Adoption Tails: Casper & Cooper
Photos of Casper & Cooper when Pam got them, vs. now
Approximately eight years ago in the month of December, Jim Maveal, the Gladwin County Animal Control Officer, called Pam Cingano of Beaverton, after he received a call from a concerned citizen, regarding several horses that were starving.
He investigated the situation and it was indeed a case of severe starvation. He went right to work contacting his county connections to find immediate help/homes for these poor creatures.
After Jim called Pam, she spoke to her husband about them taking two of the horses and she promised to not get attached to them and agreed that she would find forever homes for them.
Pam’s sister, Andrea, and she went to pick up two horses.
Surprisingly, both walked right up the ramp and into the trailer. It made Pam think they knew they were being rescued.
“My good friend Denise Richardson found a protocol for saving starved horses and it was strict,” Pam said. ” The feeding was as follows; to give them one fistful of 2nd cutting Alfalfa hay 8 times a day, all the water they wanted, but no grain, no treats, no apples or carrots. On the third day, we could give them a little more than a handful 10 times a day, and we could slowly increase the amounts.”
Even with the strict feeding regime, Pam was willing to put the time into the neglected horses.
“We kept the two horses blanketed and together in the same large stall.” Pam said. ”My veterinarian, Doctor Imlay, came the second day to assess their conditions and make additional recommendations to help them.”
Pam said that the horses had very little hair on their tails and manes when they came to her. It had been eaten by the other horses .
“They were covered with rain rot and very little winter hair,” Pam said. “Their hooves needed to be trimmed too.”
Along with the sad shape of their physical appearance, Pam said that they showed no emotion and their eyes seemed to say nothing.
After the first week, they were starting to make weak, little whinnying noises when they heard people approaching the barn at feeding time.
“They are very sweet tempered, funny, loving horses,” Pam said.
They decided to name the horses Casper and Cooper.
After figuring out the horses' personalities and discovering who they truly were… “I broke my promise,” Pam said. “in case you hadn’t guessed.”
Pam is a board member on the Gladwin County Animal Shelter board and highly recommends and advocates for rescuing and the adoption of pets of all sizes.
The Gladwin County Animal Shelter began operation in 1976, and is dedicated to serving the needs of the animals and citizens of Gladwin County. In 2021, the shelter cared for a little over 970 animals (218 dogs & 756 cats), and continues to make every effort possible to ensure that all healthy, adoptable animals have safe and loving homes and the community practices responsible animal guardianship. Follow the Shelter on Facebook at facebook.com/GladwinAnimalShelter.
The shelter is always accepting donations, which can be dropped off at the shelter during office hours to their physical location at 919 S. River Road, Beaverton, MI 48612, or mailed to their mailing address of, 401 W. Cedar Ave., Gladwin, MI 48624. Our wish list can be found on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3QJFAGDV830NO?ref_=wl_share The shelter is also now able to accept monetary donations online at: Linda Haight Gladwin County Animal Shelter Endowment Fund #00838 – Midland Area Community Foundation (midlandfoundation.org) Donations of time are also appreciated, volunteers can call 989-426-4579 or email gladwincountyanimalshelter@gmail.com to find out ways they can assist at the shelter.
The shelter is going for a millage renewal this year and will be on the August ballot! Please remember to get out and vote!