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Resort is safe place for horses

By Jon Johnson
Assistant Editor
Published on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 9:57 AM MST

In tough times, the treatment and care of animals, especially equines, may be neglected. There is one place in the Gila Valley, however, that is saving these beloved animals from certain death.

The Family Pet Resort LLC Boarding & Grooming facility on Highway 70 in Thatcher not only boards a variety of family pets, it has become a horse rescue facility for the Gila Valley.

Michelle Haralson owns the facility with her husband, Shawn. She told the Courier she started the rescue portion of the facility in February 2008 after noticing a sickly horse that was brought in for veterinary services. She said she asked the owner of the horse to surrender the animal and her staff rehabilitated it.

Farrier/trainer Kelly Moore stands alongside one of the horses under his care. Moore recently rehabilitated a former racehorse from its injuries, and now it is a loyal trail horse. Photo by Jon Johnson

Now the facility takes in horses and animals from all over, including goats that were nearly starved to death by their previous owner. Some of the horses at the rescue include a blind mare from New Mexico named Miss Kitty, a horse recuperating from a Mohave rattlesnake bite, a former racehorse that has been rehabilitated and performs as a trail horse, a mare from Wyoming that fell off a cliff while working on a dude ranch and a mini from Mexico that was rescued from the slaughter yard, according to barn manager Kelli Donovan.

"They come from everywhere. . ." Donovan said. "She (Haralson) gets them through other agencies; some are relinquished to us from their owners."

One of the agencies that alerts Haralson to available horses is the NorCal Equine Rescue located in Northern California.

Once on the property, the horses are fed and then shoed and trained by house farrier/trainer Kelly Moore. A farrier is a specialist in equine hoof care, including the trimming and balancing of a horse's hoof and the placement of metal shoes.

Most of the rehabilitated horses are "kid broke" and could be adopted to a new home, according to Donovan.

For information on the rehabilitation program call the facility at 428-8793.

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Comments

33 comment(s)

Matt wrote on Jun 30, 2009 8:20 AM:

" Oh, it's a mule..
And Fred I'll consider the source on this one.
To Bless You..a heartfelt gratitude, to see someone took the time to be kind and post a decent comment.
See you at the next community event? "

Bless you wrote on Jun 28, 2009 7:06 PM:

" God Bless those who help the ones who can not help themselves. May the light of the Lord shine on you gracious people with such love in your heart that you would take this on. Even animals deserve love and compassion and dignity, afterall we are all God's creatures. Again, God Bless You. "

Just a little note wrote on Jun 28, 2009 7:04 PM:

" I want to say that everyone at the Pet Resort are very caring people. All of them will take the time to stop and visit or tell you the story of each animal. They even have dogs and cats that have been left there and the goats too. These people have big hearts and they enjoy what they do. I hope that they can continue to do their job and help these animals. And for you that are negative and speak lies and are hateful know that some day we will all be judged. "

Horse wrote on Jun 28, 2009 5:19 PM:

" I like horses. I think that I will go down there and pet them and make them feel at home. "

For the Record wrote on Jun 27, 2009 3:26 PM:

" That poor little donkey is actually a mule that was used for drug smuggling and the State Cattle Inspector Randy Porter delivered it to the Pet Resort and signed it over in that condition. It takes months of slow rehab to get these animals healthy again you can't rush their weight gain or loss it becomes a shock to their system and causes more harm then good. "

Fred wrote on Jun 27, 2009 12:33 PM:

" I bet when the horse was turned around you thought it was a mirror Mat. "

Matt wrote on Jun 24, 2009 12:28 PM:

" Yes,
I drove by today, saw the ribs showing on a poor little donkey; u-turned, drove back and made a donation.
So, after the lastest post of people on both sides of the fence. The government is nearly broke..no money for horses and animals it's our responsibility to care for them. And to you folks that complain? Quit telling people what a great Christian you are and then sit home never contributing anything to the community.
No whining about oder is not a way of helping...
Shade shelters need set-up for the horses, ect. "

Take time to help wrote on Jun 23, 2009 1:20 PM:

" The Pet Resort is always looking for people who would like to volunteer time to go brush horses or simply spend time with them so that they don't forget they are loved. This is not a place that money is made for those of you who think that they are in it for the money. They do this because they truly love the animals. They also have dogs and cats that have been dumped who need homes too. If you stop in you will notice that they are a family there and even the kids help. "

For the record wrote on Jun 21, 2009 1:16 PM:

" There is no government funding for any of these rescues anymore. The Pet Resort relys on family, friends, and the adoption fees of the horses to keep going. You can look up any horse rescue on line and will find that most survive on donations and adoption fees. "

Great Job wrote on Jun 21, 2009 12:46 AM:

" It is a good thing that they are doing for these horses.

Why are several people criticizing the care of these horses?

Do we always have find something negative in every story in the paper?

In this day, it is just nice to read something good for a change! "

Hunters wrote on Jun 20, 2009 12:46 PM:

" One thing we do have to remember, is this; the wind changes directions. Also, they keep some horses as the back of the property. We live up the street and we smell it. No complaint about the care of the animals. But Thatcher Resident lives closer than we do and We smell it. We have desert landscape, so we don't need manure. Also we are both disabled, so volunteering is out the question for us. "

Susie wrote on Jun 20, 2009 10:05 AM:

" OH this is so wonderful! We live in Thatcher, and drive by there several times a day, and the kids always comment on the horses. I think this is a wonderful service to our community! What I would have liked to learn from the article is how they are able to feed and house and medically treat the horses? Are they receiving any financial aid as a rescue service? I would hope that our community would also contribute somehow.. maybe set up a program with High Schools to have a volunteer program.. just my 2 cents! "

To Thatcher Resident wrote on Jun 20, 2009 8:53 AM:

" Get a life, get over it, and shut up already.These people are doing something wonderful maybe your just jealous. I mean really you would have to live right in the corral to smell the manure, wouldn't you? And I have noticed that most of these horses are in a big area along the highway so unless you live in the middle of highway 70 their poo shouldn't be an issue to you. Go to work and get off the computer already nobody wants to hear from negative people like you. "

To A BIG HEART wrote on Jun 19, 2009 12:48 PM:

" Check your facts before you right false information - they get no funding from any agency - including the Federal Government! People like you would rather runoff at the mouth then check out the facts. Just goes to show how stupid some people can be. "

Thatcher Resident wrote on Jun 19, 2009 12:44 PM:

" I don't drive a work vehicle so I don't see as how it could be parked at my house all the time. Oh and I don't need fertilizer but thanks anyways. "

Barb wrote on Jun 19, 2009 11:20 AM:

" You guys need to get a dictionary "

A BIG HEART wrote on Jun 19, 2009 8:50 AM:

" OH MY IT MUST COST A FORTUNE TO FEED THESE POOR HORSES !!!!! OH BUT WAIT THE FEDERAL GOVERMENT IS PAYING HER A BUNCH OF MONEY FOR HER SERVICE.. "

To Thatcher Res wrote on Jun 19, 2009 8:48 AM:

" By the way, service is not responsibility, it's selflessness! "

To Thatcher Res wrote on Jun 19, 2009 8:45 AM:

" How awsome of you to voulenteer MY time to clean up after your complaints! I don't live anywhere near this facility and have horses myself! I work a full time job, manage to take care of my animals, family, and yet still have time to help the neighbors with community service!
You won't hear any of my neighbors complaining! What a selfish attitude you have!
***If you need a helping hand the best place to look is at the end of your own arm! "

Jena Hare wrote on Jun 19, 2009 5:19 AM:

" Great job Michelle! keep up the good work. Maybe if more people took care of their backyards & stayed out of the way of good people tring to make a difference. My mom always said " Dont throw rocks, when you live in a glass house.'

People leave her alone & go get a job! "

Hey Tharcher Resident wrote on Jun 18, 2009 10:40 PM:

" There is only one neigbor close enough to even care about the manure and it doesn't seem like anyone works too hard at that house - even the work vehicle is ALWAYS there! "

A Job Well Done wrote on Jun 18, 2009 10:29 PM:

" There will always be those who complain and not appreciate what good people are doing. I for one think that it is wonderful that they are saving these beautiful animals that might otherwise suffer a horrible fate. Kudos to you guys for your hardwork and for those morons who complain if you don't like it move or better yet go get some fertilizer for your yard I hear horse manure is the best! "

Cntyrgal wrote on Jun 18, 2009 9:03 PM:

" I think that is wonderful that someone has a heart big enough for these helpless animals. These people are willing to take them in not caring what the cost, I believe that is a great thing. I love horses they are my favorite animal wish them the best of luck...God Bless "

Horselover wrote on Jun 18, 2009 8:57 PM:

" Never, Never Never, have I had someone come out to shoe my horses and use a hoof balancing tool, that is until Kelly came to shoe my horse. He uses all types of tools for balancing and corrective shoeing that really makes a difference, If your horse is having problems, give him a try I guarantee your horse will walk off feeling better!!!! "

Think you have a good idea wrote on Jun 18, 2009 8:16 PM:

" I agree with you all. TO Thatcher Resident I think the old saying put up or shut up applies. Usually those who complain and "report" are the one who will not help or do anything to help someone out. I personally think what they are trying to do at this Pet Resoprt is WONDERFUL. Perhaps you should offer your help rather than complain. "

To To thatcher res wrote on Jun 18, 2009 11:46 AM:

" Community service, that's sounds great, get to work? I work a full time job and it's not my responsibility to take care of somebody else's animals. I have my own animals and my own family to take care of. Are you out there helping muck stalls? I doubt it! "

To Thatcher Res wrote on Jun 18, 2009 8:32 AM:

" Have you ever thought about maybe some community service?? There's a TON of work involved in keeping up with horses; especially so many at one time! If your neighborhood is more interested in reporting complaints rather than giving a little of your time to help out such a great cause, then we surely know what kind of people you are! "

J.C.H wrote on Jun 17, 2009 8:41 PM:

" Kelly Moore is a GREAT farrier he has done wonders for my horses, he truly is a real cowboy, he handles my horses well, they all respond in a good manner to him, even my problem horses are no longer problem horses, thanks to Mr. Moore!! And to Thatcher resident I think you will be surprised at the changes Mr. Moore is bringing to the pet resort!!! Keep up the great work Mr. Moore, we fully support what your doing! "

Thatcher Resident wrote on Jun 17, 2009 3:59 PM:

" They say they take care of these animals but do they keep the corals clean? I would say not since I have to smell it everyday. The neighborhood has been after them to keep things clean and have even told them that we will report them if they didn't start taking better care of these animals. I guess we will see if this new trainer can keep up with the animal mess. "

myles johnson wrote on Jun 17, 2009 2:25 PM:

" Great story, great service "

Matt wrote on Jun 17, 2009 1:25 PM:

" Me Too !
Everytime I drive by the facility, I feel grateful someone has taken an active interest in the welfare of local animals.
I wish them all the success in the world.
Now, where did I put my checkbook?
A donation would do more than this comment.
Yeah, think I will.. "

Hunters wrote on Jun 17, 2009 11:59 AM:

" This is so great! We enjoy living down the street from this facility and watching the riders walk the horses in our neighborhood. "

JEL wrote on Jun 17, 2009 11:05 AM:

" What a great service! Thank you for your hard work and effort to save these beautiful animals. "

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