State Department of Agriculture Commissioner F. Philip Prelli today announced that nearly two dozen horses and two mules seized in animal cruelty and neglect cases will be offered for sale this Saturday, April 24, 2010, at the University of Connecticut’s Annual Spring Horse Auction.
“These animals have come a long way since their rescue and they are healthy and ready to be placed in good homes,” Commissioner Prelli said. “For those individuals with both a place in their heart and in their barn, the UConn auction is the place to be on Saturday. Buyers would also be helping out UConn’s Equine Science students who have organized the sale.”
The sale preview begins at 10 a.m. and the auction starts at 1 p.m.
The annual Horse Auction and Tack and Equipment Sale, held by the University of Connecticut College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, benefit of the Equine Science Program in the Department of Animal Science. Students work the sale and care for horses weeks leading up to the auction to prepare them for the sale. The Tack and Equipment Sale held on Auction day features various vendors selling everything from used boots and breeches to horse trinkets and saddles.
All but four of the rescued and rehabilitated animals that the Department of Agriculture is consigning to the UConn Auction have been cared for at the Department’s rescue barn located at the Gates Correctional Facility in Niantic. Built in 2003, the rescue barn is a cooperative effort of the Departments of Agriculture and Corrections. The animals, all of which have been seized as a result of evidence of animal cruelty and neglect, are cared for daily by Department of Agriculture staff and residents at the Gates Correctional facility. Combinations of 169 horses, mules, and donkeys have been rehabilitated at this facility since its opening.
The Connecticut Military Department has also assisted the Department of Agriculture with its large animal rescue program. Two horses and two mules that will be in the sale have been cared for and rehabilitated since their rescue as part of a working agreement between the two agencies.
The Animal Science Department of UConn’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources has been an important partner in finding good homes for the rehabilitated animals. The staff and students have taken a genuine interest in the animals as shown by their cooperation and dedication at each sale that has been held since 2003.
“The Department would like to thank all those at UConn associated with the auction for their assistance,” Commissioner Prelli said.
The animals to be sold are completely rehabilitated back to a healthy condition. The horses and the mules have current vaccinations, health certificates, negative Coggins tests, and each has a microchip (LifeChip®) for identification purposes. All records will be available to prospective buyers. Although all of the animals are healthy, some are not sound and these will be shown to the viewing attendees as horses for adoption in need of good homes.
For more information regarding the Department’s animals, contact Raymond Connors at 860-622-8554 or visit the auction website at www.canr.uconn.edu/ansci/equine/horsesale.htm. For general information regarding the UConn Annual Spring Horse Auction and Tack and Equipment Tag Sale, you may go to the website or contact UConn at 860-486-2034.
