Hope Pastures at breaking point

[cuffey]

www.facebook.com/pages/Hope-Pastures/86123442510

*URGENT* Hope Pastures is now at crisis point as are many other animal charities. There are an overwhelming amount of unloved, abandoned, suffering, starving and neglected Horses, Ponies & Donkeys in the Yorkshire area.
We currently have 5 PONIES in emergency foster homes & 3 PONIES waiting to come back to HP from thier loan homes where they are no longer required, as well as having 60 horses pon

ies and donkeys on our waiting list.
2 YOUNG MALE PONIES ARE DUE TO BE DESTROYED THIS WEEK after they were found straying and haven't been claimed, they are unwanted as they require passporting, vaccinating, hooves trimming, castrating and worming as well as plenty of feeding up and TLC...SADLY WE WILL HAVE TO TURN THESE TWO LITTLE BOYS AWAY AS WE HAVE NO SPACE.
Rescue spaces are urgently required, and funds to pay for emergencies to be housed in a foster home until space can made at HP, FOSTER HOMES COST US £100 A WEEK AT PRESENT so any donations are gratefully received.
PLEASE CAN ALL ANIMAL LOVERS AND HORSEY PEOPLE SPREAD THE WORD FAR & WIDE, WE DESPERATELY NEED HOMES FOR AN ASSORTMENT OF HORSES PONIES AND DONKEYS SO WE CAN HELP THOSE AT DEATHS DOOR HAVE A SECOND CHANCE OF LIFE... PLease call us on 01132614344 if you can help, or email [e-mail]

[specialized]

Unfortunately this has been in the press for weeks now with all the rescue charities going into winter with no space, there is talk of up to 6000 being abandoned this winter and the only practical option for many of these will be pts, as what future faces them even if they can be temporarily rehomed over the winter.
The basic facts are that there are too many horses being bred and something has to give.

[highlanderpony2002]

I agree that is what makes me so mad about people breeding more and more there isnt the homes for all of them so why breed even for yourself when so many face such a dire future Please everyone thinking of breeding next year for what ever reason please think again and buy a good foal the colour size and sex you want wont do much to stop people doing it again but at least you wont be adding to the problem

[jinglejoys]

Instead of putting the male donkeys down why not send them to the Donkey Sanctuary?

[wills]

Things like this make me feel so sad and angry. As much as I hate to see a young life (or any healthy life) wasted I would much rather these animals were destroyed than being passed from pillar to post and ending up suffering. The amount of adds you see these days "filly foal at foot and in foal for 20xx" people are so irresponsible.

[cookie]

jj, I think its male ponies, not donkeys likely to be pts.

All the charities round here are full too. Friend had a little mare signed over to get by the police just before the police had her pts the other week as they couldn't find anywhere to take her
mare is safe now

Sent from my GT-I9100 using proboards

[sarahbing]

I think we need to differentiate between a short and long term view here. In the long term, I totally agree there are too many horses and ponies being bred for the current demand. However, in the short term, horses and ponies are suffering, and people like Hope Pastures are working tirelessly at the 'coal face' to alleviate this suffering. They do not encourage indiscriminate breeding in any way, nor do they create a 'market' for such horses. they are merely trying to clear up other people's mess.
So, whilst we all agree that in the long term, people should think long and hard before breeding, in the short term, organisations like Hope Pastures need our help. I'm sure money would be welcome but in these difficult times, a bag of feed or an old rug would be appreciated. I know Sophie personally (she took on Molly, our DG rescue) and whilst she would agree with the long term perspective, she would also very much appreciate help, any help, right now

[clara81]

I saw this on my FB and shared it but unfortunately am in no position to help at the moment. What stood out to me most was that they have 60 ponies on a waiting list. Does that mean that there are people trying to palm off non-rescue cases on them? Why can't people accept responsibility for their own animals? I accept there might be the very odd occasion where people find themselves very suddenly unable to manage but it can't genuinely happen often. I have a 25yo pony who is costing me a fortune to feed at the moment and if something happened like I lost my job or whatever I would have to have her put down but I wouldn't expect Hope Pastures to take her, it's just wrong.

[cuffey]

Having had a scare this year, after renting for over 30 years, my grazing was sold from under me, the estate refused to allow me to buy (the Lots were huge) and the buyer wanted £13,000 an acre from me--he paid £5000. I thought my 2 oldies had come to the end of the road yet they are both fit and healthy.
However I have managed to rent grazing so life goes on.
No way would I expect a sanctuary to take mine, yet they are unsaleable.
I can totally see how people end up in a mess.
I make regular small donations to 2 charities and volunteer for a third--cannot do more.