(Publisher’s note: Our apologies to the owners of Bearclaw Coffee Company. We have corrected the name and added the website where people can order the special rescue blend coffee.)
By Lisa Carolin
Saving horses from slaughter is the priority of Starry Skies Equine Rescue and Sanctuary, which currently has 56 horses in its care. Many of those horses would not be alive if it wasn’t for Starry Skies, which is located on West Liberty Road in Scio Township.
The rescue and sanctuary provides rehabilitation, training, placement, as well as end of life care and services for horses. It is run by volunteers and relies on donations to offer food, care and veterinary services, like those from Whole Horse Vets and Denise Bickel.
The horses in the rescue come from owner surrenders, law enforcement seizures and auctions.
“Our horses range in age from a few months to 44-years-old,” said Tammy Ruoff, a volunteer at Starry Skies. “We take in any horses we can no matter age, condition or issues. We then try to rehab them and place them in forever homes. If this is not possible due to the conditions, they will stay in our sanctuary program here with us.”
To adopt a horse, applicants must fill out an application and have references from a veterinarian and farrier. The adopter must do follow ups every six months including updating veterinary records and pictures for two years.
Horses can also be sponsored, and Starry Skies is offering a Valentine’s Day sponsorship.
“You can come out and groom the horse you sponsor and spend time with it, or Starry Skies can send you an 8X10 glossy of the horse you have chosen,” said Lisa Ontko, a volunteer at Starry Skies.
Ontko is also involved with a fundraiser for Starry Skies with Bearclaw Coffee Company.
“They designed a coffee bag for us and put it in their online store for orders,” said Ontko. “Coffee costs $10 to buy, and Starry Skies gets $3 of that.”
The coffee can be ordered online here.
Starry Skies is most in need of monetary donations, hay, pine shavings, and volunteers.
For more information, click here.
