HiCaliber Horse Rescue Forced to Leave Their Home
Escondio, CA (PRWEB) June 22, 2014 -- Michelle Cochran, who founded HiCaliber Horse Rescue (HCHR) in 2002, must find a home for over 50 horses in various stages of rescue and rehabilitation. For nearly 6 years, HCHR has been nestled in the eucalyptus grove at the base of the Monastery; a safe haven for abused, starved, abandoned and homeless horses. Deer Park Monastery has told Cochran that the horses must be off of their land within 90 days.
HCHR is a home away from home for over 30 volunteers as well as, several neighbors who visit and care for the ranch daily. Many of the horses are healing from injuries or are well into their golden years which require experienced care and attention. Another half dozen are recovering starvation cases from local Animal Control agencies, who entrust the horses to HiCaliber and their progressive medical team that consists of 3 veterinarians, an emergency medicine tech, and several holistic practitioners.
“We have a 100% recovery rate with rehabilitation of the most severe starvation cases Southern California has ever seen. Emaciated horses have delicate digestive systems that require round the clock care and an experienced team,” says Cochran. “We provide refuge for equines that often have nowhere else to go; many are facing euthanasia at municipal animal shelters due to medical or behavioral issues. Municipal shelters are already understaffed and over populated; they are dog and cat experts – but we are the horse experts and they need our help. Any time we can lighten their load by 1100lbs, it's a good feeling for all involved.”
HCHR is run by Michelle Cochran, a former Animal Control Officer, Dr. Daniel Grove of West Coast Equine Medicine, Niki Avila a registered veterinary technician, and Miles Dunbar, a horse trainer with Dunbar Sport Horses. Their unique approach to rescue and no holds barred Facebook page has created a unique grassroots organization of passionate horse advocates who are putting a positive spin on an often times sad venture. To date they have rescued over 100 horses from abuse, neglect and slaughter, all while offering educational programs, and providing support to owners in crisis.
In order to keep HiCaliber operating, several donors have stepped up to assist with funding the relocation, but more help is needed. Our fund-raising goal of $700,000 in 90 days may be quite a lofty aspiration, but with the disappointing news to vacate, along with the communities desire to support our growth, there is no greater time to launch this venture. The donations from small to large will greatly impact the new found growth while at the same time, provide our team and horses with long-term security that leasing failed to offer.
Despite the massive under taking that HCHR will go through, the silver lining to this transition is that it will allow us the continuing opportunity to assist more horses and expand our current programs, one of which includes: “Horses as Healers” a flagship protocol which is geared towards children, domestic violence victims, and veterans. Furthermore, the municipal animal control agencies can continue to utilize our facility in a more substantial capacity. Too often, rescue is portrayed as a losing battle that leaves you feeling guilty and depressed,” said Cochran “At HiCaliber, we ARE making a difference, and having fun while doing it. Our horses light the way and our loyalty is always to them. There is no time to be sad when you are lucky enough to be surrounded by an animal as noble as the horse. HCHR refuses to dwell on what we can’t do but rather celebrate in what we can.”
HiCaliber Horse Rescue is a California Registered Charity, for more information or to make a tax-deductible donation, please visit our website: http://www.hicaliber.org or visit our GoFundMe website: http://www.gofundme.com/ak14w0.
About HiCaliber Horse Rescue, Inc.
Founded in 2002 by Michelle Cochran, a former Animal Control Officer who had been rescuing privately for more than ten years, HCHR is dedicated to the protection and rescue of abandoned and abused horses while emphasizing community education, encouraging compassion and supporting responsible ownership. HiCaliber Horse Rescue saves horses from extreme neglect, horses in jeopardy, and currently haven to nearly 50 rescued horses.
Dawne Morris, http://www.proteus420.com, +1 858-688-6087, [email protected]
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