NorCal Equine Rescue ( http://www.norcalequinerescue.com/index.php) is a very active Mom and Pop shop up in Oroville. Tawnee and Jason and their volunteers have saved over 1000 horses since 2003 from slaughter and neglect. And yes they do have a policy of humane euthanasia for animals that are deemed unlikely to be adopted or who have not been adopted after a length of time. That ends up being a whole lot less than most people would think because of their very active website and adoption programs. What many people do not realize is that NER takes just about any horse in range - as well as working the auctions whenever possible. They now even have a pen where people can drop off their unwanted horses. Very very few other rescues in this country make this commitment. Why do they do this?

Tawnee and Jason look into the slaughter trucks as they stop by to drop off animals they deem can not make the trip - which are sold to NER for $100 a head. The faces they see and the horrific conditions they witness stay in their minds day after day. They have an inordinate amount of courage, compassion and resiliency to take on such a task. Few of us could face such a thing on a weekly basis. But the Preisners do and they do not say no to that ordeal so that they can prevent those they can from making such a horrific trip. There policy supports a zero tolerance of horse slaughter for profit.

I have nothing but respect and admiration for NER. They have set their sights - not on a feel good public image - but on the actual experiences of the animals that we humans are responsible for.

They also save baby goats and calves when they can from auctions and adopt them out or humanely euthanize them. All while raising a family of 4 small children (3 of them adopted siblings). The Preisners are responsible for a considerable reduction in the net misery of horses out in the Valley. They cannot do this without a euthanasia policy that allows them to continue to not turn away any animal in need. They always have a vet examination and evaluation in each case. And the horses have a full stomach, kind handling and NO FEAR.

I have reported in an email about the huge numbers of weanlings and young untrained horses going for slaughter. Tia and Tante bring a face to those many thousands. That is where they were headed when I picked them up from the Petaluma auction. They will never know those terrors or injuries. But unless we can find a trainer for them - or sponsors to help them get trained - they will have to be let go humanely and peacefully.