South West Florida Horse Rescue a recovery haven for equines in need
When people think of animal rescues, they often think of the Cape Coral Animal Shelter or ARC in North Fort Myers
But animals in need come in all sizes from the small to the tall and horses are too often among those needing rescue and South West Florida Horse Rescue, Inc. serves as “the home for rehabilitating abandoned horses of Southwest Florida.”
The rescue was founded by Tina Garrett and Matt Venaleck.
They were horse owners who saw a need to save the lives of local horses in need.
What became their passion in 2010 was first funded from their own pockets.
A feature in the Fort Myers News-Press in 2012 and a $450,000 grant from the president of a foundation for the purchase the now 40-acre property from which the rescue operates off SR 31 near Babcock Ranch took things to a whole new level.
“We work with the sheriff’s department for seizures,” she said. “When the sheriff department gets involved for a horse that is neglected and abandoned, they seize the horse and contact us. We will make room for the horses. We don’t want to see them go the livestock auction.”
The rescue takes in some of the “worst cases — walking skeletons.” With their big support system and a fabulous veterinarian, they are able to save most horses.
“I am not saying we can save them all, but God knows we will try. We will do anything we can possibly do to save the lives of local horses,” Garrett said. “Some don’t reach out soon enough or weren’t caught soon enough. There are some situations that are very sad. You just wish people had reached out for help. These horses – they don’t ask to be owned by someone that isn’t going to feed them. Why would you own something that you can’t take care of?”
The rescue has been able to adopt numerous horses that were saved, which she said is fabulous. Those who adopt are well aware of the commitment they are making to owning a horse.
“You will not walk out of here not knowing how much it is going to cost you to take care of this horse for the rest of its life. You are going to know that. There is no surprise,” Garrett said.
Sharing the education of knowing how to take care of a horse has been a constant for the rescue, as has coming up with innovative ways to raise money to support the horses in their care. A seizure from Collier County that found its way to the rescue is one of those examples. The horse, renamed Titan, escaped his enclosure and started walking around a rural part of the county. The sheriff’s office was called, the owners were tracked down and arrested, as the horse was “purely a skeleton with skin stretched across him.”
“We did a name game. The intake expense is the most costly for the rescue because when they first come to us we have to get them up to date on everything. It is not cheap,” she said.
The name game, which runs for seven days, allows the public to vote on their favorite name – a dollar a vote.
“Titan was the winning name, and I think we raised $1,500. That money goes into their intake expenses,” Garrett said.
There are other ways the community can help support the rescue — a recent addition is through the Horse Angel Program, a sponsorship opportunity for their senior sanctuary horses – the horses that will never leave the rescue.
“Those horses cost just as much if not more than a healthy rideable horse,” she said.
The great thing about this sponsorship opportunity is an individual can decide how much, how often and which horse they would like to sponsor.
“We have probably up to 30 horse angels so far. Everybody loves it because on your birthday you get a birthday card from your horse. At Christmas you get a Christmas card from your horse,” Garrett said.
The hope is to have angel wing plaques made for outside of the horse’s stall, so individuals can see how many, if any, are for each horse.
Another way to give back is through volunteerism – an opportunity needed year-round. Those interested can visit swfhr.org and sign up for orientation, visit the rescue and fill out the volunteer form.
“We want to make sure this is something they can do, something they want to do,” Garrett said of why the orientation is required.
If still interested, the volunteer will shadow a seasoned volunteer until they are ready to work on their own.
“Some of the parents bring their kids out. They all volunteer. It’s like a family day. What better way to spend time with kids,” she said.
A message shared among all the volunteers is that the horses belong to everyone.
“They need all of us to take care of them, not just Tina and Matt. We encourage our volunteers when they talk about this rescue – call it yours, it is,” Garrett said.
Donations — monetary, in-kind, select goods and wish list items — are always welcome.
Visit swfhr.org/donate/ .
Fundraisers help make the rescue possible
There are a number of fundraisers planned to help raise money for a horse rescue in Charlotte County over the next few months.
Tina Garrett and Matt Venaleck, who co-founded Southwest Florida Horse Rescue in 2010 in North Fort Myers, kicked off a slew of fundraisers with a Babcock Ranch sponsored charity golf tournament on Oct. 14.
“This is our first one. We have always wanted to do a golf tournament,” Garrett said, adding that they got together with some of their board members, as well as people from Babcock Ranch to make it happen.
“It should be a very good turnout and hopefully we raise lots of money for horses for the Southwest Florida Horse Rescue,” she said before the event, adding that the money will benefit the horses. “We have 21 horses in our care. Basic care for 21 horses as of right now is quite substantial.”
The golf charity event raised $18,700.
The fundraising will continue in December at the American Legion, Post 336 in North Fort Myers for their quarter auction. A date has yet to be set for the 15-year fundraiser.
A Chili Cook Off will be held in March, and a wine tasting fundraiser with the Rotary Club of Babcock Ranch is in the works with a date to be determined.