Have you ever wondered what happens to large animals that are seized by law enforcement? Dogs and cats go to local shelters, but they do not have the room or supplies to house seized cows, horses, pigs, goats, llamas and other livestock. That’s where the nonprofit Hooved Animal Rescue of Thurston County (HAROTC) comes in. They work with law enforcement to provide a soft landing for seized livestock through their network of fosters.
Connie Patterson and Joyce Bell started Hooved Animal Rescue of Thurston County in 1998. “HAROTC was started to assist primarily the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office when they seize animals,” shares Kathy Bailey, president of HAROTC. “We provide all the care – vet, feed, farrier, training, etc. – until released by the court for adoption. Sometimes this process takes months. HAROTC does not receive compensation from the Sheriff’s Office.”
Daughter’s Love Leads Bailey to Become President of Hooved Animal Rescue of Thurston County
“I joined HAROTC because I had a teenage daughter that was horse crazy and I knew nothing about horses,” shares Bailey. “I worked with Connie and she recruited me and I can’t imagine not being involved.” That was over 18 years ago. Bailey has been president for at least 12 years, she says she’s lost count.
When she first got involved, she was scared of horses. Now, she loves them. “I was terrified of horses, I thought they all bit and kicked,” she says. “I quickly learned this was not the case and now love horses and of course the smell of them!”
Saving Thurston County Livestock
One of the common misconceptions Bailey says is that people think the Hooved Animal Rescue of Thurston County takes animals from people. They do not. They receive animals from law enforcement after they have been legally seized or surrendered.
Once that happens, HAROTC steps into action, calling on its network of foster homes to take in the animals. It could be one or many. “We act as the ‘evidence locker’ for the animals,” explains Bailey. They stay in foster care with HAROTC until they can legally be put up for adoption.
Due to limited resources, they only take animals in Thurston County. “We have limited foster homes and we never know when we will get a call from a Deputy that needs assistance and that could be 20-plus horses and we need to make sure we have the room for the animals,” Bailey explains.
Over the years they have helped hundreds of animals. Timing of course is sporadic. They may go months without any animals needing help, and then have two or three seizures in a month or one large seizure that requires many fosters to be ready.
Helping Thurston County Residents With Animal Care
Another facet of the Hooved Animals Rescue of Thurston County is its assistance programs that help Thurston County residents with their animal care.
The Emergency Resource Grant is for Thurston County animal owners who need help covering emergency farrier or veterinary care. Both owners and animals must reside in Thurston County and the amount of aid varies. Reviews by the board are done quickly for emergency situations.
They also have their End of Trails Fund. This fund is to help cover the cost of humane euthanasia when it’s been recommended by a veterinarian.
Help Rescue Large Animals in Thurston County
Their biggest need is for foster homes and volunteers. To be a foster home, you need to have safe, adequate space for the animal that is separate from other animals. Safe fencing is important. “We provide all the feed, farrier and vet care, bedding if needed, plus we also have portable shelters available if someone has a field at their home without a shelter and wants to help,” Bailey explains.
Fostering may be short or long-term. “We have some horses now that have been with us in the same foster homes for several years but if a foster home needs an animal moved then we can move animals around,” she adds.
It may also take a while for you to get a foster animal once you are approved. It just depends on when the next seizure or surrender happens, so there is no way for Hooved Animal Rescue of Thurston County to know when that will be. “We just need to be prepared for what might happen,” Bailey says.
Monetary donations are tax-deductible and always appreciated. They go towards the care of the livestock for as long as they are fostered as well as their assistance programs. Since they do not have a storage facility, in-kind donations are not needed as much.
Another great way to help is to adopt one of their fostered animals! You can see available animals on their website or Facebook page.
For more information, to get involved or donate, or to adopt a fostered animal, visit the Hooved Animal Rescue of Thurston County website.
