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Our passion is to help horses in need...
Georgia Equine Rescue League, LTD (GERL) is a non-profit organization with 501 (c) (3) status that believes it is the responsibility of its members to help find solutions to the growing problem of starved, abused, and neglected equine in the state of Georgia. GERL believes that through education, incentive programs for equine health, and funding of the Georgia Department of Agriculture Equine Division and other law enforcement entities, that positive steps can be taken to help reduce and eventually eliminate this problem in our state.
In April 1992, the Humane Care for Equines Act was passed in the State of Georgia. The enforcement of this law was to fall under the responsibility of the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s (GDA) Equine Division. This law allowed the GDA, to impound abuse cases and prosecute offenders. However, even though the Humane Care for Equines Act had been passed, there was no money allotted to fund the enforcement of it.
In January 1993, with $100 loan, six members and a commitment to help Georgia’s starved, abused and neglected horses, the Georgia Equine Rescue League, Ltd., (GERL) was formed to raise funds and support the GDA in their equine endeavors. Today GERL has over 400 members and a budget of $100,000+. To date, GERL has provided over $600,000 for expenses incurred in their equine program.
As in the beginning, GERL’s objective is to continue to support the programs of the GDA and to provide financial support for the impound facility in Mansfield, the prison impound facilities located in Hawkinsville at the Pulaski State Prison and the Lee Arrendale State Prison in Alto, Ga.. All three of these facilities house incoming starved horses that are impounded by the state. Vaccinations, castrations, fencing and shelter are provided by GERL for all three facilities, as well as hay and feed.
GERL also provides a foster care and adoption program for donated and unwanted horses in Georgia. Foster homes provide care and rehabilitation for horses until they can be adopted. Horses adopted through GERL are followed up by GERL Area Coordinators to ensure that they are maintained properly.
GERL responds to 25-50 requests per month. Our phone line receives 15-30 calls per week requesting everything from help with an old horse to auction donations. Each call is returned. Representatives from GERL lecture all over the state to various 4-H clubs, saddle clubs Girl and Boy Scout troops, feed stores and anyone else who is interested. A quarterly newsletter is published to maintain communication with our members. The newsletters provide educational veterinary articles, rehabilitation stories and photos, up-coming fund-raising information, private ads, etc.