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A forever home for the final chapter for large animals

Most of the animals that arrive at Out of the Ashes are unadoptable. Some 90 per cent are special needs, with ailments ranging from ulcers to undernourishment to blindness. The large animal rescue has a fundraiser each holiday season
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Angie Hurst and Arabella, a blind horse at Out of the Ashes.

Their hard-luck stories could fill a novel but the final chapter will see them find a loving home. 

Most of the animals that arrive at Out of the Ashes Large Animal Rescue are unadoptable - 90 per cent are special needs - with ailments ranging from ulcers to undernourishment to blindness.

Tucked at the back of a transportation company in Sebringville in a barn with a 40-acre patch of land in behind, Out of the Ashes started in 2011 when Cyrus, a horse on deaths door, was rescued and nursed back to a healthy life.

Nowadays, owner/founder Angie Hurst looks after 90-plus large animals, mostly horses (draft breeds and miniatures) and cattle, along with buffalo, llamas, and some smaller animals such as goats, sheep, ducks and chickens. The number of animals arriving has tripled during COVID. 

"Everyone has a story," Hurst says as she looks around the barn on a cool afternoon. 

Indeed, the not-for-profit's own name stems from a fire a few years ago that razed a barn and killed many animals. 

The animals have often had more than one home, coming from Ontario and Quebec mostly, arriving through facilitation with farms or agencies Out of Ashes partners with including humane societies. The family business - Luckhart Transport - helps get them there. 

"We started out trucking them, and then fostering them," Hurst explained. But the business does not find homes after animals arrive. Although attempts have been made in the past, the animals are at their forever home. 

"We have a Holstein that was supposed to be a foster, that was three-and-a-half years ago," Hurst said. 

A small, dedicated group, including some volunteers and a local veterinarian, look after the animals.

Hurst also works for the family transportation business that her grandfather started. 

The hours can be gruelling, Hurst said and there are some hefty expenses. Because of the advanced age of some of the animals, medication is a big expense, along with feed. Most eat first or second cut alfalfa, others require additional grains. 

While they take monetary and other donated items throughout the year, Out of the Ashes runs a holiday fundraiser each year to offset costs, called Deck the Stalls. Silent auction items are donated and auctioned off. Items can be dropped off at Luckhart Transport, at 4049 Road 135 in Sebringville.

 Email Out of the Ashes at: [email protected]