Horse Shelter Heroes – S4E36
Life at Horse Plus Humane Society is never a dull moment! From medical mysteries in the donkey pasture to unexpected visits from the law, our team has been working overtime to keep our rescues safe, healthy and happy.
We are digging tunnels through mountains of paperwork to make sure no horse is left behind!
🎥 Watch the full episode here: Horse Shelter Heroes -S4E36
Baby Kicks & Donkey Checkups
We started the week with a bit of a scare when we thought one of our pregnant donkeys was having trouble breathing. After some close monitoring and a video sent to Dr. Lydia, we realized it was just a very active baby putting on a show in there!
However, the health of our herd is always #1. We noticed some fevers spreading through the quarantine group, so we ran the whole donkey crew through the chute for temps and treatments.
Little guys like Mohawk, Winks, and Lego are getting the extra TLC they need to bounce back.
Training Milestones for Jill
Our girl Jill is making incredible progress! We’ve been working on “desensitizing” her, making sure she’s comfortable with the sound of stirrups, pressure on both sides and even a little weight in the saddle.
She took it all like a champ, even with Zelda the cat trying to “help” with the training. Jill is officially ready for a rider soon and we couldn’t be prouder of her growth.
New Beginnings & Happy Tails
There is absolutely nothing we love more than the sound of a photo being moved on our adoption wall!
This week, the “Found Love” section grew by three very special heartbeats. Midnight the Kitty officially joined his forever family with a very excited young man named Samson, while Pickle had a true “love at first sight” moment with her new adopter and is already settling into her new life.
To top it all off, we finally got the papers signed for Licorne, who is now officially off on her next big adventure.
Every single one of these happy goodbyes is a victory because it opens up a precious spot for us to step in and save another soul in need.
Navigating the “Slaughter Pipeline” Legal Maze
Things got a little intense this week when we were visited by state agents and a staff veterinarian. They came to inform us about some antiquated Tennessee laws that restrict exactly how and where we can rescue horses near auctions, specifically noting that offering to buy a horse within 2,000 feet of a livestock market is a major no-go!
While it often feels like these laws are designed to protect the industry rather than the animals themselves, we aren’t backing down for a second.
We are currently diving deep into the books to research every legal loophole that ensures we stay 100% compliant while still saving lives. This includes the massive task of applying for a Dealer License and looking into what it takes to become an “Approved Livestock Market,” even if it means jumping through a dozen complicated hoops.
We have also been consulting directly with the USDA to find a “Game Changer” strategy that will keep our rescue mission alive and thriving despite these new hurdles.
Community Wins and… Vegan Nacho Fries?
We are so grateful to High Forest Humane Society for the 25 new kennels! These will be vital as we work toward opening a local spay/neuter clinic to help the community’s cats and dogs.
And because rescue work is exhausting, we had a little “staff morale” boost thanks to Taco Bell’s new vegan nacho fries. There was a bit of a prank involving who got the most fries (sorry, John!), but in the end, a full stomach means a motivated team!
We Need You More Than Ever!
Because of new regulations, we have to keep our rescues for at least 60 days before they can go to new homes. This means more hay, more grain and more medical care. Your donations are quite literally the difference between life and death.
We are so deeply grateful for this incredible community that stands by us through every legal hurdle and long night in the barn. We truly couldn’t do this without your heart and your hands helping us carry the load.
Every dollar helps us build that tunnel through the mountain!
Want to help more horses like the ones in this episode? Visit the Horse Plus Humane Society website to learn how you can support rescue, rehabilitation, and healing.
Watch the full episode here: Police at the Shelter – Horse Shelter Heroes S4E36
Your donations and shares truly make a difference — one horse, one rescue, and one story at a time.