Hi Everyone,

I'm sorry it's been awhile since I've posted. It's been a super busy summer planning our benefit, but more on that later.

I'm writing today, because of a story that has really affected me.

A while back authorities seized 17 malnourished and neglected horses from the Black River Stable in Cherry Plain, Rensselaer County, in Albany, NY.

Although the horses were in terrible condition, they were still in service for the owners to make money on their trail-riding business.

The Animal Control officers had been to this farm multiple times in the previous year trying to get Thelma and Mary Wadsworth (the owners) to care properly for these animals.

Finally they couldn't tolerate it anymore. The horses were standing in an open pasture with no grass left, no hay or grain.

They had no shelter and only a filthy tub that collected water, which was all they had to drink.

Finally after trying to get them to cooperate the Animal Control Officers went to court and were granted a warrant for seizure.

They spent the day calling all local shelters and begging them to take horses if they could.

Pets Alive had recently lost two beloved horses, so they were able to take two.

They had a volunteer go and pick them up, where they spent all day there while the warrant was being served because each horse had to be photographed and documented. Two horses were too emaciated to even stand.

Baxter and Carrie were brought to Pets Alive filled with worms. Their bellies were swollen and their ribs were protruding.

Carrie's milk had dried up well before her baby Baxter should have stopped nursing, so he was stunted in his development and malnourished.

What's even scarier, is that Carrie and Baxter were actually better off than some of the other horses.

Immediately Kerry and Matt and all the workers at Pets Alive began caring for the sick pair. Special hay and grain were bought for them. The vet came out to give them shots, vaccinations and deworming.

Carrie's teeth were cleaned and her nails trimmed and both she and Baxter enjoyed baths for the first time.

Baxter's fur was coming out in patches and his skin was showing through. And since they had been forced to live in a filthy environment where they stood knee high in feces, one side of his small body was covered in it.

At Pets Alive they were cared for, and fed properly, with the staff going out five times a day to feed them.

Within three days Baxter went from dragging his head in the dirt to looking around and walking over to be pet and scratched. Mommy and baby were doing wonderfully.

Then the most shocking and disturbing thing happened. Friday the case went to court and unbelievably the judge has awarded this woman her choice of six horses to take back.

She has chosen to take Baxter and Carrie back. Pets Alive offered her $2000 (that they frankly can't afford),to buy them, and would you believe she countered with almost double the amount!

I believe this must be a horrible human being, and we cannot allow for these horses to be returned to her. Rob and I are doing everything we can to ensure the safety of these beautiful creatures, but we could use your help.

Please log on to Pets Alive and check their blog for additional information.

These precious animals cannot speak for themselves and they need our help. Do everything that you can, whether it be donating your time or money, signing petitions, or just spreading the word to a few people each day.

This kind of abuse must be made known and must be stopped. We must fight to put an end to judges who view animals merely as merchandise and property to make a living from, no matter what their treatment.

And we must work towards changing legislation on a national level.

Thank you for allowing me vent to you all. Please do what you can to help us in this fight. Carrie and Baxter are now so happy and healthy, looking forward to the possibility of good homes rather than going back to the hellish nightmare that they came from with an inhumane proprietor that would not feel an ounce of remorse from starving her animals to death.

I believe that together we can make a difference and we can give Carrie and Baxter the happy ending they deserve.

xo
Mari

Thanks so much for posting Mari. It's absolutely disgusting how selfish people can be and what they can take advantage of without even thinking about others. I donated some money earlier tonight. Another GDer had posted that the goal was met, so hopefully Carrie and Baxter will now return to Pets Alive where they'll be safe from such cruelty and neglect. Can only hope that one day soon the other horses owned by this woman will receive justice and be given to a safe, loving home.

Mari, thanks so much for letting us know. I can't do much, but will donate and spread the word.

We can't always prevent bad things from happening, but if we all work together, maybe we can at least mitigate the damage.

Hugs and best wishes from Orlando,
Kate

Mari, thanks for posting about this. This is really, really sad. I'll log on to Pets Alive and try to think of a way to help.

take care,
Judy

Mari,

Thanks for the insight on this. There is a post about this already, and when I read it I was disgusted. I had no idea that it was this bad though. I logged on to Pets Alive, and made a donation. I hope that it makes a difference. And I believe that if we all do what we can, we can make a difference.

The world is lucky to have people like you and Rob, and all the giving, loving people here on this board. If everyone cared as you do, and others here do, wouldn't this world be a much better place to live in???

((Baxter and carrie, mari, rob, ))

I hope there is justice. Those people deserve to suffer through what they put these poor horses through. But don't even get me started on what justice I think they should get....

Love you guys!!!!!

Mari...it's good to know there are still good peeps in this world ...and we love you all the more for it...Thanks for posting and keeping us updated

Mari thanks for letting us know more about the horrific situation. 'foreverrobsgirl' came on last night asking for help and it was a relief to see tonight that the goal had been met to get Carrie and Baxter back to Pets Alive. Is there a chance that more of the horses can come to PA? God knows what could become of the other four that the judge awarded back to the owner. It is impossible to understand what he could be thinking to make such a rash decision. What has this 'person' done to prove that she can care for these animals? It is just disgusting to think that someone can get away with such mistreatment - murder of such helpless animals.

It is so wonderful to know that Pet's Alive once again is thriving and caring for so many wonderful animals. We know that so much of their success and good is because of all that you and Rob have and continue to do for them and for so many.

I will go over to the website and see what else can be done on behalf of the other horses. And pray that they will get the proper care and love that they deserve.

Take care Mari and God Bless! Big hugs to you and that man of yours!

Mari,

Thank you for your post. I was upset when I read about that story as well. I know Pets Alive will need much more money to keep these horses, if they are permitted to do so. I hope to be able to make a donation tomorrow. I hope we can all make a difference, together.

Please keep us posted, if you can.

Much love,

this is just beyond comprehension...well a logical persons comprehension

honestly there needs to come a day where stupidness ceases to exist.....how could this possibly happen

is there anyone we can lobby?

i'll jump onto the PA site and see if i can be of any help.....

Sorry to be so blunt here but this kind of thing really pisses me off!

Why on earth is she being given back any of those horses?! Obviously she can't/won't take care of them and as everyone who's ever had anything to do with a horse knows, they are truly the most noble of creatures. They are smart and loyal and loving and their eyes convey emotion like few other animals.

Mari, kudos to you and Rob for doing so much. I wish there were more of you.

I'll go to the PA site and see what help I can be.

hey Mari! thanks for posting about that sad situation. you and all the peeps at Pets Alive do an amazing job for the animals, God bless you all! hope everything turns out well and those horses could have a safe and loving home soon...
please keep us updated!

I'm at a loss to understand how this person could be granted ownership of any horse ( let alone 6!)when it was quite evident that she had failed to do so originally.

If the Courts deemed the situation serious enough to issue the warrant in the first place, what could she have possibly done to make them change their mind?

On a happier note ,kudos to Pets Alive for their work with the 2 horses in their custody.

What on earth was the judge thinking? How could they possibly award the care back to the owners? They obviously couldn't handle 17, and just because 6 is less, doesn't mean they'll be able to manage them when they so completely neglected them in the first place. They couldn't possibly have changed so much...

When I read the earlier post about this, I decided to make a donation as soon as I'm able. Thank you for providing more information on it Mari. I really hope these horses have the happy ending they deserve.

Best wishes from an apparently sunny Scotland,
Rachael x

That's so sad. Thanks for posting, Marisol.

I read the other post about this too. Disturbing! I just don't get it. Please keep us posted on this situation and know we'll do what we can to help.

Thanks Mari.