Halo's Haven Rescue in the News

KENT ISLAND RUNNING GROUP] FAST & FURRIEST RUN FOR THE RESCUES

Sat, 06 Apr 2024 11:56:52 GMT

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FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS SAVIOR!

Fri, 05 Apr 2024 16:23:29 GMT

Heartbreaking news about this beautiful Savior!

Savior was in a lot of pain that couldn't be managed through medication, so a heart wrenching decision needed to be made to relieve him of pain, Savior was a horse whose journey was as remarkable as it was tragic. Born into a life of labor and hardship, he toiled for years, serving humans with unwavering dedication. Despite the challenges he faced,Savior remained gentle and kind, TESTAMENT to his resilient spirit.

His life took a dramatic turn when he cast aside, thrown into a bleak and uncertain future at a slaughter lot. it was there, amidst the noise and chaos, that his fate hung in the balance. But fate had other plans for Savior, as a kindhearted rescuer stepped in, offering him a second chance at life.

Under the care of the rescue organization, Savior blossomed. Surrounded by love compassion, he regained his strength and trust in humans. His rescuers marveled at his resilience, his ability to forgive and embrace the new life laid out before him.

However, despite their best efforts, Savior's past caught up with him. Years of hard labor had taken their toll, leaving him with a crippling ailment that no amount of care could remedy. The rescuers were faced

with a heart-wrenching decision: to end Savior's suffering and let him go peacefully.

In his final moments, Savior was surrounded by those who loved him. His rescuers whispered words of comfort, thanking him for the joy and inspiration he brought into their lives. With a heavy heart and tear-filled eyes, they said their goodbyes, knowing that Savior's spirit would live on in their hearts forever.

Savior's story serves as a reminder of resilience of the equine spirit and the importance of showing compassion to all creatures, no matter their past. His legacy lives on in the hearts of those who knew him, a beacon of hope inspiration for all strive to make a difference in the lives of animals.

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CAPTAIN RESCUED FROM NYC KILL SHELTER

Tue, 26 Mar 2024 16:31:13 GMT

MEET OUR NEW RESCUE CAPTAIN!!!!

The story of CAPTAIN : In the bustling streets of New York City, admidst the towering buildings and busy sidewalks, there lived a young Husky named Captain . At only two years old, Captain had already experienced more hardship than most dogs do in a lifetime. Abandoned and left to fend for himself, he found himself in the city's high-kill shelter, where his future looked bleak.

But Captain was not alone in his plight. Halo's Haven Rescue noticed a feed on Instagram from NYCACC URGENT TO BE KILLED!!!We acted fast and filled out applications to the shelter and Happy -go-Lucky Master dog Rescue. This rescue works with shelters to get dogs transported to new owners. We could see the spark of life in his eyes, a spark that deserved to be nurtured and cherished.

With hearts full of hope, Halo's Haven Rescue made necessary arrangements for Captain to be transported to the farm in St.Michael's, Maryland. When we laid eyes on Captain, we were struck by his beauty and gentle demeanor. Despite his time in the shelter, Captain remained friendly and trusting, his spirit unbroken. He did experience horrible separation anxiety! Captain was let down by the previous owners.

Captain was captivated by the horses in the stalls and cats in the barn. He explored the San Domingo Creek that runs along the farm. He did come with health issues that needed medication. He will be rechecked this Sunday at the veterinary office which will consist of bloodwork and a stool sample.

Captains story is far from over. It is a testament to the resilience of dogs and the power of compassion. With the help of Halos Haven Rescue, Captain went from a lonely shelter in New York City to a loving rescue. We are helping him progress on his journey through life, please help us help him!

Stellar in Training

haloshavenrescuefarm@gmail.com (Michelle Louis) — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 19:58:00 GMT

Our rescue Stellar is in training right now at Eldorado Farm with Jimmy Wagner. He is doing great and Jimmy is bringing out the beautiful mover in him. In this video, he is setting up obstacle courses for Stellar to help "Bomb Proof" him. This is after numerous months of Ground Work and under saddle.

Welcome Savior to HHF

haloshavenrescuefarm@gmail.com (Michelle Louis) — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 18:49:44 GMT

Rescued Percheron joins the HHF family

After 30 days of quarantine, we welcomed this lovely giant teddy bear to our farm. We named him Savior because of the cross on his face.

He was at Moore's Kill Lot ready to be shipped to slaughter in Pennsylvania. After he was rescued, he went to quarantine to make sure he didn't have any illnesses or disease that the other horses could get, such as EPV.

He will be evaluated, and he is being treated for Thrush right now.

He has the best disposition and is so kind and quiet. He is willing to go anywhere being led.

This gentle man will be in rehabilitation until we know he has fully recovered from injuries and medical concerns (such as the Thrush).

Perhaps one of the slowest recoveries will be the injuries he sustained on his face due to a halter or bridle being left on him that he clearly outgrew , so much so that it created indents and rubs.

We believe he is about 17 or 18 and given time, love and care, this wonderful Percheron will move on to another profession such trail riding.

If you would like to contribute to Savior's rehabilitation, please click on the Donate Now button at the top of this page.

Thank you!

Woman receives probation on animal charges

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 20:35:56 GMT

Will give horse to new owner

Originally published in the Star Democrat Dec 11, 2011 Updated Dec 11, 2011

Written

By DUSTIN HOLT Staff Writer

EASTON A McDaniel woman escaped jail time and a fine at Wednesday's trial in Talbot County District Court after being convicted of failing to provide proper care her pony, Bonnie, which has a hooves disease.

Talbot County District Court Judge William H. Adkins III convicted Lynne Bergeron, 59, of 9072 New Road, of the lesser charge of failing to provide proper care while finding her not guilty of the other two charges.

Adkins gave Bergeron probation before judgment and 18 months unsupervised probation for the conviction. She also has to pay $57.50 in court costs.

Bergeron received a criminal summons March 14, charging her with animal cruelty, inflicting unnecessary suffering or pain and failing to provide proper care. Bergeron was made aware in August 2008 her pony could have Cushing's disease, which causes enlarged hooves, making standing uncomfortable for horses. Talbot County Animal Control accused Bergeron of not providing care for Cushing's until 2011; hooves should be trimmed twice a year.

Adkins said testimony by the state's and defense's doctors showed the pony did not receive proper care. He said no testimony or evidence showed Bergeron should be convicted of the more severe charges. He said he gave Bergeron probation before judgment based on her not having a prior criminal record and her willingness to voluntarily relinquish Bonnie to another owner.

After the disposition, Bergeron gave a tearful apology to the court.

"I've been riding horses all my life," she said. "I've given the best care I can. This has been a great tragedy for the whole family."

"I really think she is not guilty," said Bergeron's attorney Sandra Reno. "It's easy to tell someone what the right thing to do was in hindsight. People need to remember Lynne did extraordinary things, caring for all of her horses before this."

Talbot County Assistant State's Attorney Katherine Ault said the state's strongest case was for a count-three conviction, which Bergeron received.

"The judge made his decision and I respect it," she said.

The charges stem from a Feb. 15 visit by Talbot County Animal Control Officer Brittany Brittingham to Bergeron's for a report of uncared-for animals.

Brittingham testified she saw a chestnut pony with abnormally long hair and overgrown hooves, a sign of Cushing's disease. She said the pony appeared to be in pain and was covered in feces with a muddy living space. She said Bonnie had not been treated by a veterinarian since August 2008.

She ordered Bergeron to give the pony a dry area within 48 hours and have Bonnie's hooves trimmed within seven days. On a return visit Feb. 22, Brittingham saw Bonnie's hooves were trimmed, though the pony's living area was still muddy.

Bonnie's veterinarian, Dr. Steven Harris, who testified for the defense, said he saw Bonnie three times. He said in August 2008, he mentioned to Bergeron that Bonnie could have Cushing's disease. He said Bonnie, though, was not in any stress or discomfort during the 2008 visit.

He said he took X-rays of Bonnie's hooves in February because of the Cushing's disease concern. During cross-examination, Harris said Bonnie's X-ray looked horrible.

"[Lynne] was receiving a lot of pressure to relinquish the horse," he said. "She was having financial difficulties. She wanted to do what was best for the horse. She was willing to give up Bonnie if the Humane Society backed off."

Harris said he ended up becoming a negotiator and talks eventually failed. He said she voluntarily relinquish Bonnie to Halo's Haven Rescue in St. Michaels.

Michelle Louis, who owns Halo's Haven Rescue in St. Michaels, made the initial report with animal control after seeing Bonnie during a business meeting with Bergeron.

Louis testified Bonnie's hooves looked like they were "brutally trimmed" after Bergeron was ordered to trim Bonnie's hooves.

"It looked like someone took a saw to her feet," she said.

Dr. Teresa Martinoli, of Veterinary Medical Center, testified she visited Bonnie Feb. 22, and the pony was underweight and its hooves had been neglected of appropriate trimming. She said hooves should be trimmed twice a year and horses can live comfortably with Cushing's disease if properly cared for.

Louis said Bonnie is in great health and great spirits.

Providing Sanctuary

Sat, 17 Sep 2022 20:13:13 GMT

Local horse rescue adds to its roster of saved animals

Originally printed in the Star Democrat

By BETHANY ZIEGLER bziegler@stardem.com

Mar 22, 2015 Updated Dec 30, 2019

ST. MICHAELS — On Feb. 17, two horses stepped off the trailer of Michelle Louis’ property. Both had been rescued from a kill pen in New Jersey and were in terrible shape.

Louis and her helpers immediately went to work on the horses — Heart and Valentine — quarantining the pair because of potential diseases and deciding what they needed next. A veterinarian was on site in about three hours.

“When she was stepping off the trailer and I saw how weak Heart was, I immediately knew it was over my layperson head. I knew I needed a vet, a professional to administer medicines,” Louis said. “I knew she was dehydrated. I knew she must have had some type of upper respiratory infection ... She was so sick she couldn’t even drink water.”

Both horses ended up having contagious infections, hooves and teeth in need of serious repair and were on the verge of starvation. Unfortunately, it turned out Heart had a fractured cannon bone and needed to be euthanized to spare her from pain. Louis said the vet told her she had given the horse “the best two weeks of her life.”

“Before she was put to rest, she felt loved,” Louis said. “And I feel good about that.”

Valentine, however, has been with Louis for a little over a month now, and things are starting to look up. In that time, she’s put on about 150 pounds and has received more than her share of care and attention.

This process is nothing new for Louis, who five or six years ago turned her St. Michaels farm into Halo’s Haven Rescue, a rescue for horses that have been neglected or are being exported for slaughter. According to Louis, because horse slaughter for human consumption is not done in the U.S., a large number of horses are sent to Canada and Mexico for that purpose.

The transport alone for those horses is something Louis thinks is inhumane.

“Horses are fight-or-flight animals, so when you put them in a small area with other horses they don’t know, they kick, they absolutely go crazy,” Louis said. “Then you confine them even more so in a tractor-trailer, they’ll kick each other to death.”

Louis says she also has seen serious neglect of animals from Talbot County and beyond. She one time rescued five horses from New Holland, Pa., at once. She’s also found herself with a number of cats and dogs that wouldn’t have been adopted otherwise.

One of her favorite success stories is a pony named Bonnie she rescued from a home near Bozman a few years ago. Not only was Louis able to nurse Bonnie back to health after about a year of intensive care, she was also able to get the court system to prosecute and convict her former owner for animal cruelty.

“She just had a battle that I had to fight. And that’s the kind of fight I’d like to go on with,” Louis said. “I know there are a lot of people like me. They just maybe don’t have the resources or the property to do this. But there’s a lot of good that can be done.”

There are a number of circumstances and situations that lead to horses ending up needing rescue. Some have abusive owners, some are used until they cannot work anymore and are discarded, and some are taken on by people who cannot afford to care for them. But Louis said there’s one underlying cause for all of these — a lack of responsibility. In some cases, she said it’s also a lack of compassion.

“I think animals are like children. They’re dependent on you. If you take on a dependency, you should see through it,” Louis said. “Life matters, regardless if you have four legs and a tail or two legs. It matters. So take care of it.”

Louis has been active in lobbying for a bill that would require those convicted of animal cruelty to pay for the animal’s care at a rescue center. An iteration of the bill has not been passed, but she spent a lot of time working on it with former Del. Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio. And Louis continues to campaign for it.

For Louis, and her friends who volunteer at Halo’s Haven, helping these horses is more than a hobby — it’s a way of life. Louis, originally from New Jersey, grew up breeding and showing horses. Though she still has a show horse or two, they’re penned right next to her rescue horses — which have become her true passion.

“Although winning and doing really well in the show ring is really satisfying, it’s satisfying knowing that you helped something that was defenseless ,” Louis said. “I prefer to save these animals than get my blue ribbons. I’ve already gotten them. I don’t need them.”

At the rescue, horses are nurtured back to health and socialized as much as possible. While it sometimes requires a more experienced handler, Louis tries to adopt out the horses once they are rehabbed, when possible. This isn’t always the case. Sometimes the horses require too much care or are too skittish to be sent back out to the general population. When that happens, the horses live at the rescue under Louis’ supervision. Currently, there are about 12 horses on the farm.

“I sacrifice and my family sacrifices to do what we do,” Louis said. “But it’s life lessons I’ve taught my children. They have a lot of respect for the rescue. They know what’s right and wrong. They see what people can do. It’s a lifestyle to live in a rescue. You have a good heart.”

Caring for these horses requires not only time and expertise, but money. The rescue has a website on which it accepts donations — though it’s a case-by-case figure, caring for the horses can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000 in the first month alone. Louis said she also could use volunteers but only to work with the horses if they have expertise with the animals or the patience to learn it. Otherwise, she suggests people help with what they know; whether it’s taking pictures of the horses to help them get adopted or cleaning equipment, anything is appreciated.

“I love people that are passionate,” Louis said. “It’s a good thing to know that you can make a difference if your heart is in it.”