rescue needs nominations for Extreme Make Over

[Easy Choice]

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to get the word out about a Rescue that has a chance of being on the TV show Extreme Make Over. I just got the email I'll post at the bottom. I adopted my horse from them and they are wonderful people. It's a mother and daughter run facility and they break their backs working this farm. Everything they get goes into the horses and their home is suffering because of it. I know you probably have similar facilities in your areas and just putting a word in about how hard these people work to stay open and the need to have them would help. Imagine the 'press' this would get being on national TV, it would hopefully help other rescues too. Their name is Rolling Rock Rescue and they're located in Beldenville, WI. Please respond and help the horses and the people who help them. Thanks

Extreme Makeover is coming to WI and we're asking all those who believe in RRR to go on the link below and nominate us for a makeover. The deadline is Feb 27th and the more interest they receive on us, the better chances we have to qualify. Please tell all your friends, family, co-workers (and even enemies if they have computers) to put in a plug for our little rescue. If we should win, it will help us stay open which is questionable at the moment due to the economy crunch. Thanks for your support.

www.wqow.com/global/story.asp?s=9874853&ClientType=Printable

[Angela Freda]

I considered nominating the rescue I volunteer with for this.
The rescue Pres husband said 'no way, bad idea'... and John was right!
Then I read all the stories online of the people who have gone belly up because the house value skyrockets, the taxes skyrocket and the family gets foreclosed on.
It's not the answer I thought it was!

ETA in my mind the show should do less for each family/home so that the people can actually keep those homes. Then they could do MORE homes, rather than doing the one home way over the top.

[msj]

Didn't they do a rescue last yr?

Unfortunately I agree with Angela Freda in that they go a bit too extreme with their help and the tax base goes up dramatically. They did a place not too far from me and NY has one of the highest tax bases to begin with so I can just imagine how the assessment skyrocketed. :(

I'd rather see less 'extreme' changes and more places helped.

[Angela Freda]

You know what we need is a Habitat for Humanity type org that helps 501s
A crew of volunteers overseen by a professional, donated materials, good will and lots of fun.
Probably not the time to start something like that though, huh?

[cloudyandcallie]

You know what we need is a Habitat for Humanity type org that helps 501s
A crew of volunteers overseen by a professional, donated materials, good will and lots of fun.
Probably not the time to start something like that though, huh?

Great idea! Count me in. I'm from the state of Habitat and our ex-gov Jimmy C. does a lot of work for them. Plus Home Depot is headquartered here, altho they are laying off people and might not be able to donate as well as they used to.
A Habitat for Horse Rescues could start with Lori's up at sunkissed, and I will get the news media there to give credit to the donors, if someone will do the organizing, I will be a worker.

[Easy Choice]

I thought it was a great way of getting some much needed free press on how dire the rescues need help. They really want this to happen so I still hope others will consider nominating them.

[Evalee Hunter]

. . . . Then I read all the stories online of the people who have gone belly up because the house value skyrockets, the taxes skyrocket and the family gets foreclosed on.
It's not the answer I thought it was! . . .

I believe they now give an amount of money along with the makeover to offset the problem.

Didn't they do a rescue last yr? . . .

They did a therapeutic riding center last year (Rolling Hills in Port Deposit, MD, maybe?). I heard or read (can't remember where) that Extreme Makeover gave them $50,000 to cover the increased taxes, etc. for a few years. I also heard a lot of rumors that Renee Luther was trying to sell her farm immediately after the makeover - don't know the truth of any of it. I do know the therapeutic riding center was making a big push to raise money after the makeover - was covered in local newspaper articles.

I join everyone else in saying the makeovers should be less extreme & more makeovers should be done.

Before a rescue really decides they want this, they should speak with Renee Luther to see how she feels about what happened - did it help or hurt her therapeutic riding center?

Also, I think there is more to nominating the rescue than just nominating them - don't they need a "hook", a good, special, unique to them, situation? For example, Renee had lost her husband to cancer recently. There's more to who they choose than just "good works".

[Angela Freda]

I thought it was a great way of getting some much needed free press on how dire the rescues need help. They really want this to happen so I still hope others will consider nominating them.
A couple other things make me go 'hmmmm...'

per their website the recently had a barn donated but it's not completed. What will they do with that if EHM comes in? So many rescues would be thrilled with just that donated barn....

They state in their Oct '08 News that they have 45 horses, but no where on the site do they state how many are at their facility, or how many acres their facility is. Does that number incl those they board at the facility also? That is alot of horses, how many people do they have on hand to work with those horses and how do they manage to pay for farrier and vet care on that many? Cha-Ching! I have a big issue with 'rescues' who have more horses than they should. I'm not saying they do, I'm saying that the ommission of pertinent information from their website makes me wonder.
Yes, I am a suspicious person... but I was driven there in a speeding bus with the letters C,B,E,R and A,B,R on the side.

They also state they do retirement and boarding, but again no details on either on their site. Where do the rescued horses come from? If they are from an auction or dealer what is their quarantine protocol? Again with 45 horses, plus/incl boarders and retirees they would have to be very vigilant.

Lastly, they do not have their adoption contract [I am assuming they have one] on their website. They do not even outline what the process is. They simply state something to the effect of 'just pick out your horse and visit it at the fosterers....'
Do they allow breeding?
Do they do periodic site checks?
What other measures do they use to make sure that the adopter is appropriate for the horse and vice versa? Their description of why to foster a horse for them is all butterflies and rainbows 'getting to dress the horses in colorful blankets in the winter' but lacking in the practical [you're capable of training a young horse, you have experience dealing with abused horses, etc] These things just make me worried.

Yes we need more rescues because there are so many horses out there who need.
However the need for quantity should not eradicate the need for quality.

[Ajierene]

They did a therapeutic riding center last year (Rolling Hills in Port Deposit, MD, maybe?). I heard or read (can't remember where) that Extreme Makeover gave them $50,000 to cover the increased taxes, etc. for a few years. I also heard a lot of rumors that Renee Luther was trying to sell her farm immediately after the makeover - don't know the truth of any of it. I do know the therapeutic riding center was making a big push to raise money after the makeover - was covered in local newspaper articles.

I join everyone else in saying the makeovers should be less extreme & more makeovers should be done.

Before a rescue really decides they want this, they should speak with Renee Luther to see how she feels about what happened - did it help or hurt her therapeutic riding center?

Also, I think there is more to nominating the rescue than just nominating them - don't they need a "hook", a good, special, unique to them, situation? For example, Renee had lost her husband to cancer recently. There's more to who they choose than just "good works".

They did do Rolling Hills last year (home of Freedom Hills Therapeutic Riding Facility) - it was kind of a big deal even where I am. I don't know about selling the place. I know it is still a therapeutic riding facility. My mare's old pasture mates' mom lived near there and volunteered there. She eventually moved Skip there with the hopes that with instruction and him living closer she would start riding more.

They do generally need a hook - though I am cautious about rehabbing a rescue just because I get frustrated with so many rescues keeping pasture pets and asking for money to keep pasture pets that they rescued and cannot rehome.

[Drive NJ]

The thought is great, but they go WAAY overboard with what they build. I know of one built for a family in Irvington, NJ (definitely NOT what you'd call 'location, location, location'). When the house was completed and reassessed for tax purposes the value zoomed to over a million dollars and the taxes were through the roof. Problem is this woman was never going to make enough to handle the new taxes, so even a donation 'for a few years' wouldn't help here. The town ended up making some sort of exception - we couldn't figure out how they thought someone was going to spend over a million to live in that neighborhood.

Remember watching for the first time on the Therapeutic Riding Center episodes and thinking. Here's a family that spends so much of their time at the barn - that huge house with vaulted ceilings etc would be much more house than I'd think they want to keep up

Problem is the builders want in on the project to show off what they can do to bring in McMansion buyers. What is typically needed is way less up-scale and more truely family friendly, if not as 'sexy'

[Ajierene]

Remember watching for the first time on the Therapeutic Riding Center episodes and thinking. Here's a family that spends so much of their time at the barn - that huge house with vaulted ceilings etc would be much more house than I'd think they want to keep up

I just googled them and took a look at the pictures and thought the same thing! I always said if I won the lottery, I would NOT want a big house. Give me a nice property, a REALLY nice barn (Iron Spring has this lounge overlooking the arena - wall of glass on that side - I want that!) and a small house. My only caveat is that I would want to build the house in such a way that putting an addition on would be easy. Start out with a two bedroom...have kids, maybe add a bedroom....

[Easy Choice]

I HAVE been there and if you want more info on their adoption process, how the horses are being taken care of etc. their contact info is on their home page and they'd gladly give it to you. I'm a little frustrated with the response of some who question whether RRR is legit or not. Believe me they are, I should know since I've adopted 2 horses from them. I've opened my home to them for the Midwest Horse fair because I believe in them that much. They are WONDERFUL, CARING people. I'm really disappointed by the reaction of this thread and I'm sorry I posted it.

[Angela Freda]

I'm sorry you're sorry.

If the rescue is on the up and up they certainly should not be afraid of those who ask questions. These are questions just about anyone in that industry would expect to be asked.

It's a personal thing, and in no way an indication of rescue legitimacy, but I want to learn everything I can about them from what's written and available to all- ie on their website.
I tend to think if it's not on their website there's likely a reason. Could be that they just haven't uploaded it or whatever, but SOME don't put things on their sites because they are hiding information. For example less legit rescues could insist you call them for specifics on adopting and change their story depending on the caller. I'm not saying this one does, or would, but it happens.

So you've been there, how many acres is the place? And are those 45 horses all rescue horses onsite, or 45 rescue horses there and in foster care, or including the boarders/retirees? Does their adoption contract restrict breeding? Restrict resale? Require site checks?

[Easy Choice]

Yes their contract restricts breeding and selling (you co-own for 10 years), they have the option to periodically check the facilities the horse is being sent to with a 12 hour notice. There are at least 45 horses on the property, a few boarders and they do foster out some. The Fostering is more like a trial period to see if an adoption will work. They require references and check them. They require Vet and barn info with names and phone numbers and they check those too. The contract is 5 pages long and very through. Race horses are adopted with copies of (not original) jockey papers. They are never to be raced again. Companion horses are never to be ridden again. The rescue has the right to take a horse back if they feel the adoptee is not fulfilling their end of the contract. Very legit and above board. Like I said before I highly respect them and feel this make over would benefit them and other rescues around the country with all the national press it would get. I don't know how much land they have but the pastures seem large enough to handle what they have. All the horses that have been there a while are healthy. Those that they aquired from abuse situations are getting the best of care.

[cloudyandcallie]

Yes their contract restricts breeding and selling (you co-own for 10 years), they have the option to periodically check the facilities the horse is being sent to with a 12 hour notice. There are at least 45 horses on the property, a few boarders and they do foster out some. The Fostering is more like a trial period to see if an adoption will work. They require references and check them. They require Vet and barn info with names and phone numbers and they check those too. The contract is 5 pages long and very through. Race horses are adopted with copies of (not original) jockey papers. They are never to be raced again. Companion horses are never to be ridden again. The rescue has the right to take a horse back if they feel the adoptee is not fulfilling their end of the contract. Very legit and above board. Like I said before I highly respect them and feel this make over would benefit them and other rescues around the country with all the national press it would get. I don't know how much land they have but the pastures seem large enough to handle what they have. All the horses that have been there a while are healthy. Those that they aquired from abuse situations are getting the best of care.

Sounds great. I hope they get it. There are always skeptics, even when they aren't the ones shelling out the money. I say let EHM do the evaluation of the prospects, and make the decision as the money isn't coming out of our pockets. I'm sure someone makes sure that the recipients are deserving before they do the makeovers.

[Evalee Hunter]

. . . . I'm really disappointed by the reaction of this thread and I'm sorry I posted it.

I don't think any of us who seem negative on the idea of an Extreme Makeover are totally opposed to it. We are just saying, "THINK about the law of unintended consequences!" What might be the unintended consequences of an Extreme Makeover for this rescue (consequences such as exponentially increased real estate taxes or a house that is really impractical & unusable)?

We are saying after you think about that - why not talk to the therapeutic riding center that had a makeover & ask them how they feel? Has it turned out good or not so good?

This show is Extreme HOME Makeover so they don't do so much for the barn, fencing, run-ins, indoor arena & other farm amenities. Really, my house is livable ... if somebody wanted to offer a PROPERTY makeover, of course I'd LOVE it but that is what I'd want, fencing, run-ins, etc. In fact, my house is 150 years old & I would not want a makeover but a historic renovation, which they don't do.

Which leads to my next question ... Does the rescue WANT a makeover or is this someone else's idea?

And, I say again ... what is your hook here? Rescuing horses is a noble undertaking but there are thousands of horse rescues in this country as well as thousands upon thousands of dog & cat rescues & probably ferret rescues & pet skunk rescues. What makes this rescue stand out from the others, to need a makeover more than the others?

Also, I admit I haven't looked at the website, but others have commented that a barn was donated but is not finished. What is the story on that? Is the rescue supposed to be building the barn from donated materials? Or was someone else building it & just not done yet? Or will it never be done? I don't think this is going to help your cause with Extreme Makeover. Maybe you should focus your efforts on getting volunteer labor to finish the barn or donated materials & labor for things the farm might REALLY need.

Finally, I haven't looked at the website, as I already said, but others have commented on its deficiencies as far as providing information. It sounds like a website update would be a big help to this rescue & another thing that you might really help them with by finding a volunteer website person. Again, the website could be a factor in whether they get a makeover.

Rather than being disappointed, I would think you should be glad you learned so much so you could set about correcting these deficiencies before you actually nominate this rescue for a makeover (IF they even WANT a makeover).

[Ibex]

Extreme Makeover has done a couple that *did* make good sense... usually when there was a charity or business involved. Although I agree the Therapeutic Riding Centre results had me scratching my head a bit!

Wasn't there a single mom who'd lost her husband, and then had their hay sales barns burn down? I rememer they built a more modest house, and re-built the business, including filling the barn with hay...

[Easy Choice]

There is no 'hook', Extreme Makeover is looking at Rolling Rock Rescue and other northern Wis homes as possible projects. I adopted horses from RRR and would love to see them get the nod from the list of prospects. That's it, nothing else, just want to see them get some much needed help.

btw, the barn is up and being used.

[Evalee Hunter]

There is no 'hook', . . .

I don't think you understand what I mean by "hook". A hook is something special that makes them stand out from other similar places, a hook makes them "special". With the therapeutic riding center, the "hook" was that Renee Luther had lost her husband recently to cancer. Extreme Makeover did a house in Wilmington, DE - the "hook" was that the single mother had a son with cerebral palsy (if I remember correctly) & needed a home that was handicapped accessible & would help her meet his special needs. Most of the ones that win have a "sob story" if you will.

One of the things you can do to help this rescue (other than what I already mentioned) is help them figure out their "hook" which will catch the attention of the appropriate people at the TV show. I think the rescue almost has to have a hook to win.

There's a tremendous amount of preparation work that needs to be done before people start requesting a nomination. I don't think Rolling Rock has done the preparation work - updating & improving their website, figuring out to catch the attention of the powers-that-be in charge of the show, finding out whether they really, actually would benefit from winning, that needs to be done FIRST.

I do realize, having re-read your first post after I posted, that they DO want to be nominated. They sound deserving. It is a shame that they don't seem to have approached this in a manner designed to put them at the top of the list of candidates.