Hunters rescue abandoned horse, bring it to a shelter

GRANDPA HANK

Dumped by his owners and left to starve, alone and without shelter, the horse that is now known affectionately as Grandpa Hank was recently rescued from the mountains near Redding by several hunters, who brought the nearly dead animal to Safe Haven Horse Rescue & Sanctuary.

"He was wandering around in the cold on his own with no food or water, only pine needles and dirt," said Lisa Lashaway, a southern California resident who supports the shelter and does occasional public relations work as a volunteer.

"He was down to 700 pounds and close to death when the hunters saved him," Lashaway said.

Today, less than a month later, Grandpa Hank has had two badly infected teeth pulled and he is happily eating, drinking and getting lots of love. He's in a safe place with a warm blanket on his back, a roof over his head and lots of people to love him," Lashaway wrote in a followup e-mail.

To help Grandpa Hank and other rescued horses, send donations to Safe Haven Horse Rescue & Sanctuary, 3950 West Anderson Drive, Cottonwood, CA 96022.

Every dime donated is put towards the continuing care of more than 40 rescued horses.

For $50 or more each month, you can sponsor an animal and receive the shelter's newsletter.