An online fundraising campaign has been launched in the name of a herd of horses at the centre of a fledgling non-profit society and a controversy over the alleged level of care they've been receiving.
According to a posting on GoFundMe for "Feed the Appaloosa Heritage Herd," the plan is to raise enough money to preserve a "distinct group of 172 registered Appaloosa horses" under the auspices of the B.C. Appaloosa Centre Heritage Herd Collective and to assist the herd's owners, Howard and Marilyn Jackson, with their transition into retirement.
"By keeping them together, we are carrying on the Jackson's Legacy but also preserving unique bloodlines that are one generation from being genetically pure in the tradition of the original Nez Perce Appaloosa," according to the posting, created Nov. 5 by Kim Gouchie.
"Your funds will help to tide us over until we become a registered non profit society at which time we will begin offering equine assisted therapy and workshops, outdoor adventure camps, arts and culture camps and more.
"Most importantly, your kindness and generosity will also help the Jackson's to rest easy over the winter months as they look out their window with peace of mind knowing that the horses will be okay through the winter."
Another group has tentatively planned a rally for Saturday, 11 a.m., at the corner of Giscome and Old Caribou Road over concerns about what they've seen on a field near the airport where part of the herd has been pastured.
"We are holding the rally as we as a community are very concerned for the welfare of the horses," rally organizer Courtney Stubbs said in a message to The Citizen.
However, since word of the rally has got out, the horses were in the process of being moved Friday raising the question of whether a rally is worth holding.
"They are all rounded up and a horse trailer is there," Stubbs said in a subsequent message. "So I'm not sure if continuing with the rally will do much good."
Debbie Goodine, the B.C. SPCA's senior animal protection officer in Prince George, said she's been made aware of the situation and is working with the owner, but declined to provide further details about the condition of the animals.
"We keep in contact, we make our recommendations, and we monitor to ensure things are progressing, we do followups," Goodine said. "And in situations where that fails, if animals aren't compliant and aren't relieving distress, then that puts us in a situation where we look at taking potential legal action, which can include seizure and-or charges being presented to Crown."
Goodine indicated she has fielded complaints related to the same owners in the past.
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