(Windham, Maine) October 27, 2016:
Nine (9) emaciated horses were removed from their neglectful owner by Maine law enforcement agents and placed at the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals. The herd was living in Washington County without food, adequate water or protection from the elements as required by Maine law. Today, the nine can rest easy as the Society has been awarded legal ownership.
Upon their arrival at the MSSPA on August 8, 2016, some of the horses were death-struck. The horses, all with prominent hipbones, ribs and spines, received the lowest possible score on the Henneke Body Condition Scale. All of the horses had overgrown hooves, intestinal parasites, and were infested with lice. Each horse required extensive dental care as well.
After three months of rehabilitative care, during which the legal process required confidentiality, all nine horses have gained significant amounts of weight. All have received necessary veterinary care and treatments from a farrier. Individual refeeding plans were developed by long-time Society President, Marilyn Goodreau, using alfalfa pellets and other high-quality products from Blue Seal Feeds of Windham.
Throughout their recovery, the horses have demonstrated affection to the volunteers and staff caring for them each day. Legal transfer of ownership of the herd to the Society was cause for celebration at the River Road farm. Soon, all nine horses will complete their courses of rehabilitation and be available for adoption.
To see photos or follow the “Neglected Nine” on their road to recovery and adoption, visit the MSSPA’s Facebook page or website at www.msspa.org.
The mission of the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals is to provide refuge, rehabilitation, and placement of seized equines; support the placement of surrenders, and educate the public. Its vision is the elimination of equine abuse and neglect. The Society is a unique animal shelter. Originally founded in 1872 to protect the horses who pulled Portland’s streetcars, today the Society operates New England’s premiere horse shelter. The Society provides full-time staffing and access to all necessary rehabilitative services for the animals. Once recovered, the horses are offered for adoption.
The MSSPA is a tax-exempt, 501(c) (3) and receives no federal, state or local funding. The organization is funded entirely by a combination of donations, bequests, grants, and fund-raising activities. The Society does not charge for its services.
The farm is open to the public daily from 1-4 P.M.
