Forty-five farm animals were rescued yesterday from a ranch in El Dorado County through a mutual aid effort led by El Dorado County Animal Control. The animals, which included 23 horses, 15 sheep, 1 goat, 5 llamas and 1 cow, were voluntarily relinquished to Animal Control by the owner. A veterinarian was present to conduct a preliminary assessment of the animals. Many of the animals showed signs of neglect. The case is under investigation however no charges have yet been filed.
“Our first concern is for the animals,” said Henry Brzezinski, Chief Animal Control Officer in El Dorado County. “Our goal is to get the animals properly assessed and treated so that they can become healthy again.” The animals have been transported to The Grace Foundation in El Dorado Hills where the staff will be working cooperatively with Animal Control over the next several weeks and months to provide ongoing veterinary assessments, care, and monitoring of the animals.
According to Brzezinski, all of the animals will need some form of special care. For example, animals that appeared to be underfed or are elderly will need special nutritional supplements. Most of the sheep, who had severely overgrown and matted coats, will need to be carefully sheared to remove the excess wool. Many of the horses with severely overgrown hooves will need their hooves trimmed back over a period of time. Many of the animals need dental care.
“We are already getting inquiries from people who want to help or want to know if the animals will ever be up for adoption,” said Brzezinski. Individuals who would like to help with monetary donations can either send a check to the El Dorado County Pet Aid Fund at
415 Placerville Dr., Suite N, Placerville, CA 95667, or may contact The Grace Foundation by calling (916) 941-0800. The Pet Aid Fund, operated by Animal Control, helps pay for veterinary care, medication, food and grooming for animals that have a need, including animals that have been rescued due to abuse or neglect. Brzezinski is hopeful that many of the animals can be fully rehabilitated and placed for adoption but cautions that the process may take several weeks or more.
The rescue, lead by El Dorado County Animal Control, was conducted as a mutual aid effort involving the assistance of Amador County Animal Control, The Grace Foundation, Sacramento County Animal Care and Regulation, and Placer County Animal Services. “We are very grateful for the assistance of our partnering animal welfare agencies,” said Brzezinski.
Updates regarding the rescue effort and the animals will be posted to the El Dorado County Animal Control website at: www.co.el-dorado.ca.us/animalcontrol. Animal Control may also be reached at (530) 621-5795.
