With February as Responsible Pet Owner’s Month, it’s a perfect opportunity to salute responsible pet owners. Most of us remember the euphoria of getting our first pet and the thrill of every pet thereafter.

At RVR Horse Rescue, our success is dependent on finding loving adoptive homes for our rehabilitated horses. Every adoptive family allows us to rescue another horse in need.

The Long Haul

But what happens after the thrill of adoption wanes? As humans, our lives are ever-changing. How a pet fits into our lifestyle sometimes becomes challenged. The lifelong commitment to a dog or cat is a lengthy 8-20 year commitment. That’s significant enough, but the commitment to horse ownership is even greater. The horses’ potential 35-40 year lifespan cannot be taken lightly. As pet owners, we need to seriously consider the long-term ramifications of any pet, but especially the long-lasting equines.

Save our Seniors!–Sarge 32 years

Advantage of Senior Horses

One excellent way to make a shorter-term commitment while still enjoying horse ownership is to adopt a senior horse. Twenty year-old equines are considered seniors, but most still have many years of good life left. Many seniors are more mellow and tolerant than their younger counterparts.

RVR Horse Rescue’s “Save our Seniors” program promotes the adoption of senior horses as pasture pals or as barn buddies for training novices on grooming and other horse handling.

Whatever your choice of pet, make an informed choice.  Doesn’t every animal deserve a lifelong commitment?

Coming Soon! SAVE OUR SENIORS! Stay Tuned!

Featured photo: Marji Lexton of Kindheart Photography

RVR Horse Rescue of Riverview, Florida is Verified by Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries

November 27, 2017, (Riverview, FL) – The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), the only globally recognized organization providing standards for identifying legitimate animal sanctuaries, awarded Verified status to RVR Horse Rescue as of November 27, 2017.

Verification means that RVR Horse Rescue meets the criteria of a true equine sanctuary/rescue and is providing humane and responsible care of the animals. To be awarded Verified status, an organization must meet GFAS’s rigorous and peer-reviewed animal care standards which are confirmed by a site visit and they must also adhere to a demanding set of ethical and operational principles. The verification status also provides a clear and trusted means for the public, donors and grantors to recognize RVR Horse Rescue as an exceptional organization.

“We are proud to announce the Verification of RVR Horse Rescue,” said Valerie Taylor, GFAS Program Director-Equine. “The dedication of this organization to the rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming of equines-in-need in Florida is tremendously commendable, especially as all their work is carried out solely by an all-volunteer personnel base. In addition, the work being done by RVR to bring educational opportunities regarding equine issues to the community is helping to increase awareness of equine needs.”

“We are honored to earn our verification status from such an amazing organization,” said Shawn Jayroe, Executive Director of RVR Horse Rescue. “We are extremely proud of our volunteers and community supporters, and the countless hours of preparation they put into making this possible.”

The GFAS Equine Accreditation Program is made possible by a generous grant from The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® and the Kenneth Scott Charitable Trust.

GFAS Verified Badge

About Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries
Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization dedicated to the sole purpose of strengthening and supporting the work of animal sanctuaries, rescues, and rehabilitation centers worldwide. The goal of GFAS in working with and assisting these animal care facilities is to ensure they are supported, honored, recognized and rewarded for meeting important criteria in providing care to the animals in residence. GFAS was founded in 2007 by animal protection leaders from a number of different organizations in response to virtually unchecked and often hidden exploitation of animals for human entertainment and financial profit. The GFAS Board of Directors guides the organization’s work in a collaborative manner. While the board includes those in top leadership at The Humane Society of the United States, International Fund for Animal Welfare, and American Anti-Vivisection Society, all board members serve as individuals dedicated to animal sanctuaries. www.sanctuaryfederation.org.

About RVR Horse Rescue
RVR Horse Rescue is an all-volunteer organization that provides rescue, rehabilitation and re-homing to horses and donkeys in need. From its beginning as a rescue serving the Tampa Bay area, RVR is now recognized and called upon by law enforcement agencies and other rescues throughout the state of Florida. RVR has earned a reputation for stepping in when no one else can. RVR’s medical partners and volunteers have the dedication and expertise to handle the worst cases of starvation, injury and abuse. RVR functions as a hospital, with the ability to provide 24-hour critical care when necessary. RVR recognizes that it is not only abused horses that need a second chance. In 2016, RVR became accredited by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, and we now use our expertise to rehabilitate injured racehorses, providing them a quality post-racing life. To diminish the number of horses needing rescue, RVR provides support to horse owners in the form of gelding (neuter) vouchers as well as feed and hay support in times of need. Adoption into a loving home is RVR’s goal for every equine that enters our gates. 176 horses have found homes since 2011. There are no deadlines or expiration dates for horses whose adoptability has been lessened by age, health issues, or emotional challenges. RVR will continue to provide them with food, shelter and medical care, along with a hefty dose of loving attention from volunteers. RVR is committed to the enrichment of the Tampa Bay community through our love of horses. We offer educational programs for children, visiting schools and senior communities and hosting events at the rescue for Scout troops and other groups. We currently have three miniature horses training for certification as therapy animals so we can expand our presence to hospitals and nursing homes. We are keenly aware that by fostering engagement between humans and horses, we will simultaneously spread joy and knowledge, and increase awareness of equine needs. For more information, visit https://rvrhorserescue.org/ or call 813-280-9299.

About the ASPCA®Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is the first humane organization established in the Americas and serves as the nation’s leading voice for animal welfare. One million supporters strong, the ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services. The ASPCA, which is headquartered in New York City, offers a wide range of programs, including a mobile clinic outreach initiative, its own humane law enforcement team, and a groundbreaking veterinary forensics team and mobile animal CSI unit. For more information, please visit www.aspca.org. To become a fan of the ASPCA on Facebook, go to http://www.facebook.com/aspca. To follow the ASPCA on Twitter, go to http://www.twitter.com/aspca.

RVR Horse Rescue is one of only twelve grant recipients!

Riverview, Florida— The ASPCA has awarded RVR Horse Rescue a $10,000 grant to help eliminate a significant obstacle in their their rescue efforts.

“Our lifesaving work has been hampered by the lack of a reliable truck,” said RVR Horse Rescue Spokesperson, Kelly Ford. “The ASPCA grant funds will support the purchase of a truck and will positively impact every aspect of the work RVR does. It will allow us to more easily transport horses needing rescue or medical treatment. We will be able to make feed and hay deliveries for the Angels safety net program, our LAR (Large Animal Rescue) team will be able to haul equipment and a trailer for rescue missions, and our CLEAR educational outreach program will be able to bring equine education to the public.”

“It is such an honor to receive recognition from the ASPCA for the work that we do,” said RVR Horse Rescue Founder, Shawn Jayroe. “We have not only benefited from their grant programs, but also from their guidance and partnership. We appreciate that they believe in us. However, the grant was only possible due to the support of our incredible volunteers and donors, who contributed to a successful Help a Horse Day event, one of the key elements that led to the award.”

But their goal of purchasing a desperately needed truck is only partially met with the grant funds. The balance will need to come from generous donors and future fundraising efforts. Tax deductible donations may be made through their website.

For more information, please visit RVRHorseRescue.org.

About RVR Horse Rescue

RVR was founded in 2004 by Shawn Jayroe and received 501c3 status in 2011. RVR specializes in taking in the worst cases of abuse and neglect. Over 180 horses have come through RVR’s gates suffering from starvation and physical wounds of abuse. At RVR they are rehabilitated and re-homed with loving families. Horses whose age and health status make them less adoptable remain at RVR in the loving care of rescue volunteers. Horses that arrive at RVR too late to be saved or who are terminally ill are comforted by the volunteers during their remaining time. RVR is an entirely volunteer run organization.

To find out more, please visit www.rvrhorserescue.org or www.facebook.com/rvrhorserescue.

One of the most trying cases we’ve faced at RVR Horse Rescue was of tiny Warrior, one of four mini’s rescued in 2012. Warrior was starved by his owner, as we’ve unfortunately seen before, but his story went public and resulted in serious political backlash for RVR.

The case dumped an enormous amount of stress on our devoted team, but we overcame the adversity, banded together stronger than ever, and continue our relentless fight for equines in need.

Nearly four years later, Warrior’s spirit is still alive to those he inspired in his final days.

Warrior’s Namesake is Born

An RVR fan, Charles, proudly announced the recent birth of his new foal, named Warrior. Charles stated, “Name is in honor and memory of a precious foal in 2012. Shawn Jayroe, this is for you and RVR, horse angels.”

Our original Warrior was too far gone to be saved, but now his name will live on in another beautiful mini!

New little Warrior

The Original Warrior

The following excerpt from “A Healing Haven – Saving Horses and Humans at RVR Horse Rescue” describes the details of our original Warrior’s story.

“One of our most significant cases began when a local veterinarian was called to euthanize a horse in Plant City that had supposedly fallen off a porch. He immediately became suspicious about the claim when he arrived at the property. Of the four miniature horses there, all were in various stages of starvation and neglect, but two were far worse than the others. The vet refused to put down the horse, but called us instead.

Little Warrior hovered at death’s door. The horse that had supposedly “fallen off the porch” had actually been starved to the point of collapse. He simply lay motionless on the ground.

I’ve been rescuing horses for so long that I think I’ve seen it all, but sometimes the human capacity for evil still astounds me. Every case of clear neglect and abuse angers me, but I was enraged when I came on this horrific scene. Warrior had been tied on a patch of sand where he’d crumpled. No food, water, or even grass were within his reach. He was tiny. Miniature horses are normally fat little butterballs at 350 to 400 pounds. Warrior weighed half that. His dark drab coat draped over his bones, showing every contour. It was tragic.

Unfortunately, we’ve seen too many cases of this type of abuse. What made this one even more detestable was this baby was losing his life only steps away from the owner’s porch. She literally had a front-row seat to watch him waste away to a slow, cruel death.

Miniature horses don’t require much food to keep their compact bodies healthy. A measly cup of food a day, or about $10 a week, is all it takes. Knowing how long Warrior endured the starvation just infuriated me. I can’t understand or accept the mentality of someone who can treat a supposed pet that way.

We had to threaten the owner with a criminal investigation before she agreed to surrender all the minis. There was no way we were leaving with any of them still in her care.

It was out of the question for Warrior to walk to the trailer, but four of us were easily able to lift him using a sling. He barely budged with the movement. His head perked up out of curiosity, but he was otherwise a pile of dead weight. Fear and confusion clouded his eyes, although he settled into the back of the truck quickly.

He warmly accepted the love and compassion we showered on him. I guessed that the attention and affection he received in those minutes once he was in our care were the most he’d seen in years.

We carted his buddies Spirit, Sandy, and Sandy’s colt, Lily back to RVR for their recovery as well, although none were as desolate as Warrior.

At the ranch, we dove right into Warrior’s treatment. His neglected hoofs had overgrown to the point of being ridiculous. They’d grown four inches longer than they should have been, making it nearly impossible for him to stand until the farrier clipped them.

He gobbled up the bits of hay we offered during his exam—probably the first food he’d eaten in a very long time. Our compassionate volunteers rubbed his back, kissed his nose, ran fingers through his black mane, and willed him to live.

His dim eyes were glazed over and he could barely move, but Warrior licked our outstretched hands and nudged them with his nose. He accepted the love we gave and reciprocated in kind. His previous owner had nearly killed him, but Warrior still continued to love.

The pathetic little guy was barely present. His abuse had gone so far beyond tolerable that he mostly just laid still. We worked in shifts, turning Warrior over manually every couple of hours. It took several of us to hoist him up and steady him on his feet. He could stand for only fifteen minutes at a time before he’d collapse from exhaustion.

After two days, we found another horse rescue, Beauty’s Haven, near Ocala, who had a sling small enough for Warrior. The sling would allow us to suspend him, but it meant we’d have to commute nearly two hours to maintain his care. But, as I’ve always seen, people stepped up to the challenge. After we transported Warrior to Beauty’s Haven, we spent another two days nursing him in his new upright position.

But it wasn’t enough. Fourteen-year-old Warrior lost his remaining shred of life only four days after his rescue. We had given our all despite the towering odds stacked against the poor boy.”

Shawn holding Warrior’s head

Click here to read more about A Healing Haven – Saving Horses and Humans at RVR Horse Rescue.

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