501(c)(3) rescues, sanctuaries and safety net organizations do not receive any local, state or federal funding. Donations help keep us running. There are some grants available but not many, and the competition for grant funding is significant with hundreds of organizations applying for the same grants.

The short answer is no. We may be able to negotiate a discount here and there, but it is very infrequent. We pay for feed, hay, medications, farrier, veterinary care - and more. On occasion we may receive a call from a private individual who wants to donate something such as hay, feed or other supplies after the loss of their horse, which is very much appreciated.

Actually, very few rescues have paid staff. Most rescues run solely on volunteer power. Our organization is 100% volunteer run. Large rescues may have some paid staff, but they still largely rely on volunteers.

Every donation goes directly to caring for the horses or directly to our safety net program to help individual horse owners and their horses. We take no salaries or expenses from the organization.

Our safety net program (EquiHelp) provides help to individual horse owners in Virginia who suffer a short-term hardship, such as an illness or loss of job, and because of that hardship are struggling to care for their horse/s. Support is typically hay and feed to enable individuals to keep their horses at home. We also consider providing other needs such veterinary and farrier care on a case by case basis. This short-term help prevents people from having to sell or give away their horses, thus putting them at risk of ending up at auction, which puts them at risk of entering the slaughter pipeline.

We only take in horses when we have the space and funds to do so - this is the foundation of responsible rescue. It ensures we can fully provide for the horses in our direct care. We do a great deal of networking horses from their current homes to new homes when an owner can no longer care for their horse/s. Doing this keeps rescues available for critical need cases - such as seizures from law enforcement - and it can be less stressful to horses to move directly from current to new home vs. making multiple moves. It is also the basis for our EquiHelp program - helping to keep horses in their homes when their owners have a short-term financial hardship.

If someone wants to surrender their horse we first have a conversation to understand the situation so we can best determine how we can help. If it is a short-term issue we will look at providing our safety net services. If it is a situation where there are no other options, we will work with collaborators to help find a safe landing for the horse. Our collaborators are rescues, sanctuaries, private individuals and others we work with.

Donations are always needed, and you can make a donation here. We also have a Chewy wish list (link) with frequently used items we always need. Sharing our page on social media is very helpful, as is letting your friends and family know about us. You can also read our blog about how to become an equine advocate for other ideas.