COVID restrictions have impacted heavily on the Anna Bay-based horse sanctuary, which has since its inception two years ago relied entirely on community support through fundraisers such as Bunnings barbecues, which are currently off limits, community sponsorship and donations.
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The not-for-profit Hunter Horse Haven Rehabilitation & Sanctuary Inc, which has been granted charity status, is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and re-homing of horses in need of care.
And, says its founder and dedicated horse rescuer and carer Debbie Barber, the number of animals coming into her care are growing by the week.
"We have up to 30 horses now, including around 10 Shetland ponies used for children's rides," she said.
"Unfortunately, for many of these horses we are their only hope for recovery and survival and we need the funds to continue our work in caring for them."
Ms Barber said the organisation was in a spot of bother.
"COVID has impacted on us financially and we are battling to keep our gates open for our free Sunday family days and covering the cost of feeding the horses," she said.
"Also, we have been trying to monitor nearly 100 horses on neglect properties locally. News that Bunnings would not be running its barbecues until at least December has devastated us."
Ms Barber said that she continues to fight the battle of raising horse welfare in Australia and "rescuing as many horses as we can on a daily basis".
"We view tragic scenes like weak foals standing over their fallen near death or dead mums and walking skeletons that amaze you with their will to survive. We put aside our breaking hearts to fight for the life and the welfare of all horses," she said.
"We dust off our clothes and attend meetings with welfare agencies and government departments to help horses on neglect properties and at the same time worry and stress over where the next dollar will come from to feed and rehab the many that have suffered what no animal should suffer.
"We heal their hearts, bodies and minds as ours falters and cries for rest and relief from the continuous number of neglect properties reported containing starving, neglected and/or dead horses and the massive question of how we can raise the funds to save and rehab these horses.
"For Hunter Horse Haven to survive and continue to help the many horses quietly suffering while offering free programs for children with disabilities and their families, we need funds, corporate sponsorship and grants to a minimum value of $10,000."
To support their work, email hunterhorsehaven@gmail.com or go through their Facebook page.
