Cindy Sijan of CEHS loving week-old Dakota

Horse Rescue

Without the tireless efforts of Adrienne Galler Lastra, Cyndi Sijan and Julie Saunders, the volunteer directors of the only non-profit horse rescue and sanctuary on the island of Puerto Rico, Amigos de los Animales (ADLA) would not have a Horse Rescue Division to boast about. Adri's contribution to the horses on the island is significant as witnessed by the fact that she has single-handedly set a precedence for the humane treatment of horses by winning the first ever horse abuse case in Puerto Rican history. And Julie and Cyndi provide the sanctuary and safe-haven where the majority of our rescued horses are rehabilitated and rehomed.

What does ADLA do for horses?

We do everything we can. We investigate abuse complaints and answer distress calls. If it is necessary for us to pursue an abuse or neglect case in court to prosecute the offender and to have the horse surrendered to our care, we do so. If a horse is beyond rehabilitation, and is clearly suffering, we will call a vet and have the horse humanely euthanized. And with every action we take, whether the ending is happy or sad, we try to educate.

Where do ADLA's rescued horses go?

ADLA’s sanctuary directors Julie and Cyndi, have a sixty-two acre parcel of land in their district, which they use for the rescue and as a safe haven for abandoned, hurt and needy horses from around the island. Without the help and dedication of these two women, and the attention given to each horse on the sanctuary, ADLA would be limited in the ways in which we are able to help the horses. Once a horse is rescued/surrendered to ADLA, the horse is transported to the sanctuary for rehabilitation. Julie and Cyndi have the 1st right of adoption on any rescued horse that comes to the sanctuary for use in their trail ride business, and all other horses are either put up for adoption, or become permanent members of the ADLA sanctuary. These women are horse whisperers with a gentle touch and a way of bringing frightened and abused animals around to becoming friendly and adoptable pets. There are currently three horses up for adoption through ADLA. Please see our Petfinder site to see which ones are currently up for adoption.

What Does Caribbean Equine Horse Sanctuary do?

Once a horse is rescued by ADLA, the directors at the sanctuary take in the rescued animal and do an immediate evaluation of its condition. They call in a vet and each horse gets the immediate medical attention it needs. ADLA is a nonprofit rescue group that currently rents a large piece of land to house the horses, but our hope is to receive help in obtaining a land grant in the future to ensure the rescued horses have a safe place to call home for the rest of their natural lives if we are unable to find suitable adoptive homes. The ADLA horse rescue sanctuary is constantly in need of donations--monetary, supplies and equipment--and also desperately needs volunteers. Set up your vacation to help the rescued horses (there is an apartment for rent on the property), or send much needed supplies and/or money.

For answers to your inquiries, please email or snail mail ADLA (Horse Rescue Division) at amigosdelosanimalespr@gmail.com.

To donate, send a check payable to Amigos de los Animales c/o Adrienne Galler Lastra to the address below or click on the “Donate” button on this page and be sure to specify that it is for the horses. Your donations go directly to the animals and are always appreciated

Can I adopt a rescued horse from ADLA?

Yes, you sure can. But keep in mind that to adopt a horse from the ADLA sanctuary, you will need at least 1 acre of flat land per horse. And you can only adopt a horse if you live on the land where the horse will be housed. Your property will be inspected by a representative of ADLA to ensure the best possible placement should you want to adopt one of our rescued horses, and you will be subject to impromptu follow-up visits to our satisfaction. We require a $400 adoption fee for a rescued horse that cannot be ridden, and an $800 adoption fee for a rescued horse that can be ridden.

WISH LIST

• **Alfalfa bales
• **Alfalfa cubes
• **Hay bales, round or square, horse quality Beet Pulp
• Bagged horse feed-pellets
• Vitamin and iron supplements
• **Cash Donations
• Bute medication, injection and pill form Antibiotics
• Anti-Inflamitory
• Horse wormer
• Fly and tick spray
• Ferrier services
• Feed and water bins
• Additional horse stalls
• Barn
• Pasture and stall cleaning service
• Fencing repairs
• Bobcat
• Tractor
• **Removal of overgrowth of scrub trees and bushes (need bush hog or bulldozer)
• Horse pasture grass seeds

**These are items and/or services that we urgently need now.

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