Friends of Ferdinand, Inc. Needs Your Votes

[horsepix76]

Hey everyone,

I am a volunteer with Friends of Ferdinand, Inc.. I think most of you have at least heard of FFI. FFI is a 501(c)3 non-profit that transitions Thoroughbred exracers from the track to new careers. We specialize in retraining horses for new careers before they go off to new homes because we feel that giving skills to these exracer is the best way to keep them out of harms way. Since our inception in 2005, we have helped over 200 horses find new homes off the track through both our track listing program and our foster program. In addition, we have no full time employees -- we're completely run by volunteers. 97% of all the money we raise goes directly to the horses, their care and their retraining.

So...how can you help? FFI is in the running for a $25,000 grant from Chase. We need as many votes as possible to be considered and would appreciate it if you all here would consider voting for us.

Click here to go to the voting page! (http://apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving/charities/301819?src=embed)

You do have to be a member of Facebook in order to vote. I think its also important to note that you'll also be able to vote for other organizations you believe in, so its not as though you're giving up your vote to FFI.

Here is the FFI website if you'd like to learn more about what FFI does: www.FriendsofFerdinand.org (http://www.FriendsofFerdinand.org)

Thanks guys!

[Susan P]

It would be really helpful to have a list of organizations that will take in horses, specify if they are exclusively TB or OTTB, etc. or all breed. I am near Fair Hill and am surrounded by horses and especially racehorses. Sometimes these trainers and breeders are trying to rehome a horse, the last one was a gorgeous 3 year old, 17 H with 2 bowed tendons and never raced. He was a giveaway. I tried to help find him a home but no one wanted him even for free. I understand he healed up and is ridden, not many details. In the future if I have a list of rescues or whatever I would be happy to take the list to Fair Hill Training Center and neighbors who race horses and the list should have explanations of what each organization offers. Or even if I had a list and when they had a horse I could send them the list. I know enough of these people to get the message out and then I expect that there would be more trainers and breeder to follow as they tell one another about the resources.

[horsepix76]

I imagine that many TB placement organizations are in the same boat as FFI. We currently have over 40 horses on our wait list. All horses we take in are donations -- we don't pay for any of them. The poor economy combined with high feed/hay prices has made it tough for everyone and the horses are paying the price.

The best way to help support horses is to either make a financial donation FFI (or similar organization), or help us spread the word to qualify for grants like the one posted above. Unlike some other organizations, FFI will only take in a horse if we have the money in the bank to support it for up to 6 months. That averages $2000 - $2500 per horse. If everyone on the COTH forums voted for FFI through the above link, we would definitely be in the top 100 charities and receive a $25,000 grant -- which would support 10 - 12 horses.

If you're interested in a listing of reputable organizations to which you can recommend race trainers or folks interested in adopting/buying and exracer, check out this website: http://www.horse-welfare.org/

[caryledee]

Bump...I voted!

Thank you for all the work you do for these horses!

By the way, Shytown Showdown on the Trainers List is happily living with me now. :)

[horsepix76]

Awesome! I'll mark Shytown as sold. Thanks for the vote and the home! :)

[Susan P]

At this moment, a friend is trying to find a home for an OTTB mare. She shared her photo on Facebook jumping a crossrail. She said she has no vices. I don't know if there is even an adoption fee but it seems that she is eagerly if not urgently seeking a good home. My friend is on the east coast but I'm not sure where the horse is located. I would be happy to pass on anyone's email address to her if anyone wants more info. Email me at Barnmom45@aol.com and I'll forward your email.

[Threebars]

You have 20 votes in the first round and can only vote one time for each charity - Sunkist is in the running - any other suggestions?

[babecakes]

I sent the link to my daughter, I don't have FB. She and her friends voted for you. TKS for posting it.

Bless everyone who spend their time, energy and dollars helping these horses discover happiness in their new careers and life. Personally I've taken in 5 to date over the years.