In 2012, Reno Tahoe Rescue Society (RTRS) was started as a non-profit rescuing small dogs and exotics in Reno and the surrounding areas. Over the years, RTRS has evolved, stepping in where we were needed: from hoarding cases to puppy mills, baby goats suffering from the dairy industry, abandoned “mini” pigs, and we’ve rehabilitated the special needs and those that have needed major surgeries to survive. Our most recent path has called us to help the slaughter-bound horses.

Even though horse slaughter was banned in the US in 2007, every year, an estimated 80,000-100,000 equine are loaded onto trucks and driven from the US to Mexico. The Safeguard Act, first introduced in 2013 and still working to be passed, is intended to ban both horse slaughter and the exportation of horses for slaughter. Many equine make the torturous trip across the boarders for slaughter. Additionally, within the states there are private parties that purchase miniature equine at auction to be used as live food for their exotic pets (lions, tigers, etc.). These laws need to change; animals have a place on this earth and do not deserve to be tortured for consumption.

Knowing we are a small organization, made up of a handful of volunteers, our focus has been on helping a small percentage of equine that may be forgotten. Though we believe that no horse should take the horrible ride into another country, we have to start small and are hoping to bring awareness to the issue at hand. To date, we have saved dozens. All of which that were destined to be shipped to Mexico for slaughter. All of these kids were saved out of Texas and transported to foster homes where they work tirelessly to care for these rescues.

Roughly $2,700, from the cost to bail them from their kill pens, quarantine and boarding in Texas, vetting while boarding, the necessary forms needed for transport, transport to California, and the list goes on. This cost does not include ongoing care once they arrive to the sanctuary. Through it all our family, friends, and followers have been amazing with their likes, shares, and donations – and we are eternally grateful for everyone’s generosity and love.

Though are focus has changed since first starting in 2012, one thing remains the same: we want to save. Our goal in 2020, is to raise enough funding to save six slaughter-bound equine every month throughout the year – rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome. Please consider taking this journey with us, helping us reach our goal, and give these guys a second chance.