Staff Report
Riverview based RVR Horse Rescue has again collaborated with the South Florida SPCA in an effort to bring neglected horses back to health. The two rescue organizations reunited a grieving mare with her 3-year-old offspring.
The mare, named River Rose, was rescued by the SFSPCA, along with her son, Fury, after their owner was charged with neglect. Rose was transported to RVR Horse Rescue for rehabilitation, while Fury was matched with an adoptive family in Ocala.
Once separated from Fury, however, Rose started showing signs of distress. According to RVR founder Shawn Jayroe, Rose “had a lot of anxiety. She was rocking and cribbing like I’ve never seen before. She had tears streaming down her face.”
Knowing this kind of stress would impede Rose’s recovery from emaciation, Jayroe knew she needed to intervene before the horse gave up the will to live.
“We decided to call the SPCA and find out if Fury was still there and if we could have him. The SPCA called the people who were planning to adopt him to see if RVR could have him to reunite with Rose. The person who was going to take Fury was happy to oblige. We started putting the word out there last night and donations came in – enough to transport him here to reunite him with his mama. We hope that Rose will try harder and fight harder with Fury by her side.”
Four volunteers from RVR made the trip to Miami in October, and Fury was reunited with his mother Rose that evening. Fury is settling in nicely at RVR, while Rose is much calmer and is eating more.
RVR was founded in 2004 by Shawn Jayroe and Sandy Johnson. It received 501(c)(3) status in 2011. RVR specializes in taking in the worst cases of abuse and neglect. Over 140 horses have come through RVR’s gates suffering from starvation and physical wounds of abuse. At RVR they are rehabilitated and re-homed with loving families. Horses whose age and health status make them less adoptable remain at RVR in the loving care of more than 100 volunteers. Horses that arrive at RVR too late to be saved or who are terminally ill are comforted by the volunteers during their remaining time.
For more information, visit www.rvrhorserescue.org.
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