Dear HHF Members and Friends,

The Horse Harbor Foundation experienced one of the proudest moments in its history  this month when the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) awarded us its "Accredited Equine Sanctuary" status, making HHF only the fifth nonprofit horse rescue organization in the country to be so recognized, and the first on the West Coast.  The world famous Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch and the much larger Habitat for Horses, both in Texas, and two other larger equine sanctuaries in Arizona and Pennsylvania have also earned this distinction since the equine program was launched last year.

GFAS, headquartered in Washington, D.C., accredits and verifies sanctuaries for animals both wild and domestic all over the world, having taken over this responsibility from The Association Of Sanctuaries (TAOS) in 2007.  The GFAS Board of Directors includes representatives from such major animal rights organizations as the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Humane Society of the United States, Born Free USA, the World Society for the Protection of Animals and the International Foundation for Animal Welfare.

The GFAS program specifically for equine sanctuary accreditation is relatively new, and was developed in cooperation with the HSUS Homes for Horses Coalition and leading equine veterinarians and equine welfare experts.  To become accredited by GFAS, a sanctuary undergoes an exhaustive review of all aspects of its operation  and must demonstrate it meets or exceeds the GFAS  Standards of Excellence in the following areas:   1)  Governing Authority,    2) Finance,   3)  Guidelines for such activities as acquisition of animals,  4)  Education and Outreach,   5)  Security and Safety,  6)  Veterinary Medicine Program,   6)  General Program of Animal Care, and  7)  Animal Care by Specific Species. 

The accreditation process also includes a lengthy site inspection by an equine welfare expert, and in Horse Harbor's case we were honored to have Jerry Finch, founder and president of Habitat for Horses, the country's largest equine sanctuary, visit Harmony Farm in January.   Jerry's HFH in Texas was the first equine sanctuary in the country to be accredited by GFAS last October.   Both Jerry and Patty Finch (no relation), GFAS executive director, have become important colleagues of Allen's as he and other equine advocates pursue horse protection efforts nationwide such as in-place-rescue, a program to help current horse owners continue to provide proper care and keep of their animals in the current economic downturn.  Horse Harbor will proudly display the GFAS seal on its sign in front of the barn in the near future and it will be incorporated into our website.

Now comes what I have been waiting for, the opportunity to thank some of the people who have made this possible.  Foremost  are Mike and Kay Daling, long time members and directors who made the new Harmony Farm, our permanent home, possible in 2005. Without their dedication and belief in our rescue efforts, this would not have happened.

I also want to thank our past presidents, Dr. Ken Feigner DVM, Allen's co-founder who now practices in Florida; and Jean Ramey and Linda Gunby, deceased, who all led our Foundation during those difficult earlier days when we were just getting started.  Also the many believers in our cause who have served on our Board of Directors over the years.   Our current Board has been together for over five years now and along with Mike and Kay, Martha Wightman, Karen Folger and Sandy Dayley have helped guide us through both good times and bad.  

Then there is our group of honorary members, each of whom has played an important role in the Foundation's development and continued efforts.

We could not do our work without the professional support of Dr. Cary Hills and Dr. Jan Richards, both dedicated equine vets, and Brant Crittenden, our skilled farrier, who all play such an important role in the health and welfare of our herd.  Then there are Tim Parrish, now with Sutton Creek Farms and formerly the Lazy J, who has been delivering quality hay to us for many years now and Nancy Hastain at Cenex Feeds, both of whom are very important members of our Foundation family.

And we would not be able to rescue as many horses as we do if it weren't for those wonderful people who provide some of our herd with caring foster homes, Pat and Aleta Lea,  and Minori and Yoshi Takeshita.

Also I want to express my gratitude to the two foundations that have provided us with so much important support in making Harmony Farm a safe haven for rescued horses, the Teddy Cole Foundation for Horses in California and the Seattle Foundation, both of which continue to provide essential ongoing financial aid to our organization.  And then there are those many individuals who have made both small and large donations over the years, knowing that every penny is used for the care and keep of our horses.

And last, but far far from least, I want to thank several generations of our young student/members who have come to the farm daily, year in and year out, rain or shine, to do the real work of caring for horses.  Without them, Horse Harbor would not exist and the 63 horses we have rescued to date would not have had the opportunity to live out their lives in comfort, safety, dignity and perhaps most important love.   God bless you everyone.

Sincerely,

EMILY MEYER

President of the Board of Directors