Ginger Finds a New Home

This is Ginger. She is a 17 year old Chestnut mare who is enjoying a second lease on life thanks to the work of Pam Brighton, also shown in the photo, president of Oasis Animal Sanctuary in Atlantic County, New Jersey. The details are sketchy regarding Ginger's former life, so we'll just say that she was willingly surrendered to the good folks at Oasis. We'll also just say that when this happened she was a literal shadow of her current self.

Oasis, a sanctuary for "throw-aways" is one of the hundreds of animal rescues that pick up what others discard. Currently there are ten horses, a lot of cats and dogs and one pot bellied pig in residence.

While many blame the economy for the increase in animal abandonment, more often than not it is the reality of caring for (i. e. paying for) their animals that causes owners to walk away from their obligations. In Ginger's case, a 50 pound bag of feed costs about $15 and Ginger can eat 14 pounds a day. Add in the never ending vet bills, and the cost of owning a horse is minimally several thousand dollars a year.

Not everyone realizes this when their daughter goes through the "I want a pony" stage but it doesn't take long for the bills to pile up.

Thanks heavens for people like the volunteers at Oasis who pick up the pieces, but their coffers are not exactly overflowing. If you feel like sponsoring Ginger or any of the animals at Oasis, you can visit their website and volunteer your services.

"Anyone who does rescue will tell you that rescued animals know they've been rescued," says Brighton. "And they give you so much as a thank you."