On Tuesday, I hopped three planes, then picked up a rental car and drove several hours to meet a woman whose rescue organization in a remote part of the Midwest is in trouble. Specifically, it’s been charged with multiple counts of cruelty and is in bankruptcy proceedings. Most specifically, some 250 animals, mostly horses, are in desperate need of placement, and the clock is running out.

Sadly, this scenario is all too familiar.

I first learned of the situation from Pets Alive, a Middletown sanctuary that is taking in goats, sheep, llamas and miniature horses from the ailing organization. In the following days, the owner hinted at her desperation. Her hay supply was running low. She was out of funds. She had no community support, and “Farm Services” was threatening to send her animals to slaughter to recoup some of the money she owed them for leased farm equipment.

I let out a deep sigh. If we were going to help, I wanted to see with my own eyes both the animals we’d accept and the ones who’d remain behind: perhaps we could network to place them. I booked my ticket, hired “Horse Jitney” (www.horsejitney.com) to bring our animals home, and was on my way.

Three days and three thousand miles later, we’re nearly home. In less than thirty minutes, ten miniature horses and ten little hens will join the CAS crew; seven horses will continue on to Pets Alive, who’ll add more animals to their brood next week when “Horse Jitney” returns with a second group of animals.

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I’ll be blogging in upcoming days and weeks about this situation and the animals left behind who desperately need our help. It’s going to be a Herculean task, friends. Meantime, it’s time to welcome our new friends home.

Please click on the button below to donate to this effort!