Your opinions please-Rescue Center

[MHOL]

I am sure it is legal, but, what about the welfare?

This office was contacted with a query, which although not the sort of case we look into, was very puzzling.

A lady with financial problems signed over ownership of her two passported horses to a rescue centre (not an issue) but with the promise of updates of their progress.

The rescue center in its literature and on its website, did clearly state that it did foster out horses and ponies but they remained the property of the rescue centre, and they did not sell horses.

A few months later the original owner recognised “her horse” on a forum and listed as stolen but under a different name, she contacted the new owner and they soon realised it was the same horse but now with two passports, one microchip. Both “owners” are devastated and to this date the horse has not been recovered.

The rescue center are also passport signatories for a passport agency and can issue passports if the horse is micro-chipped.

The rescue center did after considerable time and correspondence admit the horse was sold as an asset, and I am sure the money was put to good use for further rescue work, But:

If you sell a horse all say and rights have gone so what Welfare input can be assured for the “sold” horse?

How many people handing horses over to rescue centres or giving donations feel this is acceptable and in how many cases is this happening?

Opinions please?

 

[NeilM]

Given the number of horses that rescue centres have been approached with recently, many of which are not saleable, I don't personally see a problem with them selling good healthy horses to raise funds. However, I would have thought it was only common courtesy to tell the original owner what they were going to do, prior to them putting the horse up for sale.

The alternative is to do what they did and now suffer the consequences they have, which is not good for either their reputation or their fund raising efforts.

 

[lindsayH]

In my personal opinion, I think the rescue centre were a bit out of line. If the original owner wanted the horse sold on, she could have sold it herself and she accepted the word of the rescue centre in good faith. If the rescue centre is a registered charity, I would have issues with them not doing what they say they are going to do. Whilst I accept that circumstances change and that they were probably raising much needed funds, in the very least they should have contacted the original owner prior to selling to explain.

 

[finkle]

If that was my horse I would be furious. The owner obviously felt that the horses would be safe under the 'wing' of the rescue. If they stated that they did not sell the horses on ,then they have gone against everything that they stated on the website and literature. I would be devastated that they had been sold on. They are now privately owned and their future cannot be controlled or monitored.

This is no way of raising funds for the rescue and I cannot see how it can be justified as such.

 

[blackmagic]

I think it was unreasonable of the rescue centre to sell the horse on if they claim they do not sell horses on. Surely, if this is the case, they would have obtained goods (the horse) by deception.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I would think that there are legal issues here. This 'rescue centre' has obtained an asset by deception. The original owner was led to believe that the horse would NOT be sold on. It would be interesting to read the charter which is registered with the charity commission, if they have one. If they are a 'not for profit' organisation, this course of action also seems a bit strange and possibly illegal. I do wonder if we have heard of this 'rescue centre' before.

 

[Changes]

Surely the whole point about signing your horse over to a 'rescue' is to ensure the future of the horse always in safe hands.
By selling a horse, the 'rescue' has no longer any control over it's future, and it could ostensibly end up going from home to home, through the sale ring, or being shipped abroad for meat.
I'm frankly appalled at the underhand practice adopted by the rescue.
Is this a rescue centre that is known on this forum?

 

[Rollin]

I agree. WHW do not sell horses they go out on loan and loanees make a donation to the charity.

Also OP states that a second passport was issued.

IMO they are sailing close to the wind with both Charity Commission and Trading Standards.

 

[mymare]

The whole reason you sign a horse over to a sanctuary/rescue centre is because you want it to live out the rest of it's life there - not be sold on!

 

[V1NN]

totally agree with mymare

 

[Natch]

Cirkey. I would be interested to know which charity this is. Pm me if prefered.

Rescue organisations can put horses on loan for a significant adoption fee - surely that would be enough?

 

[FinnishLapphund]

I would be both furious and distraught.


Okay fine, if a rescue states that they do sell on those horses and ponies that can be sold and I sign over my horse/pony to them with that knowledge, then it is okay, maybe I think they will have a better chance than myself on weeding out possible unsuitable new owners.
But if a rescue promises updates of the horse/pony's progress and clearly states that though it does foster out horses and ponies, they remain the property of the rescue centre and that they <u>do not sell</u> horses/ponies that have been signed over to them and then do the exact contrary, I simply think that is straight out disingenuous.



Since this so called rescue have admitted to selling the horse, I can only presume that they have the text they have on their website, because they know it will make more owners sign over their horses/ponies to them...

 

[devilwoman]

hmm something very close to my heart having my own bad experience not so long back, personally I think its wrong and the owner has every right to be absolutely livid.

 

[missieh]

This 'charity' should be reported to the Charities Commission - the body that regulate chariites. If they are doing this then they are misleading people and who knows what else they are doing. Besides, as signatories of passports, they are in a very powerful position which is obviously being abused (two passports? To avoid the need to contact the original owner?).

 

[JanetGeorge]

[ QUOTE ]

But if a rescue promises updates of the horse/pony's progress and clearly states that though it does foster out horses and ponies, they remain the property of the rescue centre and that they <u>do not sell</u> horses/ponies that have been signed over to them and then do the exact contrary, I simply think that is straight out disingenuous.



[/ QUOTE ]

It's more than disingenuous!! IF this rescue is a registered charity then a very strong complaint should be made to the Charity Commissioners, and an investigation of the 'charity' should be DEMANDED!

But for ANY rescue - charity or not - to claim that horses are only fostered and always remain the property of the Rescue - and then to sell them for gain - is fraud, pure and simple.

 

[Angelbones]

I think it was definitely the wrong thing to do, whether done for the right reasons for otherwise. But as the original owner of the horse I would be totally gutted. Let's hope the horse is found safe and well and can be reunited with one owner or other soon. What a shame.

 

[MHOL]

This rescue center is a registered charity and we have contacted the charities commission, they have asked us to take it up with the charity. We wanted a general consensus from horse owners

 

[piebaldsparkle]

I think it's appalling and am equally disgusted by the charities commissions response.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

[ QUOTE ]
I think it's appalling and am equally disgusted by the charities commissions response.

[/ QUOTE ]

So am I!

There's not much point having a regulatory body if it refuses to regulate.

 

[FinnishLapphund]

[ QUOTE ]
This rescue center is a registered charity and we have contacted the charities commission, they have asked us to take it up with the charity.

[/ QUOTE ]

What is the odds for that contacting this "rescue" about this subject, will change anything in the way this "charity" works?

 

[AmyMay]

[ QUOTE ]
This rescue center is a registered charity and we have contacted the charities commission, they have asked us to take it up with the charity. We wanted a general consensus from horse owners

[/ QUOTE ]

This is clearly something that the Charities Comission needs to investigate further - not pass the buck.

 

[Tinypony]

Does your friend have a copy of a signed agreement with the rescue? If it is clearly stated on the agreement, or on the Charity's publicity, website etc, that they give the horse a "home for life" or that they don't sell them, then I think she could consider legal action.
Does she have any insurance with the BHS, or even house insurance, that might help her?
Bottom line is, would she take the horse back? If she wouldn't then I'm not sure it's worth pursuing? You need to know what you want to get at the end of a situation like this.

 

[Sunny08]

I know exactly who this charity is and they have done this before. However their website also says that when a horse is signed over it becomes full property of the charity. They are very deceptive and misleading but I don't think breaking the law, as they 'own' the horse. It must be heartbreaking for owners.
The charities commission have been informed but to little avail. Unfortunately owners just need to be very careful if ever considering this route.
It is not ethical or right, but not sure there is a lot that can be done.

 

[foraday]

This rescue charity is giving the rest of the 'proper' ones a bad name and reputation.

'rescue centres' are supposed to be that-they take horses/ponies in at a time of great need for the owner for what ever the reason.

The horses are not assets to be sold especially when they clearly state 'horses will not be sold'

Charities commission are hopeless! You need you local trading standards office to deal with this.