Humane Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (HSPCA)

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In this Issue

	The Mane Event
	Update on the 45 horses...
	Where we are headed...

Horse Sense...

A horse is the projection of peoples' dreams about themselves - strong, powerful, beautiful - and it has the capability of giving us escape from our mundane existence.

~ Pam Brown

The Mane Event

The Humane Society will host an event – The Mane Event – on Friday, April 25, 2008 from 7 pm – 11 pm at The Millstone at Adams Pond - to raise funds for the recently seized Arabian horses. The Mane Event will feature live bluegrass entertainment, a fabulous menu by Southern Way and a silent auction. Tickets are available online at www.humanesc.org or by calling 803-783-1267. Tickets are $75 per individual and $60 a piece for tickets bought in increments of two and over.

All proceeds from the Mane Event will go towards the cost of vetting, boarding, feeding and rehabilitation of the Humane Society’s unprecedented seizure of 45 Arabian horses due to malnourishment and neglect. The Humane Society has already accumulated over $20,000 in fees for the vetting and care of the horses. We need your help in our efforts to end animal cruelty.

Update on the 45 horses...

Shortly after initial seizure of the 23 horses, the Humane Society along with Richland County Sheriff's deputies issued search warrants at a second address and brought 5 more horses into our care. At the same time, new information came in that turned our attention to other areas in which horses under the care of the suspects were or had been pastured, including areas in Sumter and Lexington.

The information lead to an additional seizure of 17 horses, again in Richland County and with the help of Richland County Sheriff's deputies. Tips lead to several grave sites located at a farm previously leased by the suspects in Sumter. Such evidence prompted the HSPCA to contact Dr. Melinda Merck of the ASPCA to provide forensic support to the investigation.

All told, with the support of several organizations, the HSPCA took 45 horses into custody and have begun rehabilitating them back to health. Their rehabilitation began with a careful feeding process to get their digestive systems back to that of regular horses. While it will take time for them to gain weight, they are reacting positively to their new diet and new environment.

The outpour of concern throughout the state and across the nation has been tremendous. Thanks to all who have donated funds and supplies for the horses!

Where we are headed...

Cases such as the recent horse seizure present some of the most challenging moments for the Humane Society and often test our resolve to end animal cruelty. While the details of the case touch us all and, in fact, strengthen our conviction to confront abuse, the sheer size of the undertaking over taxes our resources, both from a financial and personnel standpoint.