We would like to thank the ASPCA for a very generous 3-Year grant commitment, and for their continued support and friendship.
Thank you to our Corporate Sponsors for their ongoing generosity and support.
Rescues
Paloma
Paloma was starving and dehydrated when she was rounded up by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Her condition was so bad she was too weak to stand in the Holding Facility corral. Severe drought had plagued the area, and Paloma, pregnant and severly malnourished, was barely holding on.
The BLM requires that every horse brought in stays a minimum of four weeks, during which time they receive a required set of two shots. But Paloma's condition was so perilous, it was doubtful she'd make it through the month. In 120 degree heat and no shelter, we had to get her home. But was she even strong enough to move?
Finally, the day came when she could be brought to Return to Freedom. As she came off the trailer you could feel her relief.
Thanks to the generosity of veterinarians and her sponsor Celine, Paloma is healthy, happy and very social. And on April 17th, 2003 at 9:00 pm she gave birth to a beautiful brown and white pinto filly, Franchesca Rose. We are delighted to report that both mother and filly are doing just fine.
Paloma upon arrival
Paloma now
On April 17th, 2003 at 9:00 pm, Paloma gave birth to a 100-pound, bouncing baby girl, Franchesca Rose. The night she was born, Neda knew something was going on because all of the horses were extremely excited. The moment Neda walked in the barn, little Franchesca nickered loudly to the world. Paloma protectively nickered back, pulling the foal closer to her. Neda claims, "It was the cleanest baby I've ever seen…a beautiful brown and white paint filly...she's just amazing." The next morning, Paloma and her baby were put out to pasture, where Paloma proudly paraded Franchesca around for all to see.
Given Paloma's condition when she arrived at Return to Freedom, everyone has been anxiously awaiting this new birth. Paloma had been rescued from a government holding facility by one of RTF's directors, Celine Myers. Pregnant & extremely malnourished, Paloma came to the Sanctuary with four orphaned foals.
Thanks to the generosity of donors, volunteers, and nutritious supplements (Platinum Performance—donated by Doug Herthel, of Alamo Pintado Medical Center.) the orphans and Paloma recovered beautifully. As always we'd like to thank Dr. Chism at Specifically Equine Veterinary Clinic in Buellton, CA, for providing ongoing attention to Paloma, the orphans, and all of our animals at Return to Freedom.
Paloma and Franchesca Rose
