Posted On November 23, 2019 Personal Injury

Thanksgiving Donation Gives Slaughter-Bound Racehorse a Second Chance

Richard Console, founder, helps Forgotten Angels Equine Rescue reach their GoFundMe goal to save racehorse destined for the slaughterhouse

When his breeder passed away, it looked like time was running out for a former racehorse named Voiage. Sold to a “kill pen” in Pennsylvania, he was due to be shipped off to slaughter – a tragic and yet all too common end to the stories of former racehorses.

His fate caught the attention of the Medford, NJ-based Forgotten Angels Equine Rescue. Since the nonprofit organization’s launch in 2012, it has saved more than 275 horses.

There was just one problem.

As Voiage’s shipping date loomed, Forgotten Angels was out of funding. The rescue couldn’t afford the “bail” to buy the horse back from the kill pen.

The clock was ticking.

Help came just in time

Through the rescue’s network of contacts, a South Jersey ranch owner offered the horse a foster home. All that stood in the way of saving a life was the $700 bail needed to free the horse from the kill pen.

Maria Dedes, whose daughter Trina Dedes volunteers at Forgotten Angels, set up a GoFundMe fundraiser in an attempt to save this innocent creature.

The moment Richard P. Console Jr., founder and managing attorney of Console and Associates, learned of Voiage’s fate, he knew he had to do something. So, he made a life-saving donation.

A donation made in the spirit of gratitude

“In the spirit of Thanksgiving, our firm wanted to do something that would show our gratitude by helping this wonderful organization,” said Console. “What better way than by saving the life of this majestic animal that would otherwise be slaughtered Thanksgiving week?”

Voiage’s story may have had a happy ending, but it’s a stark reminder of what happens to retired racehorses across the country. Others – many others – aren’t so lucky.

Horses like Voiage spend their lives bringing in money for their owners, equine rescue enthusiasts say, yet too often, they aren’t taken care of afterwards. Feeding and caring for a horse is no small expense. When owners tire of the cost and the trouble – or, as in Voiage’s case, pass away – getting sent to a kill pen and sold for slaughter is a prevalent, though horrifying, practice.

To help other horses like Voiage, we encourage our fellow community members to consider donating to Forgotten Angels so that the organization is able to fund more rescues. Donations are tax-deductible and can be made electronically as well as through the organization’s numerous community fundraising events.

Donations for Voiage’s continued care here can be provided through his GoFundMe fundraiser at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-forgotten-angels-save-a-racehorse?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet

Or, donations can be made directly to Forgotten Angels Equine Rescue at: https://shorturl.at/frDNY

Forgotten Angels Equine Rescue, also known as FAER is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with a mission to rescue horses from slaughter auctions and negligent situations. Learn more at http://faernj.com/.

Thanksgiving Donation Gives Slaughter-Bound Racehorse a Second Chance

Recent Articles

Categories

New Jersey

Newark