On Friday, December 8 at 5 p.m., I received a text from Kevin Taylor, a high school friend of my husband (Paul Pedroza), saying, “My office (Senator Henry Stern) is organizing emergency hay donations for Ventura County evacuated horses. Please let me know if you can help.” I called him back and told him what I could offer at a discounted price: over 100 bales of hay, muck buckets, rakes, fly masks, senior feed, horse cookies and pig food.
At 6:30, the shop phone rang and my son, Jack answered it. He said, “Mom it’s someone who wants to give you money for the hay.” Judie Mancuso, founder of Social Compassion in Legislation (SCIL), and Katie Cleary of Peace for Animals, were calling me with credit card numbers to cover the entire bill. I thanked them and said to let me reach out for donations from the community, as well.
At 9 p.m., I posted on Facebook and Nextdoor that help was needed. The response poured in; people were offering their trucks, time and money.
On Saturday, at 8:30 a.m., the first truck showed up. With the help of many volunteers, the last truck left by 9:30 a.m. and the convoy was off to Ventura County fairgrounds.
It all happened so quickly I wasn’t able to keep track of everyone who donated. A giant thank-you to Topanga who made this happen. Over $3,500 worth of supplies were delivered. Our delivery has been paid for in full. The organizations are now working with hay distributors and feed dealers to get large deliveries made where they are needed. If you would like to donate to Social Compassion or Peace for Pets, 100 percent of the money donated will pay for feed and supplies as long as they are needed.
TO DONATE
Social Compassion in Legislation has been a vanguard voice sponsoring landmark local, state, or federal legislation since 2007 to save and protect animals by giving them a voice in the halls of government. (socialcompassioninlegislation.org)
Peace for Animals raises funds for endangered species, helps rescue, rehabilitate and find homes for domestic animals, and provides education programs to children and the public. Their documentary, Give Me Shelter, raises awareness for animal welfare issues worldwide. (peace4animals.net)
