Submitted by Haven Animal Sanctuary
Celebrate Help a Horse Day by helping horses at Island Haven Animal Sanctuary. The sanctuary will host an open house/barn, from 1-5 p.m., Sunday, April 23 to introduce sanctuary horses to the community. Food and drinks will be served.
“Spread the love” by raking arena sand (generously donated by Forrest and Erin Enterprises), in the intensive care equine pasture for horses like Maxx and Tallulah. Cushing’s disease prevents these horses from being out in the pasture. Bring a truck to take manure for your garden.
The sanctuary will compete for a chance to win up to $25,000 in grant prizes from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. This nationwide competition is for equine rescues and sanctuaries to raise awareness about the lifesaving, year-round work they do to care for abused or neglected horses. Horses have been central to the ASPCA’s work since its founding 150 years ago, when Henry Bergh stopped a cart driver from beating his horse, resulting in the first successful arrest for the mistreatment of a horse in 1866.
“The ASPCA Help A Horse Day contest is a wonderful opportunity for us to welcome the residents and businesses of Friday Harbor into our barn to help spread awareness about the at-risk horses in our community,” said Julie Duke, founder of the Island Haven Animal Sanctuary. “Horses are amazing creatures who deserve a special place to retire, and we hope our local supporters will come out on April 23 to help us win a $25,000 grant so we can continue our lifesaving efforts for years to come.”
Island Haven Animal Sanctuary provides forever homes for horses and farm animals, who, while still able to lead a quality life, are unable to find placement due to old age, chronic illness, handicaps, temperament issues or other factors, or who have been rescued from neglect and/or abuse and require rehabilitation. This means most sanctuary horses have special needs that require medication, supplements, specialized hay, additional farrier visits, acupressure, physical therapy and anything else makes them more comfortable and healthy. Sanctuary members also provide assistance to horse owners who need to re-home their horses.
Contact Duke at 472-1040 or islandhaven.julie@gmail.com to RSVP. For information, visit www.islandhaven.org and www.sanjuanislandexcavating.com.
