Sunrise Horse Rescue
The Sunrise Horse Rescue teams and supporters saw the first spire of smoke from the Valley Fire in Lake County as they were enjoying their annual Harvest of Hope dinner, where the organization raises much of the funds it needs to rescue, treat and shelter abused horses in Napa County. Mid-meal, Calistoga Mayor Chris Canning stood and gave the grim update: Cobb and Middleton residents had been ordered to evacuate immediately. Some would have time to round up their house pet and maybe trailer a horse (or, in one case, a zebra) but, for the most part, all residents could do was let livestock out of their paddocks and leave animals to fend for themselves—which, as it turned out, was much safer than leaving them confined. Many animals found safe ground in gullies or on patios, where the fire didn’t reach.
“We had people up in the fire area on Sunday [Sept. 13],” says Jeff Hoelsken, Sunrise’s executive director and sole paid staff member. Volunteer teams mobilized immediately to get into the fire zone to rescue horses, goats, dogs, cats, chickens and whatever else had been left behind, knowing those animals would be lost, frightened and likely injured. “We had a team of eight,” says Hoelsken, “with everybody working in pairs of two—vet techs, veterinarians, expert horse handlers and people in law enforcement—to pull animals out of harm’s way.
“We were communicating with evacuated residents, so we knew where to look and could go find their animals and bring them either to the veterinary hospital or directly to our sanctuary.” They weren’t working alone. Petaluma Animal Services were there, and the Middletown Veterinary Hospital, fortunately, didn’t burn down and was open to receive injured animals.
After the fire, most evacuated animals were returned to their owners, but the change in life circumstances for some Lake County residents means some horses will become new lifetime residents of Sunrise’s St. Helena facility. “We think there’s a possibility more horses will have to be brought,” says Hoelsken, sadly. “I think as people get readjusted, they won’t have as many options.”
To make a donation or learn about volunteer opportunities, go to www.sunrisehorserescue.org.
