February 5, 2008: Urgent Help Needed to Fund Emergency Surgery for Mare

Scout arrived at the Return to Freedom sanctuary almost a year ago, 1 of 29 horses that were rescued from the floor of the Cavel slaughter plant in Illinois when a federal court ruling shut down the slaughter house. While her background was unknown to us, we knew that this gentle 15 year old mare had been thrown away by someone, left to endure the frightening experience of the auction feedlot, the inhumane transport to slaughter and almost met her end in the slaughter house kill box. By a miracle, she was spared at the 11th hour.

Here at Return to Freedom Scout has been slowly learning to trust humans again, accepting an occasional soft scratch on her neck. It looked like this sweet mare could finally relax and leave her painful past behind her. That is until last week when Scout suffered an unexpected blow. She appeared to be suffering a mild colic episode and was immediately taken to the Alamo Pintado equine veterinary hospital. After days of treatment and round-the-clock care she was not responding. Blood tests and other exams indicated some kind of trauma in her small intestine. As her condition steadily declined, and all non-surgical options were exhausted, the vets advised us that surgery was the last option to save this mare.

She deserves the chance to have a happy ending. So this morning around 7:30am the decision was made to go forward with surgery. With the 2007 drought that doubled Return to Freedom’s hay bill, and another recent surgery, Scout’s situation presents a very tough financial obstacle for us. We need your help once again. Our supporters have never let us down and continue to stand by us in our fight to save America’s last wild horses. Please help in anyway that you can. Every donation adds up and makes a difference.

You can donate online via paypal here on the Return to Freedom website
Please specify “Scout” in the notes so that we know to use your donation for Scout’s surgery.

You can also donate by mail:
Return to Freedom
PO Box 926
Lompoc, CA 93436

Or by phone:
Simply call (805) 737-9246 and donate over the phone with a credit or debit card.

Please be sure to let us know your donation is for Scout. On her behalf, and behalf of all the horses here, thank you!