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Milestones

In our almost 19-year history, DEFHR has accomplished the following in the pursuit of our mission:

1989-1990

TOBY was a 16H buckskin Quarterhorse that came to Days End Farm in an emaciated condition and suffering from rainrot that had turned into pus infected sores., He was infested with parasites that resulted in chronic diahrea.

Toby was brought was rehabilitated at Days End Farm and was the inspiration for establishing Days End Farm Horse Rescue.

• Supporters sought, Mission and goals were set, foundation laid.
• Became incorporated.
• Media was advised and information was spread about DEFHR.
• Received non-profit status, December 31, 1991 as the FIRST all-breed horse rescue in the State of Maryland with the ability to treat injured, ill or neglected horses.
• DEFHR began working with animal control and humane agencies throughout the State of Maryland.

1991-1992

• List of Volunteers that have helped DEFHR grew to over 300.
• Began "Share a Heart" humane workshops for community youth both in schools and at the farm.
• Established an in house foster care program for horses housed at DEFHR.

1992-1993

• Increased outreach to over 4000 individuals and professionals both foreign and domestic.
• Worked with humane officials, veterinarians, police officers, victims and media to centralize the collection of evidence and assist in the apprehension of the person or persons responsible for the instances of horse mutilations in the State of Maryland.
• Began humane education talks to schools, community associations, clubs and horse associations.

1994-1995

• DEFHR moved to a new facility that better met the needs of the horses.
• DEFHR became self-supporting.
• DEFHR instituted monthly, volunteer orientation programs.
• Instituted the First "Hands On" training seminar for animal control officers and humane officials in the State of Maryland.
• Maryland Courts awarded DEFHR direct custody of 7 horses seized by county animal control authorities.
• DEFHR assisted the State of Maryland's Department of Agriculture in establish-ing guidelines for horse rescue facilities for the purpose of future licensing.

1995-1996

• Kathleen & Allan Schwartz became certified Animal Cruelty Investigator Instructors through the University of Missouri Law Enforcement Institute, the American Humane Association and the University of Maryland.
• DEFHR Hired two paid staff to help insure quality of care for the horses.
• Published a book entitled Guidelines for Establishing a Horse Rescue Facility
• DEFHR dramatically improved the lives of 390 horses.
• Rescued and Rehabilitated "Scrapper" - the worst starvation case in the history of the farm.

1997-1998

• In cooperation with Maryland Horse Council and other professionals, created a brochure defining Maryland State cruelty statutes as it applies to horses.
• In cooperation with Maryland Horse Council and other professionals, created a brochure detailing the joys, pitfalls and responsibilities of horses ownership. Brochure entitled "If only love was enough."
• Awarded the "Kerry Dubois Memorial Horse Protection Award" for improving the quality of life for horses and other equine through investigation, education and rescue.
• Assisted Washington County with the rescue, rehabilitation and adoption of 13 horses seized for abuse and neglect. Also assisted in the prosecution of the owner in court through our testimony as expert witnesses.
• Increased staff to four full time and one part time.
• Established the S.O.S. program to assist in the adoption/ sponsorship of senior or medically challenged equine.
• Received the "Above and Beyond Award" from the William Snyder Foundation for Animals given to animal protection professionals whose daily hands-on committment to the rescue and rehabilitation of abused, neglected, or injured animals demonstrates a degree of selflessness far "above and beyond" the normal provision of exhaustive intense rehabilitation care.
• Wrote and produced the first extensive manual on how to establish a horse res-cue facility.
• Established an evaluation and training program for DEFHR volunteers
• Began horse health care clinics open to volunteers and adopters.
• Increased community outreach to over 10,000 individuals and professionals.

1998-1999

• Established The Equine Rescue and Rehabilitation Information Network Project (E.R.R.I.N) encompassing three main components that we hope will securely prepare us for the next millienium.
  1. E.R.R.I.N will increase the availability of information about horse care and rescue. This will further our mission of educating people on proper equine care in addition to showing effective alternatives for dealing with horse abuse where problems already exist, for example, starting a local rescue. To accomplish this, Days End Farm will advertise its programs and Rescue Kit entitled Guidelines for Establishing a Non Profit Horse Rescue Facility in two appropriate, nationally recognized equine publications - Equus and The Horse.
  2. DEFHR will address immediate disaster relief needs throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region, (including Southern Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia), by offering our services as an emergency response team in cooperation with other disaster relief agencies such as Code 3 Associates and County / State Officials.
     

     

     Specifically, the response team will operate a fully equipped four-horse stock trailer that can be brought to the scene of a disaster, accommodate the rescued horses, and provide a sheltered area for medical treatment.

• In order to facilitate both the sharing of information and quick response to disaster relief needs, we will provide a toll-free number and list it in the advertisement. This 877 number will raise our profile and accessibility as a humane education resource, broaden our geographic reach, and enable us to respond instantly to disaster situations that require sophisticated rescue equipment. Our number is 1-877-442-1564.
• Increased staff to five (5) full time and two (2) part time to more effectively administer DEFHR's programs.
• Established a national presence via the internet to distribute information about DEFHR and abused and neglected horses. Our web site address is www.defhr.org. Future items on the site will include horse care tips and phone numbers to contact animal control in the State of Maryland and other numbers to help in other states.
• Established "Help our Proud Equines" (H.O.P.E) a project with multiple goals.
  1. Help to establish a database of equine veterinarians willing to do cruelty investigations in the State of Maryland.
  2. Promote the placement of a surety bond on animals impounded by animal control when the owners file a replevin order for their return. This bond would make the owners of the animals responsible for their care during the time they are impounded and until a verdict is reached by the courts.
  3. Encourage the reporting of abuse through the placement of flyers showing what to look for and numbers to call.
  4. Partner with other professionals to establish a course offering continuing education credits on "The role of veterinarians in cruelty investigations".

• Started a Capitol Campaign and raised funds necessary for a 50+ Acre Farm purchase.

• First Rescue to offer Large Animal Rescue Training in Maryland and one of few nationally.

  • The first horse rescue to provide disaster services and emergency rescue services in the Mid- Atlantic region and responded to Hurricane Katrina and Rita.

• One of four rescues nationally Invited to attend the Unwanted Horse Summit.

• Provided the “Equine Ambulance” service for the 2005 Presidential Inaugural Parade.

• The first horse rescue to provide disaster services and emergency rescue services in the Mid-Atlantic region and responded to Hurricane Katrina and Rita.
• Was the 2005 recipient of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) equine welfare award - the Lavin Cup.

• Was awarded the "Best In America" seal of approval for adhering to the highest standards of accountability and successfully managing the organization's finances in an efficient and effective manner by Independent Charities of America.

• Dramatically improved the lives of over 1,200 horses
• Increased revenue to effectively expand and operate programs $1,000,000 annually Add Maryland 4-H Award 2006 Snyder foundation award for excellence Washington county impound - 2007 Helping to pass legislation for rescues in MD 2007 Horse Industry Board since 2002 Ohio Rescue Katrina, Rita, Charlie & Frances

 

For more information call:
301/854-5037 or 410/442-1564
E-Mail: info@defhr.org

Physical Address:
1372 Woodbine Road
Woodbine, MD 21797

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 309
Lisbon, Maryland 21765

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Days End Farm Horse Rescue, Inc. is a non-profit, volunteer based humane organization
whose mission is to ensure quality care and treatment of horses
through intervention, education, and outreach.