16 minis 'in need' arrive from Michigan

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A few months ago we were contacted by Tia at Turning Pointe Donkey Rescue in MI to see if we would be able to assist with a large dispersal of over 50 mini horses and donkeys whose owner became ill and new homes needed to be found. In October after several horses and donkeys here were adopted and the unexpected $2000 donation by long-time friend, supporter and equine practitioner, Poppy Phillips, we felt we were finally able assist the minis in MI. We originally discussed bringing 10 to the rescue, our hauler, Paul Brookhart, Hidden Brook Equine Transportation said he could fit up to 18 in his 40 foot rig and as a hauler through Fleet of Angels, he offered us a discounted rate of to fill his trailer and bring them over 1800 miles to the rescue. Sue the owner of M&MS Farms decided to send 16 to us so they were dubbed the SWEET 16 MI Minis. Fundraising to cover all the costs began. Elaine Nash, founder of Fleet of Angels, offered a "Matching Funds" donation as did Jen Reed at Best Friends Animal Society in UT. Additionally, Best Friends offered to cover the vet costs of the coggins and health certificates needed for travel. With the offer of matching funds we were able to raise the cost of transport and initial care of the Sweet 16. They arrived on November 19th. Today, after 2 snow storms we were finally able to give them each new breakaway halters and microchips (excuse the mud in the pictures it is really wet out today). Purple halters are girls, black are the castrated males and red are the intact males. Please meet the SWEET 16: We also would like to thank artist Marty Bowers who donated one of her matted and framed prints that was auctioned and Mari Lenton for being the winning bidder. Additionally Marty will be adopting Starbuck the adorable older, intact mini donkey as a companion for her older intact standard sized jack donkey. The two old men will be best friends in no time. For anyone interested in adoption or foster of any of the minis please respond to this email and we can send you an application with details. Adoption fee is $400 each. This has been a wonderful team effort involving fellow rescues, donors offering matching funds, donors matching those funds, a fabulous equine hauler and many others who shared the need and prayed for safe travels. We are humbled by the efforts of all to help Sue at M&MS Farms with 16 of her beloved equines so they are now in a wonderful place where she doesn't need to worry about their future. Many, many thanks for all you do to help the rescue! Christine Donate Now! Thank you SO much. WE ARE PLEASE TO PARTNER WITH THESE WONDERFUL ORGANIZATIONS AND COMBINE EFFORTS TO SAVE THE SWEET 16. Turning Point Donkey Rescue, whom we have partnered with since 2016, (aka TPDR and/or the rescue) is a Michigan based non-profit organization dedicated to the health and welfare of miniature, standard and mammoth donkeys. www.turningpointedonkeyrescue.com Fleet of Angels is an organization that offers a network of haulers, layover and quarantine facilities and other providers who will offer discounts to rescues for at-risk equines. Additionally, they offer Disaster Response and Emergency Event Management. In 2017 they were oversaw the dispersal of over 900 equines from a law enforcement neglect situation in South Dakota. EqWBR received 5 of the equines during that rescue emergency. www.fleetofangels.org Best Friends Animal Society is a no-kill animal sanctuary in Kanab,UT that has been helping animals since 1984. Best Friends is recognized as a leader in all aspects of animal care and rescue, with practices and innovations that are leading the way in animal care nationwide. www.bestfriends.org