Habitat for Horses/Lone Star Equine Rescue is organizing a massive relief and rescue effort to help the equines of southern Louisiana after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina forced millions to evacuate. A large number of horses, mules, and donkeys are now in danger of starvation, injury, and death if relief efforts are not immediately taken. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the USDA are now in control of the areas most devastated by the hurricane. As quickly as those federal agencies allow, the group’s emergency relief efforts will start

Volunteers from Texas and Oklahoma will gather at a central staging area and proceed to the designated sites in Louisiana. From that point, trained rescue volunteers will proceed to any location where horses have been spotted and attempt to extricate and transport them to safety, where they will receive medical care from the Louisiana State Veterinarian Office. All efforts will be made to contact the owners. If contact cannot be made, the animals will be transported to another location for recovery.

Habitat for Horses/Lone Star Equine Rescue will operate under the guidance and control of FEMA and the USDA during this operation. This operation is an all-volunteer effort, funded by donations from individuals, companies, and organizations around the United States. Individuals with equine experience may join the organization and aid in the relief efforts.

Financial donations are needed to help fund this massive undertaking. Estimates range from several hundred to several thousand horses that are currently lost, injured, or in danger. Hay and feed will be needed in large quantities, plus medical supplies such as bandages and antiseptics. Trailers, temporary equine fencing, tarps, buckets, new lead ropes, and halters are also needed