$11 Donation to Help Feed 64 Rescued Farm Animals

The Issue: Cost to Feed Rescued Farm Animals

The U.S. Government Accountability Office reports that though domestic horse slaughter ceased in 2007, nearly 138,000 horses were sent to Mexico or Canada to be slaughtered in 2010. Many horses have been rescued by organizations such as Dreamchaser Horse Rescue and Rehabilitation, but then those organizations are left with the burden of feeding the animals. The cost of hay in Arizona has risen dramatically in the last few years due to recent droughts, wildfires, and farmers choosing to grow more profitable crops such as corn, according to an article in the Arizona Republic. In 2010, Dreamchaser spent $8 per bale, but in two years the price has increased to $22 per bale.

The Campaign: Providing Hay for Rescued Farm Animals

If this Grassroots campaign raises $792, then Dreamchaser Horse Rescue and Rehabilitation can provide four days’ worth of hay for rescued farm animals on its ranch, thanks to matching donations by the Glenn family. Each additional $264 raised will be used to provide another day’s worth of hay for the animals. Dreamchaser currently shelters more than 75 rescued animals, including horses, burros, llamas, goats, sheep, and pigs, many of which were destined for slaughter. With so many animals, the ranch goes through roughly 12 bales of hay per day to keep them fed.

Glenn family is matching up to $500 in honor of their daughter, Kayleigh Rose, and her love of horses.

Dreamchaser Horse Rescue and Rehabilitation

Initially created to rescue mares and foals that were discarded by the drug industry, Dreamchaser Horse Rescue and Rehabilitation now works to save horses and other farm animals from starvation, abuse, abandonment, and slaughter. Volunteers work to gentle and train the horses, many of which come to the ranch wild, until they're comfortable enough to join the herd. On average, a rescued horse spends roughly one year at the ranch. The ultimate goal is to place every animal into a loving, permanent home through the ranch’s adoption program. The organization also works to educate the public about the inhumane treatment of animals and provides enrichment programs for local foster children.

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