Larimer County agencies are piecing together a plan to care for 27 allegedly emaciated animals that were seized from a rescue shelter over the weekend.
Horses, ponies, donkeys, llamas, goats and a potbelly pig were taken from Animal Angels Horse Rescue Shelter in Wellington on Saturday after the Sheriff’s Office received complaints of animal abuse and neglect.
The Larimer County Humane Society is caring for five goats and the pig, said society spokeswoman Cary Rentola.
The remaining animals seized from the rescue are being cared for at the Larimer County Fairgrounds under the supervision of the Sheriff’s Office, Rentola said.
Animal Angels owner Alesha Matchett faces up to 20 misdemeanor charges of animal cruelty after an investigator determined the animals received inadequate treatment.
Holly Swander, who helped remove one horse from the rescue Dec. 23, said Monday that it will take at least a month of steady nutrition to get the rescued livestock to a healthy weight.
“That was not a horse rescue; that was more like a concentration camp,” Swander said.
Matchett calls the allegations against her “ridiculous.” She says she and her backers will raise the $10,000 bond needed to reclaim the animals.
The Humane Society says that anyone interested in making a donation to help with the cost of feed for the recovered livestock should contact Poudre Pet and Feed Supply, in person or on the phone, at one of the following locations in Fort Collins: 622 N. College Ave., 970-482-2741, or 6204 S. College Ave., 970-225-1255.
Officials want to maintain a consistent diet for the animals, so hay donations are not being accepted at this time.
Anyone interested in fostering or adopting the animals or donating other supplies should contact the Larimer Humane Society at 970-226-3647 then press 383 to access the voice mail to set up for the case.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Monte Whaley: 720-929-0907 or mwhaley@denverpost.com
