Won't you please help us give a voice to those
that cannot speak for themselves?
We can't do it alone!
HHT IS TENNESSEE'S OLDEST & LARGEST EQUINE HUMANE
ORGANIZATION [501(c)(3)]
Mission Statement
To advocate for, rescue, protect, and defend
our God-given equine from abuse or neglect in Tennessee
Our Purpose is to:
- EDUCATE owners on
compassionate and responsible Equine ownership
- Heighten public AWARENESS about abuse and neglect
of Equine
- RESCUE Equine from cruel or
dangerous situations
- Provide shelter, care, rehabilitation, and ADOPTION
for these abused and neglected Equine
- Assist Law Enforcement with INVESTIGATIONS and
court preparations
- Provide education to OTHERS handling
cruelty/neglect calls and other Equine emergencies within their county
Our History
Horse Haven of Tennessee, Inc. (HHT) was founded in 1999 as a
network of individuals that would open their personal facilities to house horses
that the local Humane Societies and Law Enforcement could not house. Providing
these agencies with places to house abused/neglected horses, at no cost to the
county, helped make local officials more willing to investigate complaints on
equines and to make more serious efforts to stop the abuse.
Over the years HHT came to realize the need for a facility to
house all the animals in one central location. While we still utilize "Foster
Care" (care at private facilities) for short-term and emergency situations, we
found it was important to have a single facility were volunteers could help with
the hands-on care, evaluation and rehabilitation of each horse. Having a central
location allowed for public viewing and visiting, aiding in our efforts to adopt
these friends to good homes.
Since being chartered as a non-profit corporation in 1999,
Horse Haven of Tennessee, Inc. has earned its full 501(3)(c) status making us the
first and largest equine humane organization in the state of Tennessee.
Through the generosity of several private donors, HHT has been
blessed with a place to work. From 1999 - 2006 we were located on a 47-acre farm
in South Knoxville; in 2006 we located to a 20-acre farm in West Knoxville.
Finally, in January 2009 we were blessed with our current location in Hardin
Valley.
This newest property is a real blessing as our horses will be
able to have more space to be horses. The volunteers will have easier access to
the property and be able to offer the horses more one-on-one attention. This
facility will also enable us to provide more services to the general public such
as training and seminars.
We now have access to 13 stalls in the main barn with another
5 stalls in the quarantine barn. With 20 acres of rolling pastures there will be
plenty of paddock space for the horses to enjoy.
Admittedly, keeping our sights on our original purpose has not
been easy. There have been many obstacles placed in our path. But, we have
stayed strong...worked hard...and remained true to our ethical and moral focus.
We have learned from our mistakes and benefitted from our accomplishments.
Our Accomplishments
And our accomplishments have been many!
HHT was invited to be on the planning committee of the Animal
Abuse Task Force (AATF) in Knoxville. The AATF helps with the placement of
animals that are in need of temporary care when their owners leave their homes
due to domestic violence.
In 2005 HHT co-sponsored with the University of Tennessee
Agricultural Extension and The Tennessee Horse Council to hold the first Equine
Cruelty Investigator Training Short Course in Tennessee. Brining the appropriate
training to those who handle abuse and neglect calls within our state is an
important first step towards helping our equine friends. This training has been
held annually by HHT.
From our inception in 1999 to October 2009, Horse Haven of
Tennessee, Inc. is proud to say we have cared for more than 280 horses from
counties all over the state of Tennessee. We continue to strive for better
equine protection laws and are working to build a statewide equine rescue
network. Brining awareness and help to equines in need in Tennessee
requires people from across the state to come together with their resources and
expertise.
If you are interested in helping in these efforts please let
us know!! We can't do it alone!
