Windamere Horse Haven calls for foster and sponsorship support to stay afloat during COVID-19 pandemic
Still reeling from the Cudlee Creek bushfires, an Adelaide Hills horse rescue has now been smashed by COVID-19 – and can’t do its usual fundraising. So it’s getting innovative.
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A prominent SA horse rescue has been hit with a double whammy in just three months. Windamere Horse Haven not only lost their Harrogate farm during the Cudlee Creek fires but now faces dwindling finances and support due to COVID-19.
Unable to run fundraisers for their horses through usual garage and stock sales, the Hills animal rescue is now looking for other means to stay afloat.
This includes fostering, with all costs paid for by the association, and horse sponsoring for as little as $10 a week.
President David Mews said the association, which is now based in Mount Torrens, currently had 13 horses ready to meet families.
“Most horses that come into our care are abandoned, so for example, they may have been on agistment and someone didn’t pay their fees so horses are left there to fend for themselves,” he said.
“There are also cases where the owners died suddenly and the horses have nowhere to go.
“Then there are horses that have been neglected or abused and we, true social pressure or direct approach with the RSPCA, get the owner to agree to surrender the horse, or otherwise they face prosecution.
“That way the horse comes to us, we rehabilitate it and then find it a new home.”
Mr Mews said the association worked closely with state-recognised vets and the RSPCA to ensure all animals received appropriate care and training before being made available to the public.
“Wherever we can, we try to get horses under saddle because they are easier to rehome than companion horses, especially right now,” he said.
“With coronavirus restrictions and the cost of hay, you can’t even give horses away at the moment, because they are an expensive item to own.
“On top of that, we’re starting to get phone calls from people saying that they have lost their jobs and they can’t afford to feed their horse anymore.
“However, with our dwindling sponsorships and funds coming through, we can’t take many more on as we can’t afford to feed them either or we’ll end up in the same situation.”
Mr Mews said he appealed to the public to consider one of their many options to keep the association afloat.
He said adopting a horse for a small fee would help support and make room for another animal, while fostering would alleviate feeding costs.
The other means of helping, he said, was through donations.
“Because we’re a registered charity, anything over $2 is tax deductible. so people can donate on a once-of or regular basis or what most people do is sponsor a horse,” Mr Mews said.
“So they can pick a horse they like and sponsor it for as little as $10 a week and that will help pay its feed, vet and farrier costs.
“It’s a great idea for a family or parents with horse-mad teenage daughters that can’t afford a horse or have room for it.
“Through sponsoring, they can come and visit the horse and help make a difference in their life.”
Click here to find out how you can help.