RVR HORSE RESCUE INC
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Mission Statement
RVR Horse Rescue is an all-volunteer equine welfare facility that rescues starved and abused horses and donkeys. Situated on 40 acres in Riverview, FL, RVR takes equines out of dangerous situations, rehabilitates them, and finds suitable homes for them. RVR has earned a reputation for stepping in when no one else can. RVR is known for taking on the worst cases of abuse and neglect. From its beginning as a rescue serving the Tampa Bay area, RVR is now recognized and called upon by law enforcement agencies and other rescues throughout the state of Florida.
About This Cause
RVR was founded in 2004, and received 501c status in 2011. RVR has experienced tremendous growth since 2011 and has earned a reputation for stepping in when no one else can. From its beginning as a rescue serving the Tampa Bay area, RVR is now recognized and called upon by law enforcement agencies and other rescues throughout the state of Florida. RVR is an all-volunteer organization, with over 100 volunteers fulfilling the ongoing needs of the ranch and its horses. Our original mission is five fold: Rescue – Horses that come through the gates of RVR suffer from extreme emaciation and injuries from abuse. Many have been seized by law enforcement agencies or have been surrendered in order to avoid charges of abuse/neglect. Some were abandoned to die. Others have come to us through the intervention of good Samaritans. Rehabilitation – RVR functions as a hospital. We are fortunate to work with excellent veterinarians who establish and supervise individualized nutrition and treatment plans for our rescued horses. Emotional rehabilitation, including training, is also an important part of the work done at RVR, so that our rescues can learn to trust the touch of a human. Rehome¬ – Finding our horses a loving home is our ultimate goal. Sanctuary – Due to age or special needs, some of our horses may remain at RVR for the rest of their lives. Food, shelter, and medical care are provided by RVR along with a hefty dose of loving attention from volunteers. There is no expiration date on the time a horse may spend in RVR’s care if an adoption match isn’t made. Hospice – Some horses arrive at RVR too late to be saved. Others succumb to illnesses or old age. The medical team and volunteers dedicate themselves to providing the most loving and comfortable environment possible until it is time to say goodbye. The majority of RVR’s horses arrive with a Henneke score of 2 (Very thin, emaciated), 1 (Poor, extremely emaciated), or.5. This results in an intensive rehabilitation process, increasing feed and medical costs. RVR Horse Rescue purchases only high quality hays and feeds for its rescue horses to provide maximum nutritional benefit. Our hay suppliers provide RVR with three kinds of hay to meet the needs of the varying stages of rehabilitation. New rescues are started on Alfalfa hay and soaked Alfalfa pellets and are transitioned to a Timothy and Alfalfa blend after they gain a significant amount of weight. Horses that have reached a healthy weight are transitioned to Tifton hay. Whether horses are eating a senior or universal age grain feed, RVR provides only feeds that are complete and veterinarian approved. Low quality hay and incomplete grain feeds are never a part of RVR’s feeding regimen. As a rescue that specializes in taking the worst cases of abuse and neglect, RVR sees substantial medical bills. Many of the horses rescued by RVR have required intensive medical interventions such as surgeries, ultrasounds, and endoscopies. However, given the nature of our specialization, even the routine medical care for RVR’s rescues is significant. Horses who have deteriorated to 2, 1 and .5 body scores suffer from skin infections, poor hoof condition and dental issues. The vast majority of horses taken in by RVR are in need of topical and internal medications and supplements. Though partnerships with local veterinarians enable RVR to acquire medications and procedures at a reduced rate, medical bills are still significant. To counteract the large feed and medical bills, RVR operates frugally. Being all volunteer run, RVR has no employees to pay. The 40 acre property belongs to RVR founder Shawn Jayroe, and RVR pays only a portion of the property’s utility bills. The rescue facility, its barns, fences and tractors are all maintained by volunteers to reduce costs. These efforts allow RVR to always make the feed and hay budgets the rescue’s first fiscal priority. To support its feeding and medical bills, RVR has an active find raising committee. RVR hosts multiple fundraising projects per year, including two major events held at the ranch, and an annual fundraiser co-sponsored by a local vet and restaurant. RVR collects donations and has a rescue horse sponsorship program. Sales of RVR logo t-shirts and hats also support the rescue. RVR also seeks grant support. RVR Horse Rescue is very active in the Tampa Bay community, promoting awareness and providing educational opportunities for youth. The educational programs offered by RVR have a positive impact on local children. Three programs have emerged from RVR’s dedication to equine rescue: C.L.E.A.R., Charity’s Vision, and Horse Angels. RVR C.L.E.A.R. As a 501c organization, RVR cannot lobby the Florida Legislature to create laws to protect horses. RVR can, however, campaign for greater public awareness. C.L.E.A.R. – Care-Learn-Educate-Act-Rescue is an effort to educate and engage the public about the needs of neglected and abused horses. Since the program’s inception in 2013, RVR volunteers acting on behalf of C.L.E.A.R. have presented information about horses in need to hundreds of students in Hillsborough County. Students have learned about basic horse needs, the Henneke Scale, and how to contact authorities when they see a horse in need. They participate in a drawing or essay contest to win a visit to the ranch. Some of the children selected to visit RVR have never touched a horse or even seen one in real life before visiting the ranch. C.L.E.A.R. hosts two web pages. The main site, http://rvrhorserescue.org/clear offers information about using the Henneke Scale and provides a list of contact information for authorities in every Florida county. The Facebook page for C.L.E.A.R. adds photos and themes that promote the mission of the organization: www.facebook.com/ClearRvrHorseRescue . C.L.E.A.R. also hosts a courtesy re-homing list to assist horse owners in finding a new home for their horse when the need arises. C.L.E.A.R. began to attract the attention of children’s organizations wanting to take part in learning experiences at the ranch. It was evident that the program was evolving from simply educating the public to nurturing the next generation of horse rescuers. In 2014, RVR began to host visits from local Girl Scout troops. Scouts do chores while learning about horse health and care. Under the guidance of RVR volunteers, they spend time grooming a rescue horse of their choosing, developing mutual, nurturing bonds. The girls earn badges while volunteering and raising funds for RVR. Girl Scouts recently purchased much needed hay nets for the rescue. Charity’s Vision In 2015, RVR further expanded its children’s programs to reach children whose emotional needs are greatest. RVR now welcomes children through Miracles Outreach, a local 501(c)3 charity that provides shelter to children who have been homeless, abused and victims of human trafficking. The experience of interacting with the horses is extremely calming and regenerative to these children. Under the supervision of RVR volunteers, the children will be able groom and care for a horse of their choosing, engaging in a mutually beneficial relationship. The children will also be able to participate in other educational or fun activities related to horses. These special activities for Scouts and Miracles Outreach are now called Charity’s Vision, named for the first horse ever rescued by RVR. Activities planned include crafts, such as drawing, making jewelry out of horse hair, and crafts with horse shoes. Educational lessons are also planned. RVR is currently developing a curriculum to include basic horse care and husbandry, as well as topics frequently experienced in horse rescue such as colic, heaves and skin ailments. RVR Horse Angels The final program that is evolving out of RVR’s original rescue mission is Horse Angels, a hay and feed bank launching in 2015. Despite RVR’s best efforts, we cannot take in every horse that needs us. There are many, many more horses in need throughout our state. No rescue can take every horse. We all know the pain of having to say, “No.” RVR has been informally providing assistance to horse owners and other rescues for several years, distributing hay, grain and even medical supplies. The time has come to expand this service. Formally establishing Horse Angels will increase RVR’s ability to help horses in need. We will be able to assist horse owners who are struggling to care for their horses. We will also be able to help other rescues during periods of low funds or an increase in horses they care for. The ultimate goal of Horse Angels is to reduce the likelihood that a horse will end up needing rescue. In the remaining months of 2015, RVR’s goals for Horse Angels are to develop a system for struggling owners to apply for support through the feed bank, to raise funds and purchase a truck to haul hay and grain to support horses in need, and to collect hay and grain feed, and distribute it to approved horse owners or rescues. Horse Angels will function independently of RVR Horse Rescue, with its own budget and fundraising program. The progress of Horse Angels can be followed at http://rvr-horserescue.org/horseangels/