Looks like they are naming names finally.
The article makes it sound like the horses will be returned in the near future. I just spoke with the SPCA and they make it sound like it is an indefinite time frame. As of yet, they have been unable to provide any tattoo information, even on horses that had to be euthanized. They sound completely overwhelmed. Obviously, I want my mare back asap. Youād think the SPCA would have the same goal, because, as noted, horse care is not cheap. Iād like to take over the care and feeding of my horse for them. I simply could not get any sense of urgency from them ā I felt like I was asking too much to at least be notified if my mare had indeed survived.
We did finally get in touch with the farm owner today who claimed to have seen our mare loaded on an SPCA trailer. Whether that is true or not, remains to be seen.
Question: Is it possible to post pictures to this forum? Iām thinking it would be a good idea to get my mareās picture on the internet. Itās possible that some of the foster farms might view the thread and recognize our mare. Iām looking for any way to speed the process and let people know that she does belong to people who care and want her returned. Since she had a previous knee injury, my concern is that they will opt to put her down, if they havenāt already.
Donations for horses in foster care (NY)
Donations:
http://www.fingerlakesspca.org/Press%20Release%20090308.htm
In the News:
http://www.weny.com/News-Local.asp?ARTICLE3864=9136999
http://www.wetmtv.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=4fda5589-b9f6-48ad-ac44-6f73616ed3ba
http://www.stargazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008809040310
Actually, not a bad idea - with a twist 
Maybe phone the SPCA back, tell them the same concern (you probably already have and your face is blue) but then ask them if you could a) email or b) fax a picture of the mare.
Then offer to fax the other ownership info that you have. All along stressing that that would be one more horse off their hands (physically and financially) and that you would remain available for contact and updates etc. etc. etc. (legal details and all that )
CYF ā I said that and more:) All as nicely but as firmly as I could. I KNOW they are doing the best I can, and I sincerely appreciate it. Itās just so frustrating on this end to not even be able to find out if she is alive. I offered to do whatever they needed. Heck, Iād drive up there this weekend and compile a list for them if they wanted me to! I also emailed them pictures - I donāt know for sure, but my guess is that the majority of the SPCA employees are not horse people, so this is challenging for them. The woman I spoke to on the phone certainly seemed perplexed and overwhelmed by the idea of finding one particular horse out of this large group. If I was allowed to come up there and search myself, I promise you Iād find her in short order.
If we get too frustrated ā I will probably check in with them daily - they may find us on their doorstep.
You sure do put your money where your mouth is!
Wow, they really WOULD be lucky to have you show up on their doorstep! For non-horsey people, it must be a nightmare trying to identify each horse (and 80ish of them at that!) without knowing the ins and outs of normal horse descriptions. For someone to VOLUNTEER to do it, thatās amazing and Iām hoping theyāll take you up on it! :yes::yes::yes:
Granted itās a lot of hours out of your day, but for what a great need. And just think (from their side) - theyād have someone matching physical descriptions, taking evidentiary photos, STARTING AN INDIVIDUAL file for each horseā¦ 1/2 the āofficeā work done (and we all know the paperwork tends to be the kicker).
Great thanks and kudos to you.
Definitely keep on them, arrive unexpectedly and tell them youād spoken to āsomeoneā and were there to do the photos and write ups as discussedā¦
Then you just might be able to find her, and fasterā¦ :winkgrin:
Dang youāre great! 
:yes:
Paperwork and detail I do have experience in:) I really do think that an experienced horse person could compile a pretty decent list in a relatively short time period.
I donāt fool around when it comes to the people and animals that I love. I would consider it time well spent. Iāve never been involved in anything like this at all, but it seems the organizations involved are being very cautious - almost to the point where I do not really think they will accept outside help at this point. I understand, to a point. I may have to put my time and energy into getting a stall ready for her at our barn. Weāre full, but we have one stall at the back that needs cleaned out and rehabbed. I guess Iāll use the power of positive thinking, and work on that so that we definitely have a big, comfy space for her to come home, relax and recover in.
My biggest fear though is that sheās already gone.
Soccermom I donāt envy your position and my heart goes out to you and all those that are worried about their horses that were in this womanās careā¦
But considering the magnitude of this seizure if I were one of the foster farms or the investigators, I would worry that in the chaos of the 1st few days that horses will be lost in the shuffle if well-meaning folks or not so well meaning folks claim horses and thus scattering them, even if you are the righful ownerā¦So unfortunately, patience is going to have to prevail hereā¦Putting your info out there may help identify where she is, and hopefully give you some peace of mind that she is in caring hands nowā¦
I canāt imagine any rescue or foster organization to be at the ready for something of this depth to happenā¦and then have to triage and remove so many horses
Try to be thankful that so many came out to help with this process and that foster homes were organized so quickly for so manyā¦ Kudos for those in the area that opened their farms and care in this situationā¦My hat goes off to youā¦
A photographer who works for the Evening Tribune in Hornell, NY is writing a follow-up story and would like to talk to anyone who has boarded horses at the farm. For more info, please read her post at the bottom of p. 3 in this thread:
Oh gosh, only just saw this thread.
Well thank God they have been taken away. I hope they will āallā make the road to full recovery.
Will put a check for $100 in the mail tonite. Canāt give much more at present, but surely all dribbles will help.
Bless those sweet mares, what a horrible condition they are in.
Soccermom, Iām hoping you can get your mare back aliveā¦ Good luck!
soccermom and others, the reason they canāt āreleaseā any of the horses is b/c they are evidence. It is not until a court trial and afterwards, as in the decision rendered, that they are then available.
having had dogs who had been part of seizure cases, this I know. Itās up to the DA and Judge to decide who gets custody and when they can be released.
Soccermom, we are probably an hour or so from there, If you are coming up and need anything let us know.
Here guys- from an article posted above
They are considered evidence until the investigation is complete, and canāt go back to their original owners.
āI have to protect the security and the welfare of these horses. I have to make sure that nothing else happens to them or no one tries to go to any of these locations and remove horses,ā said Scott Mazzo, the Finger Lakes SPCA Animal Cruelty Investigator.
The SPCA is financially responsible for horses in foster care.
Theyāre looking at medical and food costs of up to $20,000 just in the first month, and it could be longer before the horses are returned to their owners.
It is up to a judge to decide when the animals are returned.
SOCCER: Get the name of the humane officer involved and tell her about your horse. Volunteers are great but they donāt have all the facts. They canāt give you your horse back yet, but they can KNOW where they will send her. If you canāt get a hold of a humane officer they all have board of directors, give them a call. Protect your horse until you get a firm YES that she will be sent back to you.
Those in central NJ - Iām serving as a drop-off point for blankets and supplies. Email me at JanPWeber@yahoo.com and Iāll give you directions if you have something to contribute. Weāve gotten a donation of 100 bales of hay - anyone going in that direction (Finger Lakes)?
Donations
I e-mailed the SPCA but iām sure theyāre so busy, I work at a tack store and me and a few friends are trying to make a care package for the horses but we wernāt sure if they wanted specific brands (like for wormer) or if there are certain items they need more than others.
if anyone has this info it would help us get our box together faster.
Meredith - Another Chance 4 Horses has is posted on their website www.ac4h.com, but I copied it here for you:
Hay - First cutting Timothy and grass hay immediately. Other kinds of course will be needed after careful start to feeding program alfalpha hay, pellets or cubes.
Grain - Safe Start, Mare and Foal initially other higher protein can be used later and will also be accepted.
Wormer - about 160 tubes needed of Safeguard and 80 tubes of Ivemectin and 80 tubes of Gold.
Medicated shampoo & Thrushbuster
Gas cards for the transporters greaty appreciated.
Farriers and equine dentists - who will donate services for a meal and gas money.
Blankets - used but in good shape or new appreciated! I know itās warm during the day but the nights are getting chilly -fall and winter are coming and seizure cases can drag on at times.
I read on a news report that the cost for the first month alone to care for and rehab these horses is estimated at $20,000ā¦ I know anything and everything we can do will help tremendously!
Just a thought here but If some of you are a member of a breed specific organization (as in a state QH association) you may want to make the members aware and they may be willing to contribute to this cause as well.
If anyone had a horse with Gerry, or has been to the farm and was directly involved with her or her operation, Rob Price at 607-776-2121 or scanews@stny.rr.com is interested in hearing from you ā¦
Iāve been involved in a much smaller seizure (24 live horses, 1 dead) with 10-12 people calling, claiming to own the horses, I can tell you it is hectic and crazy. Your first concern is getting the horses in, trying to sort them out, getting your evidence together (vet exams, IDāing horses, documenting conditions). I imagine it has GOT to be frustrating as an owner - and I can tell you it is frustrating and overwhelming as a rescuer.
Have charges been filed yet? If so, I would contact the DAās office. Let them know you owned a horse at the farm and are concerned. Offer to testify and provide photographs of the horse before she went there. Tell them you would like your horse back and wouldnāt mind being a āfosterā (or whatever) until the case is resolved in court. I know we were not able to release any horses until the court date, and in our case we had the judge order the horses owned by other people returned to them (that protected us, too - didnāt make it look like we were just giving horses away).
Anyway, I know this isnāt exactly what you want to hear, but I hope it helps.
