The Economy is Hurting Large Animals, But there is Help
Humane Societies in northern Michigan and across the country are overflowing with abandoned cats and dogs; the reason is that with the downturn in the economy, more people just can't afford them.
We told you about the increase in a previous Fact Finder Report.
But a viewer wondered, what about large animals, like those on a farm?
The answers we found for her are tonight's Face Finder Report.
Veterinarian Pamela Graves says, "They were literally skin and bones. I've never seen anything quite that bad."
Nine months ago The Cheboygan County Animal Control took these horses from owners who could no longer care for them. Officers brought the animals to Dr. Graves.
She says, "When you have to sacrifice things, animals seem to be one of the first to take the hit. To see animals treated as disposable for me, I really don't understand it."
The animals were starving, but otherwise healthy. A sad situation Dr. Graves and other animal professionals have been faced with more often in recent years.
She says, "We're seeing a lot of neglect and abandonment cases and I think obviously horses are expensive and the economy is down even for farming so we're finding people just weren't able to care for them anymore."
Horses can cost thousands of dollars to buy, then add up to $400 a month for food and even more for vet bills, large animals come with large price tags. And with more families struggling to make mortgage payments and facing foreclosure, Dr. Graves knew more animals might suffer, so she helped start the non profit Second Chance Ranch and Rescue in Charlevoix County.
She says, "We only take the worst of the worst. The animals from animal control have first priority, then our second priority with a 30-60 day waiting period are people with animals with severe health issues or severe financial difficulty."
In just a few months, the horses went from this to this and today they all have new homes.
But Dr. Graves worries the trend of neglect for animals like these won't recover as quickly.
She says, "I think it's going to take a while to get back on their feet because the economy is so bad, especially farmers that seems to be where its hitting them is in the pocketbook."
Second Chance Ranch and Rescue has a 100% adoption rate to date. It is funded through donations, and Graves says they are looking for more foster homes. Click here for more information.
