Rain causes major financial setback for local horse rescue
Reporter: Corinne Hautala
TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) – During a desperate time, a huge setback for a local horse rescue organization. Heart of Tucson’s largest fundraiser of the year didn’t generate the money expected.
Erica Reid, with Heart of Tucson, says she thinks the rain kept people away from the outdoor fundraiser last Sunday. The organization hoped to raise at least $7 thousand, but ended up raising less than $3 thousand.
“It was very disappointing. Unfortunately, you can't do anything about the weather,” said Reid.
Heart of Tucson has about 30 horses in its care. One them, is Dyna King, a 15-year old stakes winner. Reid says he was found abandoned and malnourished, but in their care he quickly began to improve.
Just this week, Dyna King got sick again.
“Both his front hooves are really hurting him. He can't put his weight on his front feet,” she explained.
Reid says the rescue gets multiple calls a day about abandoned horses, but with limited space and money they aren’t able to take them all in.
“The medicine is very expensive,” said Reid.
In addition to medicine, the price of hay has doubled from last year. Reid says the organization purchased a truckload of hay for $7 thousand, which will only last about a month in a half.
Heart of Tucson will repeat last weekend fundraiser, this Saturday in hopes of collecting more funds for the horses.
The fundraiser will be at Pantano Stables Wedding Park, 4450 S. Houghton Road. It runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“We want to help horses like Dyna King,” said Reid. “It’s heartbreaking to not help them.”
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