KTRE.com | Lufkin and Nacogdoches, Texas Organization provides grant to Alto horse rescuers

The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) today announced that it has awarded a grant of $4,000 to the East Texas Horse Rescue and Sanctuary (ETHRS) in Alto, Texas, which will be used to buy hay for the organization's rescued horses. As hay prices continue to soar following Texas' record-setting drought, ETHRS has struggled to raise funds to feed its equine rescues through the winter season—a challenge made even more difficult by the high transportation charges for hay bales that must be trucked in from several states away.

"It is a very tough time to be an equine rescue organization right now," said Jacque Schultz, senior director of the ASPCA Equine Fund. "The ASPCA is happy to be able to help groups throughout the country like East Texas Horse Rescue and Sanctuary so they're able to feed their horses during these trying times. We encourage horse-lovers to lend a hand to their local rescue groups this winter by volunteering or making donations to help equines in need."

"With this additional funding from the ASPCA, ETHRS is able to continue to care for about 50 equines and eventually place them into permanent homes," added Patricia Bauer, founder of the East Texas Horse Rescue and Sanctuary. "These extra funds couldn't have come at a more critical time, and we're very grateful."

The ASPCA Equine Fund provides grants to non-profit equine welfare organizations in the United States for purposes in alignment with its efforts to protect horses. The ASPCA Equine Fund grants program seeks to award equine organizations that strive to achieve best practices, including sound horse care, maintenance of updated websites and robust fundraising practices.

The ETHRS is a non-profit equine rescue that takes in neglected horses that have been seized by local law enforcement or abandoned by their owners and adopts them out to loving homes. For more information on rescues or ways to help, please visit www.easttexashorserecueandsanctuary.org.