Are you ready to become a
foster home ?
S.C.A.R.E.'s
vision is to ensure that all equines in the state of South Carolina live in
a safe, healthy and
nurturing environment. This process also allows us the opportunity to
provide those people who are committed
to our mission with a wonderful companion to love and cherish. If you are
truly committed to providing a rescued
equine(s) a safe, loving home, then I have every confidence that you will be
a long-term ally in our fight to stop
equine abuse and neglect. However, for those people who are only in search
of “free” or “cheap” horse, you
should probably go no further. It is important to understand, that horses
(and other equine) that have survived
the abuse and neglect that brought them into our program, may never be free
of the physical or psychological
trauma they were forced to endure. Thankfully, that is not usually the case,
but as in most aspects of life, there
are no guarantees. The one thing that I can absolutely assure you is that we
will be painfully honest with all of
our potential fosters of any issues that our rescues have because we don’t
want to put one of our horses into a
situation doomed to fail from the start, because the human/equine match
didn't “fit”. The process of attempting
to match people and equine is just as important and insuring that your
facility is safe and free of hazards. When
all of these components come together, we are well on the way to a “safe,
healthy, and nurturing environment.
The first step….
An approved
S.C.A.R.E. Representative will come to your facility, and perform a “site
check” (inspection) to
determine what type/manner of equine your facility will safely accommodate.
There are several components that
must be addressed to fulfill our mission to "provide responsible foster
homes and quality rehabilitative care for
equines in need".
Adequate Shelter
(fencing and enclosure)
Any space
provided to the equine must be usable and safe whether it is fencing or an
enclosed area. Space
must be free from standing water, sharp objects, debris and waste.
FENCING:
All fencing shall be well maintained, and in good repair at all times. It
must be highly visible, and a
minimum of four (4) feet in height. (Stallions, minis, vision impaired
equine, etc., would have special needs, and
will be addressed on a case by case basis.) All gates must properly hung,
and close and latch securely. Space
provisions must be accessible, appropriate and sufficient for the age,
breed/type, quantity, conditions and size of
the equine(s) and/or according to the veterinarian guidelines.
ENCLOSED AREAS:
All enclosed areas (sheds, run-ins, barns, and corrals, etc) shall be well
maintained and in
good repair at all times. Individual stall size must be a minimum of 10' by
10' or average 100 square feet
minimum per equine. It must be constructed or modified to allow free flow of
air to control temperature,
humidity and prevent air stagnation.
Adequate Food and
Water
Nutritious food
in “sufficient quality and quantity, appropriate to the age and species” is
a basic requirement,
and is often expensive. The diet will be prepared with consideration for
age, breed/type, condition, size, and work
level according to veterinarian guidelines, which will be supplied at the
time of placement. If more than one
animal is fed at one time in one place the caregiver must ensure that each
animal has the opportunity to eat
without competing for his share of food. (As a rule, supplying nutritious
feed and hay, as outlined and specified
at time of placement, is the responsibility of the foster home unless
specifically agreed to, and noted in writing on
the Placement Agreement.).
FEED:
All storage and feeding receptacles shall be kept clean and free from
contaminants, such as mold, feces,
mildew, rats, mice and insects etc. Feed storage areas must be secured away
from access by the horses.
HAY AND FORAGE:
Adequate pasture and/or hay is one of the most important components of an
equine’s
diet, and is absolutely necessary to maintain adequate body condition and a
healthy digestive system. Hay
should be of good quality, and proper storage must be available, free from
contaminants, such as mold, feces,
mildew and insects etc. Guidelines will be provided for each equine.
WATER:
Clean, potable water must be available at all times for all equines. All
water receptacles shall be kept
clean and free of contaminants, and be positioned or affixed to minimize
spillage. The average horse requires
approximately 20 gallons per day.
Adequate
Veterinary Care
Providing
adequate maintenance and emergency veterinary care is the responsibility of
the foster home unless
prior arrangements have been made and agreed to by the Board of Directors.
EMERGENCY
VETERINARY CARE:
The following is a partial list of some conditions that warrant
IMMEDIATE veterinary care: Signs of shock (profuse sweating, cold and clammy
skin, pale gum color, blank
stare, cold extremities, rapid pulse) colic, founder, tremors, swelling,
broken bones, open wounds, inability to
eat or drink, blistering, irregular or abnormal breathing, partial or total
paralysis, abnormal discharge or
bleeding, complications of pregnancy, signs of disease, severe parasitic
infestation, loss of appetite, abnormal
skin condition or hair loss, temperature fluctuation or elevation,
persistent diarrhea, inability to bear weight on a
limb or lameness, and others. When in doubt, consult a veterinarian or a
S.C.A.R.E. Representative for advice.
MAINTENANCE
VETERINARY CARE:
Regular/routine deworming program to control parasites, as
directed by a veterinarian; a minimum of an annual dental evaluation,
followed by any recommended treatment
to ensure proper chewing, and adequate food digestion, to be performed by a
veterinarian or a certified equine
dentist (in the presence of a veterinarian if sedation is required); annual
testing for Equine Infectious Anemia
(Coggins Test); yearly Rabies vaccination; twice yearly EWT, Flu, Rhino,
West Nile, and other vaccinations
recommended by a veterinarian which may include strangles and EPM, among
others; and, routine hoof care as
directed by a veterinarian or farrier, generally every 6 to 8 weeks.
S.C.A.R.E. foster homes are, without question, the most vital element to the
organization’s success. We expect our
foster homes to set the standard for “accepted equine care” in our state,
and therefore, hold them to a very high
standard. Each of our rescues has suffered, some to a greater degree than
others, and each of them deserve to
enjoy a life that affords them good health, a safe environment, and proper
handling administered by loving,
respectful caregivers. We thank you for your dedication and commitment to
S.C.A.R.E.’s mission. |
