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Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight. ~ Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965) |
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About Us
Bear Valley Rescue was founded in 2004, registering federally as a charity in January of 2005 and provincially as a society in 2008.
We first became involved in horse rescue when we learned about pmu farms. The pmu industry started in the middle of the 1900's with the advent of hormone replacement therapy for women. Pregnant Mare Urine (pmu) farms bred mares in order to collect their urine during pregnancy. The foals resulting from this breeding were often merely a by-product and were sent to auction in the fall so the mares, already re-bred, could return to the barns for urine collection. Because of the large number of foals being born in pmu farms every year (there were over 200 pmu farms in Canada by the turn of the century and most farms had, at minimum, at least 50 mares and often 100 or more), most would subsequently be purchased by meat buyers and shipped to slaughter. On our first trip to a feedlot we ended up purchasing 12 horses. Being faced with hundreds of horses in pens, knowing they were all shipping to slaughter, was no easy thing, and selecting just a few to save was heartbreaking. A few years later, with a downturn in the pmu industry because of concerns about cancer in women taking pmu drugs, we started buying pmu mares that were being culled (all pregnant, of course), and had the privilege of meeting Jennifer Kunz through pmuFoalQuest (she is now the manager of Duchess Sanctuary in Oregon). The rest, as they say, is history. The Rescue has taken on a life of its own, and we now have about 150 horses in our care, along with other resident animals such as rabbits, chickens, pigs, goats, llamas and cows.
Since our inception we have found good homes for many wonderful horses. The Rescue is located in west-central Alberta, on 40 acres. We are so fortunate to have understanding neighbours who are very generous in helping out, mainly by donating the use of land for pasture for the horses. As we find homes for these animals, we can save more of them. It is incredibly sad the number of good horses that end up being slaughtered because no one wants them. Over-breeding, neglect, and a lucrative export meat market all contribute to too many horses, even those that may have been family pets and well loved, facing death in a slaughter house.
In September, 2015, Bear Valley Rescue achieved verification status with Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries. Bear Valley Rescue is honoured to have been the first Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries verified equine sanctuary in Canada. GFAS is the only globally recognized organization providing standards for identifying legitimate animal sanctuaries, with strict standards that have to be met in order to be accredited by their organization.
Bear Valley relies heavily on the generosity of our many supporters. Whether it is through volunteering, monetary donations, donations of items we can use or auction off, or pasture for the horses, and of course through fostering, sponsoring or adopting, we couldn't do it without you. Thank you! We hope you enjoy our site. Visits are by appointment only. Please click HERE for contact information.
Please click HERE to go to our Donate page for more information on donating money or supplies to help the horses.
All donations are used 100% for the benefit of the horses. As a registered charity we can issue tax receipts for cash and donation in kind. Our federal charity registration number is 81116 4193 RR0001. We are also incorporated under the Societies Act of Alberta.
We first became involved in horse rescue when we learned about pmu farms. The pmu industry started in the middle of the 1900's with the advent of hormone replacement therapy for women. Pregnant Mare Urine (pmu) farms bred mares in order to collect their urine during pregnancy. The foals resulting from this breeding were often merely a by-product and were sent to auction in the fall so the mares, already re-bred, could return to the barns for urine collection. Because of the large number of foals being born in pmu farms every year (there were over 200 pmu farms in Canada by the turn of the century and most farms had, at minimum, at least 50 mares and often 100 or more), most would subsequently be purchased by meat buyers and shipped to slaughter. On our first trip to a feedlot we ended up purchasing 12 horses. Being faced with hundreds of horses in pens, knowing they were all shipping to slaughter, was no easy thing, and selecting just a few to save was heartbreaking. A few years later, with a downturn in the pmu industry because of concerns about cancer in women taking pmu drugs, we started buying pmu mares that were being culled (all pregnant, of course), and had the privilege of meeting Jennifer Kunz through pmuFoalQuest (she is now the manager of Duchess Sanctuary in Oregon). The rest, as they say, is history. The Rescue has taken on a life of its own, and we now have about 150 horses in our care, along with other resident animals such as rabbits, chickens, pigs, goats, llamas and cows.
Since our inception we have found good homes for many wonderful horses. The Rescue is located in west-central Alberta, on 40 acres. We are so fortunate to have understanding neighbours who are very generous in helping out, mainly by donating the use of land for pasture for the horses. As we find homes for these animals, we can save more of them. It is incredibly sad the number of good horses that end up being slaughtered because no one wants them. Over-breeding, neglect, and a lucrative export meat market all contribute to too many horses, even those that may have been family pets and well loved, facing death in a slaughter house.
In September, 2015, Bear Valley Rescue achieved verification status with Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries. Bear Valley Rescue is honoured to have been the first Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries verified equine sanctuary in Canada. GFAS is the only globally recognized organization providing standards for identifying legitimate animal sanctuaries, with strict standards that have to be met in order to be accredited by their organization.
Bear Valley relies heavily on the generosity of our many supporters. Whether it is through volunteering, monetary donations, donations of items we can use or auction off, or pasture for the horses, and of course through fostering, sponsoring or adopting, we couldn't do it without you. Thank you! We hope you enjoy our site. Visits are by appointment only. Please click HERE for contact information.
Please click HERE to go to our Donate page for more information on donating money or supplies to help the horses.
All donations are used 100% for the benefit of the horses. As a registered charity we can issue tax receipts for cash and donation in kind. Our federal charity registration number is 81116 4193 RR0001. We are also incorporated under the Societies Act of Alberta.
The Reality of Horse Slaughter
THE END DOESN'T JUSTIFY THE MEANS
Many people don't realize that when they sell their horse at auction there is a VERY big risk that it will be purchased by a meat buyer. The majority of horses sold at livestock auctions do go for meat. At every auction we have attended, about 80 to 90% of the horses were purchased by the meat buyer - weanlings, yearlings, pregnant mares, mares with foals, broke horses, wild horses, healthy horses, sick horses, doesn't matter. It is said that about 1/3 of the horses slaughtered for meat are raised for meat, but that also means that 2/3 of them are not.
There are so many reasons that horses go for slaughter, from those that are raised for meat or through indiscriminate or over breeding, to those that are discarded once they've outlived their 'usefulness', and those that end up at the auction due simply to bad luck, such as a divorce or death resulting in a herd dispersal. Mainly it's feeding an industry that exists to supply horse meat to foreign markets. While there are laws that are supposed to ensure the humane treatment of horses destined for slaughter, the enforcement of those laws is pathetic, if it happens at all. And we don't believe the methods of slaughter and the handling and stress that horses go through on their way to slaughter can be equated with 'humane euthanasia'.
This is often a difference of moral or ethical standards. There are people who see horses as a product or just another source of protein, or who use them as they would any business or financial possession; at the other end of the spectrum are people who see them as companion animals, family members, and pets. Unfortunately, because there are so many differing views on the subject and very little common ground, we probably will not see the end of horse slaughter in Canada in the near future. So all we can do is save them, one life at a time.
There are so many reasons that horses go for slaughter, from those that are raised for meat or through indiscriminate or over breeding, to those that are discarded once they've outlived their 'usefulness', and those that end up at the auction due simply to bad luck, such as a divorce or death resulting in a herd dispersal. Mainly it's feeding an industry that exists to supply horse meat to foreign markets. While there are laws that are supposed to ensure the humane treatment of horses destined for slaughter, the enforcement of those laws is pathetic, if it happens at all. And we don't believe the methods of slaughter and the handling and stress that horses go through on their way to slaughter can be equated with 'humane euthanasia'.
This is often a difference of moral or ethical standards. There are people who see horses as a product or just another source of protein, or who use them as they would any business or financial possession; at the other end of the spectrum are people who see them as companion animals, family members, and pets. Unfortunately, because there are so many differing views on the subject and very little common ground, we probably will not see the end of horse slaughter in Canada in the near future. So all we can do is save them, one life at a time.
THIS IS A MUST READ - White Paper on Horse Slaughter by Veterinarians for Equine Welfare
While this paper specifically deals with the American horse slaughter industry, from what I've personally seen I don't believe that the handling of horses bound for slaughter here in Canada is much different.
While this paper specifically deals with the American horse slaughter industry, from what I've personally seen I don't believe that the handling of horses bound for slaughter here in Canada is much different.
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About Mike and Kathy Bartley
Bear Valley Rescue is run by Mike and Kathy Bartley. We're just 2 people doing what we can to help animals in need. We have dedicated ourselves to taking in and, where possible, re-homing, horses and other animals, and in the process have made a lot of sacrifices - things such as 'spare time' or 'vacation' just don't exist any more. But we do what we do because we are passionate about the animals and feel they all deserve a humane and peaceful existence, no matter what their past or future potential.
As the Rescue has grown we've met a lot of good people and now have many dedicated supporters and wonderful volunteers who share our vision.
Our Mission
Governing Constitution
This rescue group has been organized for the expressed purpose of rescuing and helping animals in need as stated in the mission statement of its constitution. The funds generated by or donated to the rescue shall not be used in any manner other than to further this purpose and shall in no way be used for the personal gain of its members or the board. This group shall be governed by a board consisting of no fewer than 3 members, consisting of (at minimum): President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Motions made to the board must be passed by the board by a majority vote. Vacant board positions and additions to the board are made by nomination from a member of the board and must be passed by the board with a majority vote.
Current members of the board are as follows:
President – Kathy Bartley, Sundre, AB
Treasurer – Janine Falck, Water Valley, AB
Secretary – Janice Smith, Cochrane, AB
Director – Leslie Kobes, MIllarville, AB
Director – Kelly Kay, Rocky Mountain House, AB
Bear Valley Rescue is run by Mike and Kathy Bartley. We're just 2 people doing what we can to help animals in need. We have dedicated ourselves to taking in and, where possible, re-homing, horses and other animals, and in the process have made a lot of sacrifices - things such as 'spare time' or 'vacation' just don't exist any more. But we do what we do because we are passionate about the animals and feel they all deserve a humane and peaceful existence, no matter what their past or future potential.
As the Rescue has grown we've met a lot of good people and now have many dedicated supporters and wonderful volunteers who share our vision.
Our Mission
- To promote animal welfare by saving from slaughter usable and healthy horses and finding them good homes
- To promote animal welfare by rescuing injured or ailing animals from auctions and feedlots or abusive situations and rehabilitating them, or alleviating their suffering
- To promote animal welfare by educating the public on the plight of unwanted or aging horses and other animals
- To promote animal welfare by networking with other rescue organizations and providing support through these networks for finding and placing distressed animals
Governing Constitution
This rescue group has been organized for the expressed purpose of rescuing and helping animals in need as stated in the mission statement of its constitution. The funds generated by or donated to the rescue shall not be used in any manner other than to further this purpose and shall in no way be used for the personal gain of its members or the board. This group shall be governed by a board consisting of no fewer than 3 members, consisting of (at minimum): President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Motions made to the board must be passed by the board by a majority vote. Vacant board positions and additions to the board are made by nomination from a member of the board and must be passed by the board with a majority vote.
Current members of the board are as follows:
President – Kathy Bartley, Sundre, AB
Treasurer – Janine Falck, Water Valley, AB
Secretary – Janice Smith, Cochrane, AB
Director – Leslie Kobes, MIllarville, AB
Director – Kelly Kay, Rocky Mountain House, AB
You can find our federal charity information on the Canadian Revenue Agency website.
The Rescue was featured on CTV2 Alberta Primetime in 2016 (you can watch it at this link - alberta.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=941338) and in several news articles over the years., and highlighted in episode #4 of 'The Horse's Mouth' TV show with Monica Culic in April, 2011.
After the episode aired, The Horse's Mouth posted an update.
The following is a short story written by one of our volunteers about a mare we bought at auction, which illustrates very well the situation facing many horses in Alberta:
The True Story of a Horse With No Name
This story can play out anywhere. This one happens somewhere in Alberta. There is a horse auction in a little town in Alberta. In one of the pens is a little, older, black mare. She is friendly and a little scared. She stands quietly in one corner. People pass, some stop and look at her. The black mare is interested in humans and seems to know how to be nice to get a pet or a treat. She tries to follow the people out of her pen. There is no information about her on the gate, she is only number 954. The auction starts. Some horses get sold to new homes. On some others, only the meatbuyer makes a bid. For these horses there are the tireless people from a horse rescue. They bid on the horses the meatbuyer bids on. They are horses from young to old, healthy or injured or sick. Foals separated from their moms right here at the auction. Horses with the 'wrong' colour, pregnant mares or just 'unwanted' horses for whatever reason. Some other horses get announced by the auctioneer. They have a name, pedigree, some information about health and training. These horses have a better chance to find new homes. And there she comes, number 954, announced only as 'black mare'.... only the meat buyer bids on her.... and the lady from the horse rescue.... The little black mare is lucky, she goes to the horse rescue. The next day at the rescue she finds a new owner. Now she has a name again. Her new name is Stella. The rescue people and her new owner find out that she is trained to ride, possibly trained to drive, she is well handled. Maybe she was a kid's pony, a lesson horse or just a family pet. We will never know. This story has a happy ending. But a lot of horses end up in slaughterhouses....these horses have no name or history anymore. Maybe some of these horses were your kid's pony, friend or lesson horse before.... Think about it!
The following is a short story written by one of our volunteers about a mare we bought at auction, which illustrates very well the situation facing many horses in Alberta:
The True Story of a Horse With No Name
This story can play out anywhere. This one happens somewhere in Alberta. There is a horse auction in a little town in Alberta. In one of the pens is a little, older, black mare. She is friendly and a little scared. She stands quietly in one corner. People pass, some stop and look at her. The black mare is interested in humans and seems to know how to be nice to get a pet or a treat. She tries to follow the people out of her pen. There is no information about her on the gate, she is only number 954. The auction starts. Some horses get sold to new homes. On some others, only the meatbuyer makes a bid. For these horses there are the tireless people from a horse rescue. They bid on the horses the meatbuyer bids on. They are horses from young to old, healthy or injured or sick. Foals separated from their moms right here at the auction. Horses with the 'wrong' colour, pregnant mares or just 'unwanted' horses for whatever reason. Some other horses get announced by the auctioneer. They have a name, pedigree, some information about health and training. These horses have a better chance to find new homes. And there she comes, number 954, announced only as 'black mare'.... only the meat buyer bids on her.... and the lady from the horse rescue.... The little black mare is lucky, she goes to the horse rescue. The next day at the rescue she finds a new owner. Now she has a name again. Her new name is Stella. The rescue people and her new owner find out that she is trained to ride, possibly trained to drive, she is well handled. Maybe she was a kid's pony, a lesson horse or just a family pet. We will never know. This story has a happy ending. But a lot of horses end up in slaughterhouses....these horses have no name or history anymore. Maybe some of these horses were your kid's pony, friend or lesson horse before.... Think about it!