News and Stories - True Blue Animal Rescue

HEB Helps TBAR Animals

Since November 2007, HEB Brenham has donated over $ 2000 worth of cat food and dog food to help feed the animals at the True Blue Animal Rescue (TBAR) shelter and foster homes, as well as pets of home-bound senior citizens in the community. Melanie DeAeth, Tbar founder, presents a Gold Star certificate of appreciation to Mark Schneider, Jeannie Rodriquez, Paulo Noronha and Kenny Callender."

Mark Schneider, General Manager of Brenham H.E.B accepts certificate of appreciation and a thank you letter from a True Blue Animal Rescue representative. At his suggestion Tbar volunteers have been collecting pet food from bags that are broken before they reach the shelves. This has helped, not only the homeless pets at Tbar and foster homes, but pets in the community who's owners are homebound and rely on Meals on Wheels deliveries. Now they can receive food for their pets too ! Thank you H.E.B !

Jeanie Rodriquez & Kenny Callender work in H.E.B's Receiving Dept.
and help coordinate the pet food donation program for TBAR.

Ms. Brinkmyer, Ms. Siemsglusz and Ms. Rod of Brenham Middle School recieve Thank You Certificate from Tbar.

Ms. Siemglusz organized a Christmas Drive for the homeless pets at True Blue Animal Rescue. The students and faculty donated so many toys, supplies and food items that the dogs were positively giddy with excitement ! Thanks Brenham Middle School !!

BlueBell Creameries Santa Paws Christmas Drive
Ashley Derkowski, Amanda Wellman and Shannon Meyer from the Bluebell offices organized a special drive to collect much needed food, toys, beds, coupons and cash for the unwanted, homeless pets of True Blue Animal Rescue in Brenham. This will be a very Merry Christmas indeed for Buddy, Jack, Popeye, Shadow and all the rest!

Petsmart's Photos with Santa Paws
Dec 8 & 9th was a big success! Over 90 pictures taken!
Below is Taylor playing Santa on Sunday

BLUEBONNET EQUINE HUMANE SOCIETY AND TRUE BLUE ANIMAL RESCUE TAKE IN TWENTY FIVE NEGLECTED HORSES IN ROBERTSON COUNTY, TEXAS - ORGANIZATION IN DESPERATE NEED OF ASSISTANCE

After seizing approximately 25 horses and 100 cattle from a Robertson County property near Franklin, Texas, Robertson County Sheriff's Deputies called Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society (BEHS) late last week to ask for their assistance with the horses. Deputies first investigated the case after receiving complaints of dead animals visible from the road. They found several dead cattle and two dead horses on the property. Due to the number of animals involved, Robertson County officials knew they needed assistance, and BEHS Executive Director Dr. Jennifer Williams said the organization was pleased to be able to help, "Our goal is to make life easier for the authorities when it comes to horse neglect cases. We'll help investigate reports of neglect, try to teach the owners to take care of their horses when possible or take the horses in after they've been permanently removed from their owners - whatever the authorities need."

BEHS is a 501(c)(3) organization incorporated as a non-profit in both Texas and Arkansas and is funded through donations and fundraisers put on by volunteers, but the organization' s resources are running thin. They worried that they couldn't help all 25 horses, so they called True Blue Animal Rescue (TBAR), a 501(c)(3) rescue helping both horses and small animals in Washington County, Texas. TBAR's founder and President, Melanie DeAeth, quickly agreed to take half of the horses. When asked why she agreed to help Bluebonnet, Melanie said, "Two rescues working together is a great way to show how many rescues there are and how many horses need help." TBAR has responded to many horse neglect cases this year in both Burleson and Washington Counties.

When asked why the organizations were so busy, Dr. Williams responded, "Winter is always a tough time for horses. The grass dries up and some owners don't realize that the horses need hay and grain. We can teach those owners how to take care of their horses, but some owners aren't willing to feed enough to keep the animals healthy. If the horses are suffering, we have to step in."

Both organizations rely on volunteers for help, and there are several ways that horse enthusiasts can help the rescues help more animals:

- Foster! If you have space for even one more horse, please become a foster home. Foster homes are the heart of both organizations - they rehabilitate the horses and give them a second chance at life. Mentoring programs pair up new foster homes with those who are experienced at rehabilitating horses. The experienced foster homes guide and instruct new foster homes so that they can learn how to help the horses who need them.

-Adopt! If you are considering adding another horse to your family, look at the rescue horses. Both organizations have many horses who are broke to ride and others who are at a perfect age to start training. There are talented horses who can become your next ranch horse, trail horse, or even show horse. And if all you want is a pet/companion, the rescues have those, too.

-Join! By becoming a member, you support the work of BEHS and TBAR. Your membership fees help run the rescues and pay the vet bills for these horses as well as the cost of performing seizures and investigations.

-Volunteer! Both BEHS and TBAR need people who can help investigate neglect, help check out potential foster/adoptive homes, check up on the organization' s horses, work at fundraisers, find donations, and more. If you have the time, the rescue can find a volunteer spot for you.

-Donate! It takes months of rehabilitation for starved horses to recover, and during that time they wrack up veterinary bills, farrier bills and feed bills. The rescues need money to help care for the horses, pay vet bills and the costs of investigating neglect. If you have used or new tack you don't need, you can donate that for the organization to sell and raise additional money. All donations are tax-deductible as BEHS and TBAR are both 501(c)(3) organizations.

There are hundreds of horses, donkeys and mules who need your help. Together, we can make a difference.