HELLO WORLD!  You may not want to know the facts of life relating to horse rescue & rehabilitation; however, Dreamchaser and the great work they are doing is sure to impress you, so please read on!

In her eight years of running Dreamchaser Horse Rescue and Rehabilitation, a non-profit in New River Arizona, founder Susan Thompson has never been busier,

The 5-acre rescue, home to what is affectionately called “The Mare Motel”, has 59 horses and burros, not to mention a host of other animals that were once neglected and or abused.

“People are hurting,” Thompson said.  “A lot of them have lost their jobs and at some point they’ve gotten to the point where they can’t feed their animals.  You wouldn’t believe how often the phone rings with people saying they can’t afford their animals.”

While the no vacancy sign is not on, Thompson has had to make some modifications at the facility to accommodate all of the animals.

Last month the rescue took on 12 horses from El Mirage, Arizona.  The organization was initially created to rescue mares and foals that are discarded by the drug industry. These horses are often auctioned to European slaughterhouses to be butchered into horse-meat.

In the case of El Mirage horses, Thompson said “the animals had been left in 10 by 10 stalls, without even enough room to turnaround. This went on for an extended period of time before being seized by government officials.” “The maltreatment led to the owner being prosecuted and imprisoned,” she said.

“They were extremely emaciated, just left to stand in two feet worth of mud and muck,”  Thompson said.  “The city of El Mirage called us and asked if we would take them in.  They had obviously not gotten proper feeding and had a host of problems with their feet, teeth and weight.”

For those that are aware an animal is being abused or neglected, Thompson said “the most efficient way to get help is to contact the Department of Agriculture, which has the right to remove animals from a property.”

Since getting the horses last month Thompson has already seen great improvements in the animals condition.

“It’s great to see them out in the pen,” she said.  “The first time we turned them loose in there they just looked at us as if to say, Really? We can trot and play and roll in the dirt?” They’d never been free.”

While one of the animals had to be euthanized the other 11 appear on the road to recovery.  Over the course of six months the plan is rehabilitate the animals spending much time on their feet and teeth, as well as helping them regain weight.

Thompson estimates that over the course of the next six months the rescue will spend $11,269 in vaccinations, medications, hay, grain and other expenditures on the animals. “Once we get them healthy we’ll saddle them up and see what it is they know, whether they simply need retraining or whether they’ve ever been trained before,” she said.

On average animals spend about a year at the rescue before they are adopted out.  Last year only six animals were adopted, down from an average year that is 12 or 13.

Thompson, said that she has a host of dedicated volunteers who help maintain the rescue. “Just being around the horses makes it worthwhile,” Susan said. “You can feel it, that you’re making their lives better.  Animals know when you mean them no harm.”

We end our introduction to Dreamchaser with a plea for your help.  Our horses  are now safe from slaughter and have come a long way in their recovery process.  Now we must support them until adopted by a new family.  The process is often long, and the sheer numbers are overwhelming but we keep persevering.

Volunteers, including our Board of Directors and myself staff the ranch. We ask for donations in order to continue providing hay, grain, hoof trimming, and medical help for these animals. All donations big or small help us tremendously and go directly to the care of our animals. Remember, donations including services are sincerely appreciated and Tax Deductible.

For those interested in volunteering, sponsoring horses or small animals, or just learning more about DreamChaser Horse Rescue & Rehabilitation, please feel free to stop by the ranch and meet our four legged friends, and dedicated volunteers first hand, or visit our extraordinary website at www.dreamchaserhorserescue.org or E-mail DreamChaser directly with donations and or questions to Thompson at Susan@dunrovinranch.com.

If we can’t continue, who will provide for them?

We do this for the love of animals!

Susan N. Thompson, Founder

A Registered 501c (3) Charity &  Accredited American Sanctuary

Dreamchaser Horse Rescue & Rehabilitation Inc.

4809 North Seventh Ave  -  New River, AZ 85087  -  Tel: 623-910-6530

DreamChaser Link

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