but I am an animal welfare enthusiast.  I must say though without animal rights activists raising public awareness to an all time high, many animal welfare groups would not exist.  All  are still living in the dark ages to some extent due to public ignorance. 

Sometimes the reputation that comes from animal rights activists groups makes our  job harder, and sometimes fear of dealing with an animal rights activist group motivates people to do the right thing. However the folks in charge feel about our views, I am always thrilled when the results are positive. It means more animals will be saved! I do rescue more than just hooved animals, I am proud to say I have also had opportunities to rescue raptors, birds, cats, and dogs.  While I may not always agree with hard core animal rights group activities, or new views of not having pets or service animals, and injuring people and animals to prove a point. I feel they have left behind a great legacy of animal and public  awareness that enables all of us to further educate the public and law enforcement officials. It's their efforts that have opened our own eyes and  many doors for us. We do owe them our thanks. This does not mean we have to resort to their tactics or give in to the "no pet or animal use views", presented by some. After all what would become of all the millions of pets except total inhumane destruction. The very thing we are all supposed to be fighting against.

Indeed animal rescue is hard and most of the time a thankless job, except for the personal pleasure we gain from helping these animals. We know that we are doing something good and right. Everyone whom attempts to end the suffering of innocent animals and people,  is saying let there be no more victims, in doing so, we learn how to rise above our own petty daily struggles. 

So I give my thanks and best wishes for all animal rescue and welfare groups, from dog catchers, exotic animals, wild life preservations and rehabs centers, to hooved animals. Instead of complaining about others, let's get out there and do what we were all born to do, together. 

Breeders: It's been my experience that no animal, no matter how well bred, how expensive, how many titles earned, or how rare, is above ending up in need of being rescued.

Many animals are terribly over bred including horses. I know that statement is going to tick off a lot of horse breeders, but I am entitled to my opinion! So here is where I borrow  one of my favorite sayings  from some wonderful person in the  dog  rescue community, "IF YOU DON'T RESCUE....... DON'T BREED"!!!!! This should be the motto for all domestic, wild, and exotic animal breeders. Not everyone is a bad breeder, but irresponsible breeding contributes heavily to the abuse and neglect of animals of every type. Responsible breeders are willing to come to the aid of their products when needed. They are willing to give to rescue organizations instead of demanding an animal back to make more profit. They breed quality animals with a bright future. Most of all they RESEARCH THE HOMES AND FOLLOW UP ON THEIR ANIMALS THAT WERE SOLD!!! If there are problems, responsible breeders do not hesitate to educate the owner, or take the animals back.

Many equine breeders have been contacted by us at one time or another and told of the fate of their "product". Many will say how awful what can I do to help. A few send  checks to help out, some ask or demand  the animal back (possibly only wanting to resell it for money), and then there are the others that are so terribly upset and fitful over whole situation, but you never hear from them again. Oh sure they would like to help, but it would cut into the profits made from their "product". I would like to take my favorite saying even farther : "If You Don't Rescue or Contribute to Rescue Efforts Made by Others..... Don't Breed". We all bear the responsibility for the things we do while we are here.  It  is the animal rescue groups that serve the very necessary purpose of taking in the unwanted, abandoned, neglected, abused, and other wise condemned to suffering and death, "products" of an uneducated and sometimes selfish species and turn it into something beautiful and purposeful.  It is us that restores the dignity, usefulness, love and balance in what ever capacity we can, for the animals we rescue.  We recreate quality of life, where there was once waste and devastation. We are recyclers of the animal world.

Sometimes when I get upset or depressed, thinking all of my efforts are not getting us far enough, fast enough, my husband reminds me that even if we save just one animal, we made a big difference to that animal. He will quote is favorite story of a man walking along the beach, picking up starfish and tossing them back into the sea. Another man approaches and asks "Why are you bothering ? There are hundreds of them, you will never be able to save them all. So what does it matter?" The man bends down and picks up another starfish and gives it a toss into the water,  looks the passerby in the eye and replies "It matters a great deal to that one".  While my heart  aches for those that were lost and the ones we could not save, I still  rejoice for those that I know are safe. I know that many of you share the same heart aches and joys. It doesn't matter how you chose to do it, only that you cared enough to try.

United, animal rescue groups own 63% of the USA, divided.......Well we are still trying to save animals in our little piece of the world.  Thanks for listening to my harsh opinions about the rescue bashers among us.