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Western slope Hay Bank
The Western Slope Hay Bank is designed to prevent the abandonment, neglect, euthanasia or relinquishment of horses when their caretakers are struck by the difficult economic times. We help you feed your horses in times of need.
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Education
Provided By:
Colorado Unwanted Horse Alliance CUHA
And End of the Trail Rescue
western slope hay bank
The Western Slope Hay Bank is designed to prevent the abandonment, neglect, euthanasia or relinquishment of horses when their caretakers are struck by the difficult economic times. Through End of the Trail Rescue we encounter many people who genuinely want the best for their horses, but are struggling to meet their needs due to many factors. The high prices of hay, difficulty with a job situation, a medical issue and natural disasters are all issues we support and lend a helping hand with. The hay bank is a logical way to help these struggling horse owners bridge the gap in a difficult time and continue to care for their horses responsibly while they work to get back on their feet.
“The people we help are often very hardworking individuals who don’t step forward to ask for assistance until it is their very last option,” says Kathy Hamm, Director of End of the Trail Horse Rescue, which operates the Hay Bank. “These people don’t have any other options, and if we don’t step forward to help them, they are placed in a situation where they have to choose between feeding themselves and feeding their horses.”
“The mission of the Hay Bank is to help keep horses with their families, so they don’t end up getting sold at auctions. Realistically, the majority of them are going to go to slaughter,” continued Hamm. “Many people recognize their horses’ value as extending far beyond their pedigree, which would be an unimaginable option for them to go to auction.”
“We were receiving many calls from responsible horse owners wanting to relinquish their horses to our sanctuary because they felt they had no other option,” Hamm continued. “Creating the Hay Bank allows us to offer people another option and extends our outreach far beyond what the room in our sanctuary could provide.”
We would like to thank the Colorado Unwanted Horse Alliance for partnering with us to help horses and their owners though this most difficult time. The Hay Bank is supplied completely through grants, donations, and community support.
If you would like to offer support to the Western Slope Hay Bank in the form of hay or cash donations, please contact End of the Trail Rescue, Inc. (970) 901-0502.
All donations are tax deductible.
over 20 years of experience
Important Facts
End of the Trail Rescue provides emergency relief, shelter, care, rehabilitation foster/adoption services for abused, abandoned, and unwanted horses, as well as educating the community on the link between animal abuse and domestic violence. We are a Horse Sanctuary offering horses a second chance to be cared for, nurtured, and valued; to provide shelter and humane treatment to horses that have been abused, neglected or unwanted; and to educate the community with reference to animal abuse as well as how or where to report it.
Our End of the Trail Rescue & Dream Catcher Therapy Center have witnessed, for over 20 years the healing impact that horses have on individuals with mental and physical challenges. It only seemed natural for us to provide a place of healing and sanctuary for our four-legged therapists, so End of the Trail Rescue was established as a sister Non-Profit with Dream Catcher Therapy Center.
“Watching a horse and child, both from environments filled with abuse and neglect, neither in control, leaning on each other to rebuild broken dreams, trust, and love is truly awe-inspiring.”
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FAQs & Information
The Link is the connection between animal abuse or neglect and violent crimes committed against people. With companion animals becoming more important in today’s households, the interconnection between animal abuse and human violence is now more prevalent than ever.
Animal abuse is “the tip of the iceberg”: the way animals are regarded in a family is a window into interpersonal relationships and family dynamics. Investigators who find animal cruelty, abuse or neglect are rarely surprised to see other issues lurking beneath the surface.
In a study of domestic violence shelters across the country, 85.4% of shelter directors encountered cases in which women disclosed animal abuse.
Eighty-eight percent of homes with physically abused children also include abuse or neglect of the family pet. Studies show that adults who are about to become spousal or child abusers will attack animals in the household first. These attacks should be taken as warning signs by other people in the home.
Many domestic abuse victims delay leaving the situation for fear of what the abuser will do to the animals left behind.
State Statute 18-9-202 Cruelty to Animals is summarized as follows:
A person commits cruelty to animals if he or she knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence or intent mistreats or deprives the animal of proper food, water, vet/farrier care, or proper housing.
For more information, contact Kathy Hamm.