Three months after taking ownership of hundreds of animals living at a Julian sanctuary, the San Diego Humane Society says it is looking for people to adopt dozens of horses in their care.
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The nonprofit initially rescued 175 horses from the Villa Chardonnay Horses with Wings sanctuary when Humane Society law enforcement officers served a warrant at the property in May while investigating allegations of severe neglect.
Also rescued were a number of farm animals, including goats, alpacas, chickens, ducks and donkeys that have since been transferred to a refuge in Northern California, and hundreds of cats that went to shelters to be put up for adoption.
As of Tuesday, there were still 48 horses in the Humane Society’s care, with 42 of them pictured on the organization’s website as available for adoption. The rest are being housed at the Humane Society’s Escondido campus so they can receive more advanced care, said Humane Society spokesperson Nina Thompson.
One of the horses already adopted is going to the Unconditional Love Foundation in Murrietta, where he will work as a therapy horse, the Humane Society said. The foundation has taken in five of the rescued horses.
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Horses awaiting adoption are being housed at Willow Glen Equestrian Centre in Rancho San Diego, where they were moved in July. The Humane Society said the horses are receiving individualized care, rehabilitation and support from staff and volunteers.
Humane Society officials said they are seeking “patient, compassionate and experienced horse owners, who can provide the time, understanding and care needed to continue their healing.” The horses will be placed as companion animals since their rideability is unknown.
Officials said many of the horses received limited or no veterinary care in the years before their rescue and some may have “ongoing medical and behavioral needs.” The owners of the sanctuary filed for bankruptcy.
Interested adopters are asked to complete an application that will help best match each horse with a home. The adoptable horses and instructions on how to fill out the adoption application can be viewed at sdhumane.org/horses.
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