EIGHT gentle ponies and a donkey were destined to be KILLED, but…

While the world is war in Ukraine shows us the worst kind of animal abuse, there is room for love and tenderness in Cornwall that is so very worthy of support.

If you love horses and ponies, you will be both saddened and happy by what we are about to tell you.

Saddened because 6 miniature Shetland ponies, a moorland pony and a donkey, who were rescued from abusive situations, faced death all over again when the woman who saved them became too frail to care for them.

This meant that all 8 adorable creatures were going to be killed!

Thank goodness we helped avert this tragedy. We support the remarkable HUGS Foundation, based near Bodmin Moor in England. HUGS is a haven for abused horses and ponies (and now a donkey too). Even though HUGS is full, the haven could not see 8 innocent creatures slaughtered, and have taken them in. Now the Foundation has turned to us, asking our supporters to help support them. They need microchips, vaccines, dental work and a farrier.

Because of abuse they suffered in the past, some of the rescued ponies also need X-rays, medical treatment and remedial work.

One poor pony is of critical concern…

Our hearts go out to Igor, a tiny white pony who is just the size of a large dog. We fear he suffers from dwarfism, and he has a very strange way of walking, which might indicate other problems. Igor is good-natured and loving, but we worry he may be ‘smiling’ through the pain. Igor needs a full investigation and some specialist care.

Some of the other ponies need special care forever.
Please help us to give them the peaceful life they deserve after all the hardship they’ve endured.

HUGS always tries to find homes for rescued creatures. But although the donkey and all the ponies are relatively young, because of their history of mistreatment and their present condition, some will sadly never find loving homes. This means that even after they are restored to health, they will remain at the sanctuary for the rest of their lives. HUGS will do its best, but we need your help to make sure that these sweet animals will be able to stay there and have happy lives. After all the pain and suffering they’ve experienced, HUGS must seem like heaven to them - and your help will make it so.

We don’t know exactly what happened to the 8 rescued newcomers in their past lives of abuse, but we know from their behavior and condition that it must have been very bad.

Oscar the donkey was extremely traumatized and his rescue is a true salvation because he has found true love with Dude, an orphaned foal. They are inseparable and share a stall, nuzzling head-to-head.

We are so happy for Oscar and Dude and will do everything we can to make sure that Oscar overcomes the trauma of his past. Dude is a gentle soul. He is part of HUGS’ therapeutic healing program, visiting care homes and working with troubled young people to help promote emotional well-being. Perhaps one day, Oscar will work alongside Dude to give comfort to children and elderly people. Please help us keep them together.

Then there’s the story of Herbie and Gus. Their mothers were wild ponies who lived on Bodmin Moor, a desolate moorland area infamous for howling winds and harsh winters. Herbie and Gus are orphans. They were already in a kill pen waiting for slaughter when HUGS rescued them. They must be cared for until they are old enough to be rehomed or, if they do not find a forever home, to join the HUGS team helping local children and bringing joy to senior citizens in care homes.

We hope we have managed to convey how sweet-natured and gentle these rescued creatures are, and how badly they need our love and support. We know they are grateful: it’s as if they know that they have been given the greatest gift of all - the gift of life - and they respond by loving their saviors.

Sadly, that is not the whole story; some of the rescued creatures are still so terrified that they cower at the rear of their stalls or skitter away when humans come near. But with our help and your donations, we will help make them feel safe, happy and healthy. Please donate generously if you possibly can. The poor creatures need a lot of help. Let’s give it to them.

For the animals,

Brian and Gloria Davies (and Max and Flora!)
Founders
Network for Animals

P.S. With our help, HUGS cares for some 70 ponies and horses and now Oscar, the rescued donkey and his friend Dude, poor suffering Igor who may have dwarfism, and Herbie and Gus - and the others. These animals need us, and we need you because, without your kind and generous support, our work would be impossible. If you possibly can, please donate today.