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Rescue groups see rise in abandonment, neglect
By Connie Bloom
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Saturday, Sep 27, 2008
If the rising cost of goods and services isn't a sure sign of hard times, a lame and starving llama running free along U.S. 224 certainly qualifies.
''You don't lose a llama,'' said llama farmer Toni Longville of Norton, who is taking care of Ricky. Jeff Black of Springfield Township and his granddaughter found Ricky near their pasture one Sunday in August, while his grandchildren were horseback riding near the highway.
''We had had him for a few days and put an ad in the paper,'' Black said. The silence from Ricky's owner was deafening.
''We didn't get any calls except for Toni. She says she's always on the lookout for greyhounds for rescuing and saw the lost llama ad. You don't get one of those in the paper every day.''
Black, proud owner of four goats, three dogs and some chickens, wasn't set up for a llama. He passed Ricky into the tender loving care of Longville. Both of them consider themselves fortunate, because they can still afford to feed their creatures, but Ricky is evidence that others can't.
''Feed prices have not quite doubled, but almost, and hay's gone up probably 30 percent,'' Black said. ''Somebody that's on a tight budget — and the feed costs double — it makes a difference what you can keep.''
Abandonments rise
Farm animals are showing up everywhere, said Annette Fisher of Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary in Ravenna.
''In the past month, there have been three horse-related abandonment instances,'' she said. ''One person went for a trail ride at a Metro Park and returned to find several horses that were not hers tied up in her trailer.''
A pot-bellied pig and her babies were rounded up in another park.
Larger, more expensive and requiring handlers with serious skills, the farm animals that survive ordeals such as these usually end up at auction, where they are sold for meat. The lucky ones find their way to Fisher, whose sanctuary is splitting at the seams and whose donations have dropped off dramatically as money continues to tighten.
''We have been recently bombarded, even more so than usual, with calls from humane officers and law-enforcement officials from across Ohio,'' said Fisher, executive director of the nationally networked and respected facility.
''There are mass reports of animals not being fed and who are in various stages of malnutrition and starvation, and animals simply being dumped. . . . It's extremely overwhelming for farm-animal and horse-rescue groups, who have to be painfully aware of the sheer amount of space and feed that it takes to safely and properly house them, not to mention the suffocating medical bills that often accompany a neglect case.''
Adoptions have fallen off dramatically, while some volunteers, the backbone of the operation, have been forced to quit because they can't afford the gas to drive there, Fisher said.
At last count, the small volunteer staff was caring for 91 animals on Happy Trail's 10 acres. From January through August this year, its income, made up entirely of donations, was $57,521, Fisher said. Expenses were $74,925 for a loss of $17,404.
Medical costs for the same period last year were $12,568; this year, the figure is $35,563, a 182 percent increase.
''Unfortunately, all the folks who work in animal rescue are predicting that we haven't seen anything yet. I reluctantly agree with them,'' Fisher said. ''I believe that animals who are currently being neglected but may be on pasture at this time will increasingly show advanced signs of neglect with the winter season, when grass will become scarce and grain or hay becomes near nonexistent.
''We have a responsibility to the animals who rely on us so completely for their care and well-being to make sure that their basic needs are covered.''
It's no surprise that Fisher is being forced to cut expenses and therefore services so she can raise funds for the long, cold winter ahead.
Readers can help, even if you haven't any disposable income right now. Read on.
• Those who can afford to donate, by all means, send a check to Happy Trails, 5623 New Milford Road, Ravenna, OH 44266. Donations can also be made online through PayPal on the Happy Trails Web site at http://www.happytrailsfarm.org.
• While you are online, be sure to sign up for periodic postal mailings such as newsletters, bulletins and special-event notifications. Staying current may mean you can help out some time in the future, possibly on a project you never dreamed about.
• Get involved. Sue Buttermore, Happy Trails volunteer program coordinator, is planning for the next volunteer orientation session, which will be coming up soon. Call her at 330-388-2106 to learn more.
• Recycle aluminum cans and call the farm for drop-off instructions at 330-296-5914.
• Join in a fall fundraiser on Oct. 4 by walking the peaceful trails of Quail Hollow State Park in Hartville. Start times will run from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Get friends and family involved and collect sponsorships for your walk. Prizes will be awarded and Happy Trails rescues will be on hand to meet and greet.
For information, call Abby Robinson at 330-281-8940.
Goodbye, my friends
Today I bid you all goodbye, my dear friends in animals.
I am taking an early retirement from the newspaper after nearly 36 years of service, eight of them writing this column. It has been a mystical journey and I thank you for it.
I will miss you.
I will be indulging my passion for fiber art and have a small studio in the back of Jimmy's Cafe in Cuyahoga Falls. Emily, my goddess mutt, will be visiting from time to time. I hope you'll come chat with us or visit http://www.conniebloom.com, where you will find my e-mail address.
If the rising cost of goods and services isn't a sure sign of hard times, a lame and starving llama running free along U.S. 224 certainly qualifies.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Posted 11:39 AM, 09/27/2008
We will miss you and your column.
akron, oh
Posted 03:26 PM, 09/27/2008
''In the past month, there have been three horse-related abandonment instances,'' she said. ''One person went for a trail ride at a Metro Park and returned to find several horses that were not hers tied up in her trailer.'' I had people argue tooth and nail when I said This was going to happen more and more... Made fun of me for saying it. Hay went from $1.50 to $2 a bale from $3.5 to $5 a bale depending what time of the year you buy it.
