~QUARTER-ACRE RESCUE RANCH~

What Rules Rescue?  

While there are many guidelines "out there" on the proper, efficient and successful operation of a rescue, it is generally conceeded that there are no set rules or guidelines when it comes to equine rescue "ethics." By "ethics" we mean that set of principles,  moral ideals or  philosophies upon which to base the whole of the your rescue operations.

Rescues operate differently in many various ways and for many various reasons. 

For example, there are some rescues that think it is ok to sell, give, transfer or even "adopt"  their horses outright with no written contracts. Some rescues use "expiring" contracts that are only good for a limited amount of time. Others believe it is Ok to breed rescued animals, as long as is done "responsibly."  Still, other rescues, particuarly the ones that frequent "meat-market" auction houses and/or work directly with the "kill-buyers" think its OK to "turn a blind eye" to auction house & feedlot abuses, as long as they can save "at least some" of the horses from the killlers. 

To determine what ethical or philosophical grounds would be most suitable upon which to base your rescue, you must first ask yourself, what are your moral & ethical beliefs surrounding animal welfare in general? Is it the welfare of all animals in general or only some that concerns you most?  Are you animal rescuers or advocates or both? What is the ultimate goal of your operation, what is its foundation? We believe these to be only some of the important "ethical" considerations one is faced with in the business of animal rescue. 

Here is a link below to better help you understand the principles  of "Menta-Ethics," which is the mental process upon which we draw to derive our ethical beliefs;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meta-ethics

While our long-range goal will always be to work towards making the world a better place for all animals, our short-term and immediate goal, the one that we idealy strive for in our everyday operations, is to protect our own rescued animals from abuse and neglect for the entire duration of their  natural lives, no matter where they go or who with. Of course, life being what it is and people being what they are, we have found that things dont always work out to the "ideal." Nevertheless, the least we can do for the animals, our own as well as ....for the cause of animal welfare in general, is to strive ever-onward towards these ideal goals in our everyday affairs and operations. We do not seek perfection in this imperfect world, ...just only to progress. .   

We here at QARR  are passionately committed to rescue and want to do it with OPTIMUM DURABLE protection for the animals, so we  adhere to four simple "Rescue Rules" we have thus far made for ourselves and our small animal rescue. 

*Due to the provisions of the New York State Agriculture & Markets Law which requires equine and/or farm animal rescues who offer their animals for adoption to obtain a Domestic Animal Health Permit, (DAHP) and to pay a $50.00 fee every two-years,...we are no longer offering our equines or other farm-type animals for adoption. Animals considered "livestock" will remain with us in sanctuary for the duration of their natural lives.   

1. QARR strives to protect our rescued animals for the duration of their lives. The idea is to keep track of the animal for life, and this can only be done through the use of  LIFETIME CONTRACTS. As we well know, contracts are frequently broken, but the idea is to at least try to protect them for life by requiring lifetime contracts. At the very least, requiring a written lifetime contract will deter "bad people" from any interest in your animals. Moreover, a contract, if written properly, is enforceable and gives you legal standing if and when there is a breach. Lifetime contracts go with our animals no matter the type of transfer, whether adoption, sale, or gift, or to whom the animal is transfered to, an individual or organization, such as another rescue. There is NO circumstance where an animal will be transfered without a written lifetime contract in place.  

2. QARR will NEVER allow our rescued animals to be BRED, for ANY reason, by anyone, and will require a NO BREEDING clause provision in ALL  our contracts. Heres why:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjzwuY2R9OI

3. QARR will ALWAYS  REPORT abuse, neglect and cruelty . We believe that there is NEVER any excuse to turn a "blind-eye" to animal cruelty and neglect. Never..

4. QARR does not believe in needless euthansia. We believe that only those animals suffering helplessly with no hope of having any quality of life should be euthanised. We DO NOT believe in euthansia as a means of population control. We are proud members of Nathan Wineograds,....

There you have it. Our four simple rules. They are by no means the only rules, but they are our basic rules and the foundation of all our operations. We are happy with them. Hope you are too. Together, we can make a difference!

Quarter Acre Rescue Ranch 

and Equine Advocacy Center

"Because We Care"

 

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