HERO Project

The Horse Emergency Response Operation (HERO) project offers an innovative approach to dealing with the spike in cases of horse neglect brought on by the convergence of job losses, foreclosures, and dramatic increases in the cost of feed, hay, and veterinary services.

With animal control budgets already stretched to the max and so few people with facilities or means to take in horses, thousands of well-meaning owners are finding themselves unable to provide for their horses, leading to a surge in cases of neglect.

Confronted with this unfortunate reality, The HERO Project takes an "all hands on" approach to the problem. Facilitating the partnership of public and private groups will make efficient and responsible use of available resources in order to create viable alternatives for owners who no longer have the means to care for their horses. In addition to animals caught in the economic downturn, there have been several natural disasters in recent history which have exposed the need to provide disaster rescue information to local animal control agencies and owners who might be lacking specific knowledge of animal populations in their areas of responsibility. The Grace Foundation is in the unique position of being able to include an Out-Reach program which addresses problems including micro-chipping, capturing animal information, and available transportation.

How Can I Help?

The most immediate need for The HERO Project at this point in time is funding.

What Services Will The HERO Project Provide?

As a member of the HERO project, your generous contribution toward this collaborative endeavor will help to provide the following services:

Shelter, medical assessment, and sanctuary at The Grace Foundation
Relief and assistance in order to prevent cases of impending neglect
Food vouchers and veterinary services to help qualified owners
Owner Out-Reach
Education
On-site medical treatment
Placement and adoption of horses to qualified adopters

What Kind of an Impact Will My Contribution Have?

Between anticipatory outreach, education, and the use of The Grace Foundation facilities, The HERO Project has the potential to save literally thousands of horses, not to mention the human lives that will be enriched and heartaches avoided as a result of your partnership in this endeavor. As a member of The HERO Project, you will be kept up to date on the progress made and the lives you've touched. Though no single program can put an end to the problem of horse abuse and neglect, you have the power to make a difference, and any contribution you can afford to make in support of this cause will have a significant impact.

As the story goes, there was a wise man who, at one time, went to the ocean to do his writing. One day he was walking along the shore; as he looked down the beach, he saw a human figure moving like a dancer. As he got closer, he saw that it was a girl, and she wasn't dancing, instead was reaching down to the shore picking up something and very gently throwing it into the ocean. As the man got closer he called out, "Good morning! What are you doing?" The girl paused, looked up and replied, "Throwing Starfish into the ocean." "I guess I should have asked; why are you throwing Starfish into the ocean?" asked the man. "The sun is up and the tide is going out and if I don't throw them in, they'll die," she answered. "But don't you realize there are miles and miles of beach and Starfish all along it. You can't possibly make a difference!" The girl listened politely, then bent down, picked up another Starfish and threw it into the sea, past the breaking waves and said to the man, "It made a difference for that one."

Like the girl in the story, we must all find our Starfish and do our small part to make a difference in the world.

To make a donation to the HERO Project please click here