Financial assistance grant from United Animal Nations enables Maryland equine rescue group to begin lifesaving treatment on once-starving horse bought for $45 at auction

OWINGS, MD (December 15, 2009) – United Animal Nations (UAN), a national animal protection nonprofit based in California, has awarded an emergency grant that will enable a Calvert County equine rescue group to begin lifesaving veterinary care for a horse it rescued from near death.

Romulus (left) is getting lifesaving treatment for a serious foot infection thanks to a LifeLine Grant from UAN.

Earlier this year, members of Freedom Hill Horse Rescue attended a local auction to purchase unwanted horses and find them new homes. They saw a horse who was extremely thin, full of parasites, covered in thick black manure “that smelled like death” and tied to a flatbed wagon. Knowing that anyone who would buy a horse in such poor condition would most likely sell him to slaughter, Freedom Hill topped the highest bidder by $10 to purchase the horse for $45. They named him Romulus, gave him the medical attention and loving care he had obviously lacked for years, and found someone to adopt him.

But before he could go to his new home, Romulus  was diagnosed with canker, an infection of the hoof that is causing it to literally rot off. Veterinarians said Romulus will not survive the winter without laser surgery, antibiotic treatment and diligent follow-up care – at a cost of thousands of dollars.

Freedom Hill and Romulus’ adopter raised more than $2,000, but it wasn’t enough. Upon hearing of Romulus ’ plight, UAN awarded a $500 LifeLine Rescue Grant to close the gap and give Freedom Hill the 50-percent deposit the veterinarian required to begin treatment.

“UAN’s LifeLine Rescue Grants are intended to help people who save animals from life-threatening situations,” said UAN Program Coordinator Esperanza Zuñiga. “It was clear the folks at Freedom Hill would do anything in their power to make Romulus  well so he could go to his forever home, but they just couldn’t do it alone.”

According to Pam Hill of Freedom Hill, Romulus  is kind, gentle and patient. He stood for seven hours in a row for two days straight while his mane was untangled and his body cleaned. The manure caked on him was attached to his hairs like glue and had to be cut close to his skin with scissors, an excruciatingly slow and painful process.

“During the whole ordeal he contentedly munched hay and looked on with his kind, thankful golden brown eyes,” Hill said. “UAN recognized, like we did, that Romulus  is a special horse who deserves a second chance at a happy life. We’re grateful to them for enabling us to begin his lifesaving treatment.”

So far in 2009, UAN has awarded $77,725 in LifeLine Grants to help people pay for lifesaving veterinary care. Applications for LifeLine Grants have increased dramatically during the recession. UAN received 1,854 applications through the third quarter of 2009 – a 15 percent increase over 2008 and a 73 percent increase over 2007.

To support UAN’s efforts to help animals, please make a donation.

To learn more about LifeLine or see a comprehensive list of financial resources for veterinary care, visit www.uan.org/lifeline

To learn more about Romulus or contribute to his care, visit www.freedomhillrescue.org

United Animal Nations (UAN) focuses on bringing animals out of crisis and strengthening the bond between people and animals through a variety of programs, including emergency sheltering, disaster relief services, financial assistance and education. Learn more at www.uan.org

Freedom Hill Horse Rescue saves horses from neglect and abuse situations, and from industries that produce unwanted foals, such as the industry that nurses the offspring of expensive brood mares. Learn more at www.freedomhillrescue.org

MEDIA CONTACT: Alexis Raymond, (916) 429-2457, ext. 314

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