The Saskatchewan SPCA is looking for help after seizing 25 neglected horses in late March.
Kaley Pugh, manager of animal services with the SPCA, said her organization spent about $7,000 to take possession of the animals following a lengthy investigation.
The SPCA is now incurring additional costs associated with feeding and caring for the animals, she added.
Temporary or permanent homes are being sought for at least 20 of the seized horses, including seven bred mares, one mature stallion, one weanling, three colts, seven fillies and two miniature horses.
“New homes are urgently needed for the animals,” Pugh said.
The Saskatchewan SPCA has a caregiver program that provides short- and long-term care to rescued horses but there are currently not enough caregivers registered to handle the seized animals.
The agency is also looking for a short-term caregiver to care for the seized horses until permanent homes can be found.
People wishing to adopt one of the horses will have to pay a $150 adoption fee to cover feed and other costs.
Pugh said the animals have had varying levels of handling. The mares appear to be quiet. The younger animals have had minimal handling and may need to be halter broken.
The late March seizure is the latest in a rash of cases involving cattle and horses in Saskatchewan.
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In late February, the Saskatchewan SPCA reported that the number and severity of cases involving cattle and horses was up sharply.
Over a three month period beginning December 2012, the SPCA reported a 76 percent increase in cases involving cattle and an 89 percent increase in cases involving horses, relative to the same period a year earlier.
Severe cases were also more common, the SPCA said.
“The majority of Saskatchewan cattle producers and horse owners do a very good job caring for their animals. That’s why it’s particularly disturbing when we encounter situations where animals have suffered long-term neglect and are clearly in distress,” said Pugh.
