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Horse Protection Association of Florida, a 501c3 charitable organization was incorporated in 1990 to address the absence of options for neglected horses in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. Two years into its existence HPAF was thrust into the massive disaster of Hurricane Andrew. We learned on the fly how to deal with coordinating volunteers to go out and pick up stray horses left roaming after barns and fences were obliterated. Over 200 horses were housed at a pasture whose use was donated by Robbies Feed and Supply in the Redlands. Horses were triaged and the injured transported to a hospital set up at the Tropical Park show grounds. Horse owners came to the command center looking for their missing horses. Some horses were found miles from their home, some in canals and some with serious injuries caused by flying debris. Horse owners whose homes were leveled came asking that their horses be picked up when the person had nothing left and no way to care for their animals. The storm aftermath also brought in thieves who absconded with horses, sometimes cleaning out an entire barn full of horses. Some owners never found their dear family members and they never knew if their horses died or were stolen during the six weeks of storm aftermath. This unique situation began HPAF’s long relationship with the Florida Department of Agriculture and sheriff’s offices around the state.
Horse Protection
Association of Florida
Story by Jen Wenzel