Dear Friends of RTF,
We’re just hours away from a Sunday night deadline to raise $40,000 toward our sanctuary’s feed bill.
So far, about 300 people have come forward to make donations of all sizes, and we couldn’t be more grateful for your generosity.
As the deadline looms, we remain about halfway to our goal.
Our ability to have high-quality hay delivered by the semi-tractor trailer-load will be essential this year—Although the hills and pastures at the sanctuary are turning green, a drier-than-usual winter means that the grass is woefully short. Last year at this time, the grass stood almost chest-deep on our wild horses in places; this year, the blades range from stubble to barely knee-deep, with a long, dry summer looming as we continue to haul water in.
We’re digging in, as we must, for another hard fight in Washington, D.C., to protect the right to freedom for wild horses and burros on the range, but caring for our resident animals is our first priority, as it has been each and every day of RTF’s 20 years.
With last year’s rescue of the 120-member Gila herd from what could have been a terrifying truck ride to a public auction where most would end up being sold for slaughter, we’re now responsible for about 500 wild horses and 42 burros at five locations.
As you can imagine, it is a huge challenge to pay for all this. Our small dedicated crew is willing to do the hard work involved, but we are only able to succeed with the help of many other people like you, most of whom we will never be lucky enough to meet in person. However, the wonderful thing about sanctuaries is that there is always the possibility that you can visit, meet the team and the mustangs and burros you are helping, as well as participate in any number of ways including educational safaris, herd immersion, tours and volunteer days.
What we all share is our determination that our sanctuary’s wild horses and burros, so many of whom were ripped from their rightful ranges, and those still on our public lands or in government facilities, are treated fairly and with respect for their social and physical well-being.
If you have not had the opportunity to do so already, would you consider chipping in today so that we can ensure our sanctuary’s gates remain open for the deserving resident wild horses and burros that roam our hills and pastures?
We simply can’t do this without you.
With gratitude, always,
Neda DeMayo and all of us at Return to Freedom