Cody would have died within months if he hadn’t been rescued and taken to Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary in Scio. Cody was living outside near Silverton in the rainy, winter months along with three other horses all trying to sustain themselves on winter pasture which has little to no nutritional value.
Cody is one of the horses suffering from malnutrition and neglect that was recently seized by Marion County Sheriff Dept. A one-eyed Arabian gelding, a Palamino mare and an Appaloosa gelding were found abandoned near Crooked Finger Road near Scotts Mills.
“This appears to be another situation of people making irresponsible decisions due to the pressures of the economy” said Wayne Geiger, director of the Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary, “but an abandoned horse can suffer for many months during the harsh winter before either being rescued or dying.”
A nonprofit organization, Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and placement of neglected and abused farm animals. LFHS works to educate the community about farm animal welfare and advocates for public policy change. Located on 54 acres in Scio, LHFS presently shelters and cares for several hundred different farm animals.
Dr. Terry Gerros of Santiam Equine examined two 18-month-old horses that were found to be undersized, underweight and infested with parasites.
Receiving phone calls to take in neglected animals has become a regular occurrence at Lighthouse.
Geiger recently received word that three more horses and more than 30 llamas need safe and secure homes where they can receive the care they require to bring them back to optimum health.
“Many rescue facilities are simply full and bursting at the seams,” Geiger said. “The sanctuary is willing to absorbed the horses into the fold, but we are simply out of room for that many llamas.”
Regardless, Geiger says he will provide them all homes on a temporary basis if needed.
“We can’t let this continue, but we are calling for help from the community,” Geiger said.
Those with the ability to contribute financially can send contributions to P.O. Box 451, Scio, OR 97374.
Those who can help with hay and grain or can provide adequate housing, contact the Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary at 503-394-4486.
For more information visit the LHFS Web site at www.lighthousefarmsanctuary.org or email: info@lighthousefarmsanctuary.org
