Horse Harbor Foundation

Description

At Horse Harbor Foundation, we provide lifelong care and sanctuary to at-risk horses who face inhumane circumstances such as neglect, abuse, slaughter, untreated illness, abandonment, or preventable premature euthanasia. Founded in 1994 and incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 1996, Horse Harbor has rescued and provided a permanent home to well over 100 horses over the years. It also serves as the local hub for a network of nonprofit equine rescue partners in the region who have rehomed over 800 more horses in Washington state together.

Horse Harbor not only fulfills a critical need within the world of equine rescue but also provides equine education and community support for horse owners and through its school of horsemanship teaches horse stewardship to students of all ages and experience levels.

Through our educational programs, Horse Harbor has empowered and changed the lives of over 150 special needs and disabled youth within Kitsap County, and countless weekly enrolled students. Our volunteers range in age from our regular older students to adults in the community, brought together for a shared purpose and developing leadership skills, responsibility, and a strong animal care ethic. We have built community partnerships with Kitsap Mental Health, North Kitsap School District, DDA and Kitsap Recovery Center.

For many of our students and volunteers the foundation is a second family, with relationships formed through a shared love of horses and the power of animal-aided therapy. Students are taught through riding lessons, summer day camps and equine stewardship classes to develop a spirit of volunteerism, while providing essential care to our rescued horses.

This work is 24-7, 365 days a year, and while we would never trade it for the world, we need additional financial support as we struggle with the rising cost of hay, feed, veterinary, farrier and other essential needs during this time of steadily rising costs. If you have the ability to donate, know that there has never been a more critical time for us than right now! Your donation will go directly to the care and keep of our resident herd of 24 rescued horses, all of whom play an important role in our educational and therapeutic programs. These are the areas we need your support with:

- Veterinary care fund for annuals, dental care, joint injections, medications and emergency care
- Facility maintenance, paddock gravel, pasture maintenance and reseeding, fencing repairs
- Support for educational programs and our riding school (tuition support for students, tack maintenance, safety gear)

Thank you for taking the time to learn about Horse Harbor Foundation! We appreciate your interest and support. Please consider following us on Instagram, Facebook and our website Horse Harbor for continued updates about our herd, programs and additional opportunities to support our work.

Recognition

We are grateful to all of our supporters, from our member contributions to our larger donors and grants. Organizations that have provided grants to the Horse Harbor Foundation include:

The Teddy Cole Foundation for Horses
The Birkenfeld Trust Fund of the Seattle Foundation
The Rotary Club of Bainbridge Island
The Bainbridge Community Foundation
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)
The Suquamish Tribe