Shirley

I was orphaned when I was only three months old and I suffered from developmental problems because of a lack of mother's milk. In the SPCA stables they take care of me and I even have an adopted mother - Cheetah - who watches out for me and never leaves me for even a moment

The filly, Shirley, was born on a farm where conditions for rearing her were inappropriate. Her mother was in depleted physical condition, which prevented her from nursing Shirley and caused developmental problems. She reached the SPCA stables when she was three months old, suffering from undernourishment, a weakened pelvic area and hind legs and had a limp. Due to the lack of mother’s milk, she was underweight so was given nutritional supplements and a milk substitute suited to foals.

During the last few months Shirley has gained strength and is slowly gaining weight. She underwent professional hoof-trimming and dental filing, and in order to strengthen and rehabilitate the pelvic area and her legs, the stables staff worked with her consistently, taking her for slow, gentle walks on a rope lead. From her first day in the SPCA stables, Shirley was adopted by Cheetah, a mature, eighteen year old mare.

Update: 2.5 years after Shirley started her rehabilitation process, we found for her a farm, and now she enjoys quiet life with other horses.

Cheetah

For long years, I slaved away pulling wagons while my health was neglected. Luckily for me, I reached the SPCA stables, where I am undergoing rehabilitation and getting professional, medical care. In the stables I adopted Shirley, a young orphaned filly

For many years Cheetah, a mature, eighteen year old mare, worked as a slave, pulling heavy wagons and suffering abuse while her medical problems were neglected. She arrived at the SPCA stables with severe wounds and in extremely low physical condition. During her rehabilitation Cheetah was given disinfecting washes, fed nourishing food, had her hoofs trimmed and her teeth filed. Gradually she gained weight under a controlled regimen.

One month after Cheetah came here to us, a young filly, named Shirley, joined the stables. Amazing Cheetah adopted her and doesn’t leave her for a moment.

Cheetah enjoys a cool, refreshing shower

Cheetah and her adopted daughter, Shirley

Update: In the end of the rehabilitation process Cheetah was adopted by owners of a private horse farm.

The Foundling

An orphaned filly and an older mare were rescued from the cycle of suffering

Raising animals requires dedicated care, attention and a lot of love, without which the results can be calamitous. Shirley, a six-month old filly, experienced this personally together with her mother, when their owners did not provide them with appropriate care. The mother, 16 years old, was in an extremely depleted physical state, as a result of which she couldn’t nurse her filly, causing problems in her development.

The mother died three months ago, and Shirley the orphan, who was then a young, three-month-old filly, reached the Horses Home in the SPCA, where horses and donkeys are rehabilitated after suffering neglect and abuse. She was underweight and weak in the pelvis area and hind legs, and, due to a lack of mother’s milk, she needed to gain weight and was started on nutritional supplements and milk substitutes adapted for foals.

Over the past few months, Shirley has slowly gained weight and strength. She underwent two professional hoof-trimming treatments, and in order to strengthen and rehabilitate her pelvic area and legs, the stable staff is working with her continually, leading her by rope for gentle walks.

The one who adopted Shirley and is following her every step, is Cheetah, an eighteen year old mare, who reached the SPCA four months ago, suffering from wounds and in poor physical state herself. During her rehabilitation, Cheetah was given disinfecting washes, fed nutritious food, had her hooves trimmed and has gained weight.

Cheetah - Looking for a warm home — Cheetah – Looking for a warm home

Both the mares, that are inseparable, have to get further vaccinations and worming shots, while Cheetah must have her teeth filed. Now we are looking for reliable adoptive homes with people who have a stable and are experienced in caring for horses. Cheetah can be ridden part of the time while Shirley still needs to be led and helped to recuperate.

The costs of the special foods, vaccinations and treatments that Shirley and Cheetah need, come to thousands of NIS and we are approaching the public to help us rehabilitate them by making donations. Every donation, big or small, will help us to help these two mares.

To contribute, Click here.

Rehabilitation Wing

Four horses that underwent rehabilitation in the SPCA Horses Home are looking for responsible new owners

In the past few weeks, four horses have been admitted to the SPCA Horses Home, where we rehabilitate horses and donkeys that have suffered neglect and abuse at the hands of their owners:

Crembo, is a white, particularly friendly 12 year old local breed horse. He reached us about a month ago in bad condition with signs of chafing on his legs. During the past few weeks he was given Polydine rinses and his condition rapidly improved. He has been neutered and still needs to be vaccinated, dewormed and have professional hoof trimming. He is suitable for light riding and is looking for owners who will care for him with love.

Alpha, a five year old grey, local breed mare, reached us a month and a half ago. She was neglected and in poor condition, since her owners hadn’t taken care of her properly. Since her arrival she has been given special food and nutritional supplements and now has to have her teeth filed, be vaccinated, dewormed and have professional hoof trimming. According to the team, she is a charming horse, easy going and suitable for riding and is looking for owners who will adopt her and continue to feed her appropriately so that she will continue to gain a little more weight and flourish.

Cleopatra, a seven year old, local breed mare, reached our Horses Home about one month ago after her owners were negligent in their care of her. For the past month she has been fed special food and has already gained weight. Now she needs to have her teeth filed, be vaccinated, dewormed and have professional hoof trimming. She is suitable for light riding and soon she will complete the rehabilitation process and will be ready to find new and loving owners.

Maria, a nine year-old, local breed mare, reached us about a year and a half ago, totally exhausted and in very bad physical condition. She suffered from multiple wounds and severe pain. She underwent a long rehabilitation process in our Horses Home and eventually was transferred to a farm that wished to adopt her. A month and a half ago Maria came back to us, after her new owners found it too challenging to take care of her. She had lost a little weight and suffered from a sore in her eye. In recent weeks she was given Polydine washes and nutritional supplements to restore her to good health. She still has to have her hooves trimmed and be dewormed and we hope that soon she will be ready for adoption.

Rehabilitation of the horses and donkeys in the SPCA Horses Home involves much expense for veterinary treatments and quality food. Your generous support will help us to bear the costs of caring for these animals. To contribute, Click here.

For anyone interested in adopting one of these horses or donkeys: The horses that are rehabilitated in our Horses Home need responsible owners who have stables or farms and are experienced in raising horses. The horses are given up for adoption for no charge following a visit by one of our representatives to the site. For further details and enquiries regarding adoption, please contact us at: *4553 or 03-5136500.

Hamsa

The SPCA team rescued me when I was on the verge of death. They took care of me with much dedication and now, very gradually, I am getting stronger. I am fed special, nutritious food that helps me to gain weight, but my rehabilitation process is expected to take a very long time

The horse Hamsa (7 years old) was found in the Taibe area, wounded and very underweight. She had collapsed from exhaustion and could not get back up on her feet. With much effort, the team managed to lift her on to a trailer and take her to the Society’s stables.

Hamsa where she was found - exhausted and unable to stand — Hamsa where she was found – exhausted and unable to stand

According to the veterinarian who examined her, she was on the verge of death and, had she not been rescued, it is likely that she would have died within a few days. The examination also revealed that she was dehydrated, malnourished, in need of hoof trimming after a long period of neglect, and needed to have her teeth filed. She was also put on an intensive course of antibiotics to treat a serious open wound on her back, apparently caused by misuse of her saddle.

The rehabilitation process - nourishing food and treatment for the open wounds — The rehabilitation process – nourishing food and treatment for the open wounds

In addition to antibiotics, Hamsa was given analgesics and now her wounds are healing. The main challenge was to help her gain weight and in order to achieve this, she was put on a diet of highly nutritious food and expensive dietary supplements but, due to the condition of her teeth, she had difficulty eating. After a few weeks, during which time Hamsa got a little stronger, her teeth were filed and now it is easier for her to eat. She has become more vivacious but still suffers from exhaustion, spends a lot of time lying down, and the weight-gaining process is expected to be prolonged.

Update: In the end of the rehabilitation process Hamsa was adopted by a private horse farm near Ashkelon.

Paz

Long years of forced labor and neglect had left their mark on me, till the SPCA team rescued me from my torture and brought me to the safety of the Society's stables. Now I am undergoing rehabilitation and upon completion of the process I will be found new and loving owners

For a long time Paz (12 years old) was forced to work, pulling heavy, loaded wagons while her owners neglected her health. The result: long hooves that weren’t treated and affected his balance, substandard weight, wounds and chafing caused by improvised harnessing, and worms.

Following a report to the SPCA call center from passers-by, she was brought to our stables and started on her rehabilitation process which included nourishing food to help her gain weight, deworming, professional hoof trimming and shoeing, and ongoing care of her wounds.

The forced labor and neglect are now behind her - Paz is in good hands — The forced labor and neglect are now behind her – Paz is in good hands

Paz’s condition improved gradually and she is in the midst of the rehabilitation process.

Update: In the end of the rehabilitation process Paz was adopted by owners of a private horse farm.

Gingi

Hard labor, pulling heavy loads, beating and criminal neglect were the daily reality of my life till I came here to the SPCA stables. The SPCA staff began to rehabilitate me with great devotion and today I feel much better and hope soon to find a new home

Adorable Gingi (7 years old) was abandoned in Tel Aviv where he was found in bad condition: thin, exhausted, suffering from many wounds and deep cuts in the hip area that caused him terrible pain while his neglected hooves testified to the fact that he hadn’t been cared for, over a long period of time.

Exhausted, thin and suffering from cuts all over his body

When he was brought to the SPCA stables and underwent a veterinary examination, Gingi was started on a course of antibiotics and analgesics, along with rest and nourishing food. Once he gained a little strength, Gingi was administered a deworming injection and given professional hoof trimming.

From slavery to freedom - Gingi at the beginning of the rehabilitation process — From slavery to freedom – Gingi at the beginning of the rehabilitation process

Now Gingi is continuing to gain weight gradually, his wounds are healing and we hope that soon he will be ready to go to a new and responsible adoptive home.

Update: In the end of the rehabilitation process Gingi was adopted by a private horse farm in the north of the country.

Mogli

Strenuous work, lifting heavy loads and being severely beaten were my lot in life, till I was saved and brought to the SPCA stables. The SPCA team took loving care of me and today I am healthy, my weight is normal and all I found a loving adoptive home

Mogli, a 9 year old horse, reached the SPCA stables after a long period of forced labor. He was found harnessed to a wagon loaded with iron in South Tel Aviv, in poor condition, hungry and wounded.

Forced labor - Mogli harnessed to a wagon — Forced labor – Mogli harnessed to a wagon

There were cuts on his body, apparently caused by the iron bars and the harnessing that was unprofessionally fitted, his legs were swollen from the strenuous work, his hooves were neglected and had not been trimmed for a long time.

Mogli when he arrived at the Society - thin, hungry and wounded — Mogli when he arrived at the Society – thin, hungry and wounded

On veterinary recommendation, Mogli was given a long period of recuperation, his wounds were tended and he was provided with special food. When his hooves grew he was given professional hoof-trimming, and he was also neutered and given all the required vaccinations.

Mogli during the period of rehabilitation, gaining weight and with his wounds treated

Mogli has reached standard weight, his state of health improved and after a long process of rehabilitation we found for him an adoptive home.

Maria

Having suffering terrible abuse and when I could no longer work, I was abandoned and left in dreadful pain. Fortunately I was brought to the SPCA Horses' Guest House, where I was treated devotedly and underwent a long process of rehabilitation. Today the pain and hard work are merely a distant memory

Maria, 8 year old horse, was found roaming in South Tel Aviv, apparently after her owners had abused her over a long period of time. They had deprived her of food and left her to her fate when her strength gave out and she could no longer work. Maria was emaciated and in very bad condition. She was dehydrated and battered all over her body. A veterinarian specialist who was called to the Society determined that she was totally exhausted, suffering from malnutrition and wounds in her rib area and on both her sides. In the neck area she had infected open wounds and one of her legs was extremely swollen.

Maria in the place she was found, thin and exhausted

Maria was given intensive care for a long time and her sores were drained and disinfected. Special food with vitamin supplements brought about a consistent weight gain, and when her pain decreased, she became more relaxed and calm. Later on Maria was given deworming treatment, teeth filing and hoof trimming.

After a long process of rehabilitation, we found for Maria a farm, and today she lives happily in good conditions (main photo).

Oliver

If you had seen me when I first got here, you wouldn't believe your eyes today. I was a scared, young and obstinate foal suffering from malnutrition and unable to trust anyone. Madonna adopted and nursed me and slowly but surely I managed to gain weight Today I am a healthy and friendly horse

Oliver, 1.5 year old foal, was found wandering around the Um el Fahum area in a state of dehydration and suffering from acute malnutrition. Oliver’s rehabilitation in the Society stables, that included primarily providing nutritional supplements and a lot of love, took a very long time because most of the time he refused to eat and didn’t allow anyone to come near him. Those who helped him were his fellow horses, especially Madonna, a mature mare who adopted him and even nursed him; her young foal, Justin and another foal called Brigitte.

Oliver on the day he reached the stables - thin, exhausted and scared — Oliver on the day he reached the stables – thin, exhausted and scared

After many long months of rehabilitation Oliver was declared a success story. From an emaciated foal, sick and frightened to death he was transformed into a handsome horse, both sociable and confident. Today he has reached his correct weight and lives a happy and healthy life in the Society’s Guest House for Horses.

Oliver today - an energetic and healthy foal — Oliver today – an energetic and healthy foal

Update: Oliver’s rehabilitation process took almost two years, and at the age of four he has finally found a permanent and safe home in a private farm in the Judean Hills.