Tierd of the SPCA!!!!!!?

Question

We have an old Arabian horse, Disney, 25 years old, that we rescued two years ago. His owner had passed away. He has chronic founder and couldn't even walk when we brought him home. I have had my vet come out and he says that his teeth are pretty much gone and he is old and has a malnurution problem due to old age. People who don't know better have called the SPCA on us several times. And they have been out to our place to inspect all the animals. None of our other animals are that old and skinny. After three visits from the SPCA, I gave them my vets number but they didn't follow thru with calling him. After the third notice that they left, I called and advised them that if they didn't call our vet then that was harrassment and they haven't bothered us since. do u dislike the SPCA?

Answer 1

It's like Child Protective Services, they always go after the wrong ones and leave the innocent at risk with the abusers. Doesn't help either when you have loads of morons out there that have no clue, see a horse in a field 2 days in a row and then say the poor horse has been abandoned with no food, shelter etc when you are actually just turning it out for exercise. If they care so much, they should dig deep and help out rescues so that they do have the money and funding to do the work required and care for the animals they have.

Answer 2

We had that a few times as our oldest gelding (put down Christmas night in 2002....) who was estimated 38 years old.

After we threaten harassment, they too did stop coming by, leaving notices of potential animal cruelty charges brought by "further inspections" etc.

We had three vets declare we where doing the best we can. All vets wrote letters and direct call the SPCA (Large Animal Department).

We had an inspection one last time (we welcomed it to show them). Our alfalfa pellets where extremely moist (pretty much " mush"), mixed with senior feed etc.

We also had a few other rescued horses and they where also inspected (more healthier as we had them longer).

With log books of their up keep, we haven't had an issue since.

What was happening was people would see a skinny horse (although, plenty of food present, cleaned well kept stall, cleaned good coat etc) and call the SPCA out. (as I understand seeing it from the strangers view point). As someone wasn't documenting their paperwork, records of coming out was not exactly available when they where called again etc. (repeated cycle).

I think that SPCA does good though. Just sometimes you can deal with the crappy ones. We had turned in people for animal cruelty before (animals where abused obviously by physical majorly). SPCA did great (animal patrol: large and small). So, it all depends on who you get and under what situation it is.

Answer 3

No, The SPCA is only doing their job. They have to respond to every call they recieve even if most of the calls are like whats happining to you, not a serious issue. They are there for the wellfair of the animals, not to harrass pet owners. I would look into who is calling the SPCA and talk to them about the horse to save you and the SPCA time and money. If that doesn't work can you move the horse to a different field or barn. Just to stop the nosey neigbor from calling. I use to work at the SPCA here, I was responsible for the care of the animals when they arrived at the shelter. I also helped inthe office, like taking complaint calls. Trust me their are way too many people out there who have too much time on their hands!

BTW you are a wonderful, thaughtful person for taking in this horse! I wish the both of you luck!

Answer 4

The SPCA does a lot of good, but for those of us that rescue what others have neglected - the SPCA can be a handfull.

One idea is to take pictures of the horse and a vet report and submit that to your local SPCA so they have on record that your complying and working with your vet to better the condition of the horse (or other animal).

Also let your neighbors know what your doing and that its not you causing the problem, but your the one trying to fix what someone else caused.

Answer 5

I understand your frustration. Organizations like the SPCA do a lot of good and are horribly underfunded. I think it's good that they are looking into a sick, possibly abused horse, even though they have the wrong idea about you.

I know you feel harrassed. Your pride is probably wounded, too. You are doing a wonderful think for that old horse. Don't let your frustration make you lose sight of the good you are trying to do.

Answer 6

At one time if you had one bale of hay on the place that was all you needed. You did not have to feed to the horse.
But now we have gone to far the other way. Were it is going to be against the law for anyone that is not rich to have a horse.
No a lot of stories about them going in and telling people if they do not get rid of the old horse they would take all the horses. So people are putting the older horse down. If you give it to rescue they have came back and sue people for the vet bills.
Look at the breeders that are selling out. Or cutting back. I know of people that are cutting back now. That they are going to the higher end price mares. That will give them foals worth $10,000 or more. And just have less mares.
It is going to hit the farmers hard.
I have years learn markteting. If the horse breeder can not breed extra foals a year. And have a market for them. They are not going to breed. If they have too many stud colts. They are going to kill them. Like the quarter horse people did to the spotted foals. Before there was a market for them. The spotted breeders are not going to raise the breeding stock anymore. There is going to be less horses. I hope I live long enough to see the people face when they see that only the rich has horses.
So keep this up and see where it gets you. Read for once. A real good book is the Running Man. The movie is not like the book. But I already see a lot of want is happing in the world is in that book.
But we should only think about today and are wants.
Hate to tell you rescue people drive around when they see a group of horse they want and you have one that they can say is even to fat. They come in and take all your horses. Yes they are taking horses that are to fat too. And if you get them to lose weight then they are to thin. When you make some one GOD. That is what you get. They are going to make you put it to sleep. Or give it to them. Then send you a bill for it.

Hope you like!! Join the freedom fighters. We have to fight to get the USA back.

Answer 7

no i dislike the people who call them for no reason. they see your horse in bad condition and call the spca. the spca are just doing their job, but the people need to talk to you before calling. so the people are wrong! just clean up your barn a bit and people will stop harassing you.
hi babz!!!

Answer 8

I understand, we had an old mule with CHF that looked like that too but luckily we didn't live near anyone.

The SPCA definately should of talked to your vet and if they do harrass you one more time and they haven't talked to your vet by now, I would more than likely send them a letter from an attorney.

You have done everything right, they need to follow through on their end now.

Sorry to hear about all that.

Answer 9

No There just making sure your taking excellent care of your pets.

Answer 10

Maybe you can put some weight on the horse by feeding him on moistened alfalfa pellets or a high fat pellet type food,also moistened.You could even try cooked oats with some corn oil and cooked apples and carrots.The poor fellow must be hungry,and it's shame to think of him wanting to eat,but not being able to.I would try everything to get some food into him,and a bit of weight on him,and then they will surely leave you alone.

To the person above who is saying I'm stupid,read my answer again,I said MOISTENED pellets and COOKED oats, apple and carrots! I do have animals and I'm not stupid,and maybe she loves that horse ,but it wouldn't be very pleasant to be hungry all the time,and not be able to eat.Starvation is a slow,agonizing death.I'm just suggesting ways to get some food into the poor thing,so the SPCA will leave her alone.