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Charity
saves mare and foal from certain death
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An
emaciated mare, who was barely able to stand and her newly born
foal have been saved from certain death by The Blue Cross animal
welfare charity.
Marie
Claire, an emaciated, lice-ridden and worm-infested mare had unexpectedly
just given birth in a puddle to a tiny foal when her owner decided
that both mother and daughter should be shot. The attending vet
tipped off the local Blue Cross centre and Manager Liz Grant rushed
to the scene and took both mare and filly foal to the safety of
The Blue Cross small animal and equine adoption centre in Northiam,
West Sussex.
The
mare, estimated to be about seven-years-old, was in such a weak
state, with severely protruding bones, hairless skin and extremely
overgrown feet, that it seemed unlikely she or the foal, named Sesame,
would survive. Fortunately the expertise and round-the-clock care
given by staff at The Blue Cross, together with Marie Claires
determination to feed her small foal have enabled them to begin
the slow process of recovery. Centre staff slept in the stable alongside
Marie Claire and Sesame keeping watch over their precarious condition.
Liz
Grant, centre manager of The Blue Cross Northiam centre says: This
is the worst case of emaciation I have ever seen in my nine years
of working in animal welfare. Marie Claires case is even more
horrific because throughout her suffering she was struggling so
hard to sustain her foal.
Emma
Rooke, the veterinary surgeon who notified The Blue Cross and helped
to transport to mare to safety, adds: It defies belief that
in todays society we can allow an animal to reach such a tragic
state. The mare and foal deserved a chance and thankfully in the
capable hands of The Blue Cross, Marie Claire and Sesame now have
every likelihood of making a complete recovery.
The
Blue Cross is Britain's pet charity, providing information, advice
and practical support for pet and horse owners. Through its network
of animal adoption centres it rehomes thousands of animals each
year. Its hospitals provide veterinary care for the pets of people
who cannot afford private vets' fees.
www.bluecross.org.uk
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