Rescue Organizations Struggling With Excess Horses

TROY (NEWS CENTER) -- Tough economic times, call for tough cost cutting decisions and for many families throughout the state those difficult choices extend to their animals.

At the Last Chance Ranch in Troy, the owners said they're receiving more than a dozen calls per week from horse owners who simply can't afford to feed and maintain their animals.

Catherine Mesaric and Mary Myshrall currently care for 11 horses and they can take up to 15 during the winter. But they say while the owners are having trouble paying for their horses, they're having trouble raising enough money to care for the surrendered animals.

"There are many nights where we wonder what will happen next," Mesaric said. "We're not unrealistic to think we can save them all, but we can save a good number of them working with communities and working with organizations other than ourselves."

Mary Myshrall said it costs more than $30,000 per year to run the Last Chance Ranch and while they receive donations from local stables and farmers -- the ranch receives no funding from the state. Horse rescue organizations said while the state isn't completely to blame for the increase in the number of surrendered horses, they haven't done enough to prevent the situation either.

The state's Animal Welfare Program is a division of Department of Agriculture. Seth Bradstreet, the Commissioner of Agriculture, said while the department realizes these rescue groups are struggling, there is very little state money available to aid them in their mission.

The Last Chance Ranch will be the focus of two upcoming fundraisers in the next few weeks to help cover some of their operating expenses.

Mary Ricker, a Junior, and Hermon High School is organizing a Spaghetti Supper to support the ranch. Ricker, who lost her horse last spring, said she knows how hard it is to lose an animal and wanted to help.

The supper will be held at Carmel Elementary School from 5 to 8:30 pm. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children. The second event is a benefit concert on January 31st at 7 pm at The Unity College Center for the Performing Arts. The concert will feature "The Travis Lloyd Band" and is open to the public.

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