[dropcaps]B[/dropcaps]eauty’s Haven Farm & Equine Rescue, Inc. is the culmination of a lifelong dream come true for Theresa Batchelor, president and co-founder. As a child, Theresa grew up with horses and wanted to help those that were less fortunate.

In 1997, Theresa experienced a life threatening injury and was informed by her doctors that she would never walk again. But Theresa felt otherwise – she was not about to give up. She and her husband, Bob, who had recently retired from the Air Force, had two small children at the time and an entire lifetime ahead of them. Through sheer determination, hard work, faith, and support from her family, Theresa did regain use of her limbs although she is now, an incomplete quadriplegic and subsequently, has no feeling or sensation below her neck. As she was going through a very dark period of adjusting to her physical limitations, Theresa met a neglected and abused Arabian filly that was petrified of humans. It was as if fate had brought them together at the perfect moment in time as they set upon a path of healing one another. In 2006, Beauty’s Haven was established and was named after that beautiful little filly.

Bob recently suffered a heart attack and needs cardio physical therapy. Normally, Theresa manages the daily care of the 40+ equines while Bob oversees all maintenance requirements of the barn, shelters, farm equipment, and almost 18 acres of fencing, etc. Both also work in the office and take care of the horses 24/7/365. Although Beauty’s Haven has wonderful volunteers who care for the horses on most mornings and one afternoon each week, the majority of the horses’ care and maintenance tasks rests upon Theresa and Bob. Since Bob’s heart attack, Theresa’s time in the office has been limited, preventing her from posting daily updates which subsequently, has caused donations to decline. In addition, six equines have recently returned to the rescue due to their adopters’ own medical and/or personal issues. Grass has gone dormant which means the rescue must purchase a ton of hay every four days at the cost of $565 (avg) per ton. All of these events, combined, has truly taken a toll on the rescues’ finances and manpower. Manpower is needed to assist us during this trying time and homes are needed for our many adoptable horses which would greatly help in freeing up financial resources.

Most horses that make their way to the rescue are those that others have given up on, horses like our sweet Betsy Rose, a little mare that was tossed aside, like garbage, and left to die. Betsy was skin on bones – too weak to stand or even to hold up her head. It was suggested that she be humanely euthanized but when Theresa looked in the eyes of this little mare, she knew that Betsy was not ready to give up. At Beauty’s Haven, we do believe in miracles as we have experienced them firsthand. It took months of around the clock intensive care and rehab, but Betsy Rose is a survivor and is doing remarkably well. Her story is an inspiration for many to believe in themselves and their inner strength and to never, ever, give up. So, you see, through helping horses, Beauty’s Haven helps people, too. Like some of our other Sanctuary horses, Betsy Rose has special needs and will live out her sunset years at the rescue. However, there are many horses at the rescue that have completed their rehabilitation and are looking for forever homes. (Visit our Adoption Gallery.)

The ASPCA has most graciously offered $5,000 in matching funds to help us during this challenging time! All donations made and marked for the “ASPCA Match Game” will be matched once we reach the $5000 mark. That’s right – once we receive $5000 in donations, it will be matched by a $5000 grant from the ASPCA!

Please consider helping us to reach our goal to secure, as an end result, $10,000 in this effort. And please share this with family and friends and ask them to consider helping us as well, and perhaps, they will, in turn, share amongst others as well! Every donation makes a difference and no amount is too small.

Donations made in support of this match game must be identified in a note, email, or other documentation, that the donation is for the “ASPCA Match Game” in order to be included. The $5000 in donations must be received by midnight, December 23, 2015, in order for us to receive the matching grant from the ASPCA.

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The ASPCA was the first animal welfare organization to be established in North America and is one of the largest in the world. They were founded in 1866 on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment at the hands of humans, and must be protected under the law. Their mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States and they serve as a national leader in the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services.

Beauty’s Haven is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization registered in the state of Florida (CH-21245). We are not funded by Local, State, or Federal funds. We operate totally from donations from the public.

• Awarded “Verified” status by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (#GFAS) in 2012. GFAS is the only globally recognized organization that provides standards for identifying legitimate animal sanctuaries.
• Guidestar Exchange Silver Participant
• GreatNonprofits Top Rated Non-Profit 2014 & 2015
• Awarded November 2014 Equine Hero