DAYS END FARM HORSE RESCUE IS PRICELESS
An open letter to our donors

From Carolyn “Nicky” Ratliff, Executive Director
The Humane Society and Animal Control of Carroll County Maryland

I have been working for the welfare of animals for 33 years, virtually all of my adult life. As a kid I rescued my share of animals in need. My Mom was a saint; allowing me to bring all of these needy creatures into our home and helping me care for them.

Days End Farm Horse Rescue is, in my opinion, the single most significant factor and I believe the major reason Equine Abuse is being addressed as vigorously and as successfully as it is, within the state of Maryland today.

I began my career in Animal Welfare at The Montgomery County Humane Society as the shelter manager, investigated allegations of large animal neglect in Howard County before the local animal control was doing them and since 1982 I have been the Executive Director of The Humane Society and Animal Control for Carroll County Maryland. For 15 years I was the President of PAWS Inc. Maryland’s association of Humane Organization and Animal Control Agencies representing all of the counties in our state.

Virtually no one in the business of cruelty investigations anywhere in this state had any real practical understanding and knowledge as to how to enforce the state’s neglect and cruelty laws on someone abusing horses or other equines fifteen years ago. We just didn’t know that much about horses, certainly not enough to build a case for criminal prosecution. We knew about dogs and cats but generally not horses.

Days End’s founders Allan and Kathy Schwartz saw the need and promptly joined PAWS Inc. They actually joined to learn from us, which I’m sure they did but it was they who soon became the teachers. Days End is and has been invaluable to us; they are Priceless, as no other single organization in this state.

They have been training animal control officers and investigators from across this state and many others for the past 13 years on all things equine. Days End is recognized nationally for their expertise and we have the benefit of having them literally, right in our back yard.

In order to investigate neglect and cruelty an investigator must know; what is the norm for the average equine? Pulse, respiration rate, gut sounds, temperature, posture, behavior, what does a healthy hoof look like etc. etc. etc. What is the best feed, hay etc.? That depends on breed, age and general health. How do you safely handle an excited, injured, or unsocialized horse? How do you rescue a horse from a trailer accident? The how to’s go on and on. We learn the answers, at their fantastic training sessions.

Days End provides all of us with the hands on experience and knowledge we need to protect, work with and possibly rescue these magnificent creatures.

Days End personnel have successfully lobbied for new laws and regulations to protect horses. They are on call at a moments notice to respond whenever called in to assist the local authorities anywhere in the state of Maryland and as you probably know have responded to many other states including the Gulf states after Katrina.

They and their staff, their Veterinarians and Farriers document the equine condition upon impoundment and progress during often long and tedious recoveries. The care received by these broken animals is the best of the best. I’ve seen the demeanor of these horses change right before my eyes. Their bodies and their spirits are healed with love, patience, knowledge and tenderness. These same people testify when the cases go to court and are more often than not the key in exacting justice in cases of equine cruelty.

Wonderful volunteers by the hundreds assist staff and care for the horses; young people learn the meaning of responsibility and compassion. Lives are forever changed at Days End for horses and people alike.

My sole purpose in writing this letter today is to let you, the generous donors and friends of the farm, know just how important your donations are and have been. I want you to completely understand the importance of this facility. It’s not a sanctuary for horses. Sanctuaries for animals fill up in a matter of weeks. This is learning and teaching facility that must always have room for the next abuse case.

There are many horse rescues out there (most doing good work) but none I know has made such an extreme difference in so many horses’ lives. Horses that never had to come to the farm because of the knowledge of the investigators as a result of the training they received from Day’s End. Training that enables the neglect to be stopped dead in its tracks, through the education of owners, before it becomes a full blown cruelty case.

In short if you love horses and their equine cousins I believe there is no better place to put your hard earned money. There is no other organization I know that does more for equines than Days End Farm Horse Rescue and the only way it can continue is through your continued financial support.

Donations are our life’s blood. You’ve seen the accolades and the awards. Please give the most you can and continue to help Days End Farm Horse Rescue make a real difference. Join us and take an active part on this pilgrimage to a kinder and more compassionate world.

 

 

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

directions

Days End Farm Horse Rescue, Inc. is a non-profit, volunteer based humane organization whose mission is Fostering compassion and responsibility for horses through intervention, education, and outreach.