There’s a great organization in Virginia…Traveller’s Rest Equine Elders. The do great work, do a lot of outreach and education within the community. Give them a call, I’m sure they would be happy to give advice.
That is a very noble goal and you have already gotten a lot of terrific advice. Mine is, do a LOT of research, and be very careful and deliberate about how you set up every little thing - it is SO much easier to do things correctly the first time when an organization is small and starting out than to go back and change them later after the organization grows. Get lots of advice, from lots of different people - because many of them who think they are knowledgeable about nonprofits will be missing some crucial pieces. Most communities have a lot of resources available to help nonprofits - the NC Center for Nonprofits is a great resource, Triangle Community Foundation can probably connect you to someone a bit closer to you, start reading the Philanthropy Journal. . . the more you know going in the better your organization will be. And while you should absolutely visit and talk to as many rescues as you can, a well-run nonprofit is a well-run nonprofit. There are things you can learn from all sorts of other organizations, because all good nonprofits have a lot of basics in common.
The place that Libby was referring to is the Retirement Home for Horses (millcreekfarm.org). It’s been around since 1984, so they are obviously doing something right. I think they have now limited things to only taking service horses like police horses. I also believe that previously they charged something like $2000 up front when they accepted a horse, which is a wonderful idea if you can get it.
The concept sounds wonderful. I don’t think the word “rescue” goes over really well with the racetrack crowd, however.
I know that another organization that has permanent horses is TB Friends, and Joe is a whiz at gathering support and might be worth talking to. One of the things that he always did that was wonderful was every month he would list and thank everyone who had sent in donations, which is a really nice personal touch. And never say anything bad about anyone, even if they are an
SOB in real life.
Good luck.
Lord Helpus, after reading your longer explanation, I say got for it :)! I did recall you that had a JD b/c I remember you making very insightful legal observations on another thread.
Lord Helpus, after reading your longer explanation, I say go for it :)! I did know you had a JD b/c I remember you making very insightful legal observations on another thread. As I said before, getting the 501©(3) status wasn’t a big deal for me. I don’t think it will be for you. Good luck!
Meupatdoes I sent you a message but your mailbox is full
[QUOTE=betonbill;7051502]
The place that Libby was referring to is the Retirement Home for Horses (millcreekfarm.org). It’s been around since 1984, so they are obviously doing something right. I think they have now limited things to only taking service horses like police horses. I also believe that previously they charged something like $2000 up front when they accepted a horse, which is a wonderful idea if you can get it.
The concept sounds wonderful. I don’t think the word “rescue” goes over really well with the racetrack crowd, however.
I know that another organization that has permanent horses is TB Friends, and Joe is a whiz at gathering support and might be worth talking to. One of the things that he always did that was wonderful was every month he would list and thank everyone who had sent in donations, which is a really nice personal touch. And never say anything bad about anyone, even if they are an
SOB in real life.
Good luck.[/QUOTE]
Retirement Home for Horses is Mill Creek. Boy were we all surprised, you just never know until you check out a place thoroughly. Good luck Lord Helpus.
Please do NOT model yourself after Mill Creek.
Do a search on here and find some of the old threads. Lots of photographic evidence of what most would call abuse.
I see that the original post is almost 2 years old. Did the OP continue on with her plans?
If such a place exists, which would be wonderful, I imagine some of our COTH sleuths could find it …
These things rarely work out, but I would love a success story.
The OP is a regular poster on the boards currently, so maybe they could come tell us what happened.
I didn’t read this entire thread, but in case nobody mentioned it, I believe you have to receive a certain percentage of the rescue’s income from donations. If the people who are dumping these horses would contribute to their care, you could probably satisfy that condition.
I think it’s wonderful of you to do this and I wish you success.
I, too, just noticed this is an old thread! Hope it’s successful.
Don’t think OP got this running or hasn’t shared if she did, been several years since the thread was started.
I didn’t realize this was an old thread at first.
The Exceller Fund does mostly sanctuary work - they have a small percentage of horses that would be adoptable, but primarily it’s for retirement.
I volunteer with them frequently and they are above board and transparent.
http://www.excellerfund.org/
[QUOTE=Lord Helpus;7047553]
I feel strongly about starting a rescue for “old warriors” from the track. Horses whose useful life has been spent racing and who have little/no chance of a second career as a riding horse. [/QUOTE]
Your signature doesn’t specify, but did someone write that you’re from the Carolinas? Here’s something you might want to look into as a possible alternative. South Carolina has the SC Thoroughbred Retirement Program. Their main facility is at Wateree Correctional Institution near Camden, where former racehorses with second-career/adoption potential are cared for by select inmates (who are also going through the Groom Elite Program to prepare for jobs on their release). HOWEVER, the SCTRF also contracts with a small number of private farms that care for retired TBs that are not suitable for adoption/new careers. SCTRF actually pays some stipend to those farms for providing a place and care.
Since this is the type of horse you especially want to help you might try contacting SCTRF to see if you could be one of their retiree farms. I don’t know how flexible they if your farm is in NC versus SC but it would be easy enough to find out. If it’s feasible it would let you help some oldies but with fewer organizing hoops to jump through. Their website is www.TRFSC.org. They are part of the national Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, which promises lifelong care for retired OTTBs; they will always take the horses back from adoptees for any reason, and provide them continuing care.
There are other ways you can help them, too, through donations, fostering, etc.
I know about them because I’ve written a couple of magazine articles about TRFSC and their prison program at Wateree. Very nice people and an impressive program. Good luck with your own plans…
