Animal Rescue League Of Iowa

When the ARL got the urgent call from the Dallas County Sheriff’s office to assist with the removal of 46 horses – many injured and thin, with little to no food and water – our rescue team quickly prepared for our largest horse rescue operation in years. When we arrived at the property, it was worse than we had imagined. We saw horses with open wounds. Ribs and hipbones were visible on many, and some were emaciated. The horses were so hungry, they pushed against the edges of the makeshift fencing, trying to reach anything edible. We saw one who was so hungry he had resorted to eating sharp thistles. When the ARL got the urgent call from the Dallas County Sheriff’s office to assist with the removal of 46 horses – many injured and thin, with little to no food and water – our rescue team quickly prepared for our largest horse rescue operation in years. When we arrived at the property, it was worse than we had imagined. We saw horses with open wounds. Ribs and hipbones were visible on many, and some were emaciated. The horses were so hungry, they pushed against the edges of the makeshift fencing, trying to reach anything edible. We saw one who was so hungry he had resorted to eating sharp thistles. Two of the horses with the most severe conditions – one with a gaping, infected neck wound and another suffering from severe emaciation – were taken to an equine veterinarian for immediate care. The emaciated horse in particular is lucky to be alive. These horses did not deserve this – no animal does. These horses are now safe at our Second Chance Ranch. They finally have clean enclosures, food and water, and they are finally receiving much-needed medical care under the supervision of equine veterinarians. But 46 horses – especially ones in this condition – are a lot to take on. It’s only because of you that we are able to continue to answer these calls for help and provide the care that suffering animals so desperately need.

When the ARL’s Mobile Rescue Team was contacted by Keokuk County Sheriff’s deputies to assist with a rescue, we arrived to find four horses – two of whom were in such terrible condition they were literally skin and bones. It was clear they needed immediate help. During the 1.5-hour drive back to Des Moines, one of the horses was so emaciated she collapsed. We stopped to help her, and when we were unable to get her on her feet, we took her to the equine veterinary hospital at Iowa State for emergency round-the-clock care. We don’t know how long the mare, Salty, will need to be hospitalized or if she will even survive. The next few days will be critical for her. The other horse in the worst condition, Betty, is not only emaciated, she is blind, with a condition that has caused her eyes to become red and inflamed. She is stable at our Second Chance Ranch as of right now and we’ve started her on a special refeeding program to help her regain weight safely. But she is definitely not out of the woods. All of the horses are also under socialized, meaning they will need behavioral rehabilitation as well. Thankfully, these horses are now safe, but we can’t do this alone. Please donate today to help provide care for Salty, Betty, Chelsea and Little Richard – and other animals like them. You’ll give them hope for a better life ahead – the life they’ve always deserved.

We’re happy to tell you that Potato is on the mend after surgery to repair his broken leg! Thanks to you, the little guy was able to go into surgery late last week. He had a screw and surgical wire put in place, and the surgery went very well. He is now resting comfortably and being monitored closely by our medical team. He’ll be on strict kennel rest for about 6 weeks to ensure his leg heals properly, and he’ll be getting lots of love during that time.