Across the nation, the down economy has caused a staggering increase in the number of orphaned horses. At rural animal shelters, pens are filling up, and each horse has a heartbreaking story. The Monterey County SPCA is caring for a brown mare found running loose on New Year’s Eve.  Three starving geldings were recently rescued from a roadside pasture thanks to a call from a passing driver.  This SPCA usually sees 4 or 5 horses a year. Right now, there are 14, with more expected… many are older horses too frail to ride and Executive Director Gary Tiscornia says some owners are tearfully relinquishing them because they can no longer afford to keep them.

In other cases, humane officers are seizing the animals because there’s criminal neglect, or abandonment.

At a shelter, they’re getting care and the prospect of a new home.  Animal protection officers say it’s the animals that aren’t here…that could be at greatest risk.

Captain Judi Adams with the SPCA Humane Investigations unit says she’s aware of many people own more horses than they can reasonably care for.  She mentions a woman who owns 50 horses, and someone else who has 35. She’s concerned about the animals people can’t see from the road.  Horses that are rescued are sometimes evidence in neglect cases brought against their owner. In Monterey County, criminal charges may be filed in several cases involving neglected horses, and if convicted, the owner could face jail time or a hefty fine.

Along with pursing criminal investigations, the SPCA is looking for adoptive homes for these animals, otherwise, they’ll have to be put down.