
3/20/08
HARMONY HILL RECEIVES GRANT FROM ASPCA
TO FURTHER EQUINE WELFARE EFFORTS
Schodack Landing, New York, March 19, 2008—Harmony Hill, Inc., based in Schodack Landing, New York, announced today that it is a recipient of a grant of $2,000 from the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) to aid in the sheltering, care, rehabilitation and adoption services for abused, abandoned, neglected and unwanted horses. This grant was awarded to Harmony Hill, Inc. as part of the ASPCA’s Equine Program, a continued commitment on the part of the country’s oldest animal welfare organization to assist in the welfare of horses in the country.
‘‘ASPCA’s generous gift will go a long way to ensure that we can continue to improve upon our facilities and to continue to be able provide shelter and care to unwanted, abused and neglected horses for many years to come” states Tina Murray, founder and owner of Harmony Hill.
“The ASPCA was originally founded to protect horses, and today our equine program remains committed to improving the quality of life for horses around the country,” said ASPCA president & CEO Ed Sayres. “We are proud to recognize the work all these organizations do to provide for the welfare of horses and it is our hope that these grants will help them in their mission.”
In continuing to aid equine organizations throughout the United States, the ASPCA hopes to ensure that all horses are protected and treated humanely. For more information on Harmony Hill, Inc., please visit www.harmony-hill.net. For more information on the ASPCA’s Equine Programs, please visit www.aspca.org/equine.
About the Harmony Hill, Inc.
Harmony Hill is a 501(c)(3) dedicated to providing shelter, care, rehabilitation and adoption services for abused, abandoned, neglected and unwanted horses.
Tina Murray, founder and owner of Harmony Hill, is the Director of Operations at the Mohawk & Hudson River Humane Society and has dedicated her life to the rescue, healing and long-term care of horses and other animals. She is the sole person responsible for the operation of Harmony Hill.
Working closely with other local equine rescues and the Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society, Harmony Hill’s resources are extended to Albany, Columbia, Greene and Rensselaer Counties, making them one of the major proponents in equine and animal rescue in Upstate New York.
Harmony Hill is an all volunteer organization, with no paid staff or administration.
Since its incorporation in November, 2004, Harmony Hill has rescued 30 horses and found suitable, caring homes for 21.
About the ASPCA®
Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) was the first humane organization established in the Western Hemisphere and today has one million supporters. The ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. The ASPCA provides national leadership in anti-cruelty, animal behavior, humane education, government affairs and public policy, shelter support, and animal poison control. The NYC headquarters houses a full-service animal hospital and adoption facility. The Humane Law Enforcement department enforces New York's animal cruelty laws and is featured on the reality television series “Animal Precinct” on Animal Planet. Visit www.aspca.org for more information.
1/28/08
Fergie
Our latest neglect case, 20 year old TB mare living in deplorable conditions was rescued last week along with 2 stallions. They were locked in individual stalls 24/7 with manure that was at least 3 feet deep, no turn out, food, water, light and veterinarian or farrier care. The hay that is in the pictures was due to a good samaritan that had discovered them by accident earlier that week. They are all caked in feces, emaciated and their hooves are severely malformed due to neglect. Catskill Animal Sanctuary took both the stallions where they will be
evaluated by a veterinarian.
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Fergie's Former Home |
Fergie |
Fergie was evaluated by my veterinarians and has severe thrush, scratches and is emaciated. She also is in need of some major dental work, which she is scheduled for; the farrier is her next appointment where he will have his job cut out for him. She fared much better than her stablemates, their feet were extremely contorted and very overgrown to the point that they had trouble walking on solid ground.
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| Feces caked on her body |
Her Hoof |
Fergie’s prognosis is good, she is settling in nicely and we are slowly removing the debris from her body, trying not to cause to much more discomfort in this mare’s life,
she is extremely tolerant.
Check back for Fergie’s progress.
10/23/07
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| Yanni & I taking a break! |
Entire Team |
I just completed a four-day extensive training course sponsored by the Empire State Animal Response Team (ESART) in Saranac, New York. I became certified by Rescue 3 International, an organization made up of professional people involved in emergency services. They are paramedics, firefighters, peace officers, EMTs, SCUBA instructors, rangers and active search and rescue team members.
I successfully completed the requirements for
Technical Animal Rescue and Large Animal Rescue
which meets the criteria as outlined in the National Fire Protection Association 1670 for Technical Rescue in Swiftwater and/or Rope.
I had a great time with the gang from Saranac and would like to thank the local A.S.P.C.A. and my employer Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society for allowing me the opportunity to participate in this invaluable training.
10/5/07
Harmony Hill gives new life to horses
by: Catherine Sager
SCHODACK LANDING-A passion for animals has led Tina Murray to follow a rewarding but sometimes heartbreaking path. As founder and director of Harmony Hill, her work is the rescue and adoption of horses and donkeys. Click here to read more..
7/18/07
The Donkeys had their feet done and what a difference!
Isabella |
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Bernardo |
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Lily |
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7/16/07
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(Left to Right) (Brad Shear, Executive Director, Mohawk & Hudson River Humane Society, Patricia DeAngelis, District Attorney, Tina Murray, Director of Operations, Mohawk & Hudson River Humane Society,
Sue McDonough, Board Member, New York State Humane Association, State Trooper David Notarino and
Pierre the poodle)
PRESS RELEASE
DA DeAngelis Creates New Animal Abuse Task Force
TROY – District Attorney Patricia A. DeAngelis announces the creation of the new Animal Abuse Task Force of Rensselaer County. “On Wednesday night the County Legislature unanimously approved this resolution and I’m excited to announce that the task force is up and running.” said DA DeAngelis.
DA DeAngelis along with local animal rights advocates have been working this task force for about a year. “We have witnessed an increase in the cases of animal abuse and neglect in Rensselaer County and I wanted to bring the animal experts and law enforcement in the same table to work in a collaborative effort and this task force accomplishes that.” said DA DeAngelis. The task force consists of 15 individuals from the District Attorney, to State Police, to Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Department, to Animal Rights Advocates, to Animal Control Officers, to veterinarians, etc. This task force will meet on a regular basis to identify and address issues of animal abuse, maltreatment, and or neglect. The members of this task force will be working with law enforcement when there are concerns of abuse or mistreatment to be an extra set of expert eyes in any possible investigation. The task force will also serve to educate officers in the field of animal abuse and in the ever expanding crime of dog fighting.
“This is the first step for the Task Force,” said DA DeAngelis. “I hope that the coalition will grow and expand to include other counties in the Capital District in the near future.”
07/01/07
New additions to Harmony Hill, four donkeys arrived today in desperate need of care. Their feet are the worst I have seen in my career, they are heavily burdened with worms and underweight. They will need extensive farrier care and slow and steady feeding regimen to get them back in shape.
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Salem's Feet |
The mini jenny (Salem) will be on her way to a new home on Friday.
Isabella the large donkey on the right with Salem the mini. Isabella is in the worst condition. Her feet are so contorted in the front. She is approximately 8 years old. She has never been handled and will be a challenge to get her feet taken care of. She struggles severely when she walks and it is hard to watch. The picture below is a shot of Isabella’s feet. I will take pictures going forward on the progress of her feet as we begin the
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Isabella & Salem |
Isabella's Feet |
Lily (aka Jennifer) is the mom of both Bernardo and Isabella. She is in her 20’s. She is underweight and has spent many years at county fairs with babies by her side. She now deserves to live out her retirement loved, well cared for and no more breeding.
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Lily |
Bernardo is about 10 years old. He is as sweet as can be and will climb right into your pocket.
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Bernardo |
Keeping checking back on the trios recovery process, if you are interested in donating to their care please contact Harmony Hill at 518-518-7464 or go to our Donations page. Thank you.
12/23/06
Our boys are gone. They left today to return to their original home. The judge ruled in favor of the defendant and all the remaining horses were ordered to be returned. It was a sad day here as both of these guys have been a big part of our lives, we have cared for them and watched them heal and grow for almost two years. My heart and hope goes with them and I truly pray that they are well and stay well.
5/7/06
Here are long over due shots of the boys…..as you can see they are both looking good, fat little bellies! For those of you new to the site, you can catch up on their story by scrolling down the screen and seeing how they arrived back in February of '05. Both of these guys are sweethearts and are wonderful to work around, they take a little time to warm up to new people but as soon as they know you, they are in your pockets!
Troop 632 – Girl Scouts from Castleton
A great big thanks to the Girls Scouts from Castleton who spent many hours over the last several weeks pitching in at Harmony Hill, mucking stalls and mucking stalls J
, feeding the animals, cleaning buckets, grooming horses, and last but not least painting the chicken coop. I am not sure how much paint actually made it on the coop, only kidding girls! We had a great time and the llamas and the goats never had it so good with the girls around, the treats were always abundant! I really appreciate their hard work and dedication to getting things done, you guys did a great job! Thank you!!
(Kara Shaw, Julia Buck, Kassidy Carney, Elizabeth Haran, Kelly McInerney, Maggie Miller and Abby Peters)
4/15/06 Saddle Packs 4-H Club & Kimberwicks 4-H Club (pictures coming soon)
I would like to express my sincere thanks to both 4-H clubs for their time and effort spent at Harmony Hill. I was completely overwhelmed first by the size of the group and then by the fact that they just started doing what they needed to do, is the best way I can explain it. All farms need spring clean up this time of year and what this team accomplished in an afternoon, would have taken me all summer, again words can not express my gratitude….
thank you so much!
I also would like to thank Jean Anatriello, owner of Horse Cents Tack Shop in Schaghticoke , New York for her generous donation of horse feed and wormer products.
Thanks again gang and good luck this year in your show season!
10/22/05 Harmony Hill's Tina Murray Honored
New York State Humane Association recognizes Tina at their annual Empire State Animal Protection Forum with an award for her hard work and perseverance at the Cherokee Ridge animal sanctuary seizure. The result of her efforts helped expose the horrific and inhumane conditions existing at Cherokee Ridge, which resulted in the rescue of dozens of helpless animals from cruel and deplorable circumstances.
Tillie and Nellie came from Cherokee Ridge and are now happily settled in their new home together, you can see them in “Happy Endings”.
10/18/05 Harmony Hill has two new arrivals in need of TLC! Check them out under “Available for Adoption”
7/11/05 Harmony Hill goes to School!
| Updated 8/27/05 |
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Joker |
Rudy |
What a difference six months makes! The boys are doing so well and are definitely acting like boys! I am thrilled to see how well they have come along and continue to be amazed on their progress. Pictures are worth 1,000 words!
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| Updated 6/24/05 |
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Joker |
Rudy |
Here are the boys another month later and again a huge difference. All shedded out and continuing to fill out. They have recently been moved out during the day to this pasture and boy was that something to watch. Rudy just recently ventured out from the comforts of his paddock and he ran around with his tail flagged snorting and prancing, it was so thrilling to watch him run. The day he arrived he had looked so pathetic with his back legs, I never thought I would see the day of him looking so handsome and proud! These 2 have been such a joy and I can’t believe it was only 4 months ago when they arrived looking the way they did and now look at them! |
| Updated 5/18/05 |
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Joker |
Rudy |
The transformation continues! As you can see they are continuing to grow and shed out! Rudy is not even recognizable anymore! He has turned into a lovely chocolate palomino. He still has a few stray hairs left, but most of his matted coat is gone, thank goodness! These boys are turning into pocket ponies and love attention and especially being brushed. They are acting like yearlings should and enjoying what life is all about. When they get going, they even get the attention of the ole’ timers around here!
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Updated 4/10/05 |
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Joker |
Rudy |
Well what a difference a couple of months make! These little guys have come along very well, as you can see from their first pictures from 2 months ago! They are not so little, Joker the light palomino has had a huge growth spurt and has gained almost 90lbs if you can believe that! Rudy is coming along nicely as well, we have had several rounds of trimming to get him off of his back end as you can see from his first pictures and he is getting along much better. He is feeling so much better and his big pot belly is almost all gone, he doesn’t look nor act like a little old man in a babies body like he did when he first came! These guy’s have been such a joy to watch, especially now that they are starting to feel better and can actually start acting like young colts….hopefully not too much! J Stay tuned for more updates!
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3/18/05 Harmony Hill receives its 501 (c) (3) status!
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2/14/05 OUR NEWEST FOSTER BABIES!
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Rudy
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Joker
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These little guys joined us this weekend. They were part of the seizure that took place last week in
Schoharie
County
. They are severely underweight, full of parasites, in need of farrier attention and good ole fashion loving. We are assisting the Catskill Animal Sanctuary in their amazing efforts by fostering these babies.
If you would like to help Harmony Hill care for these guys or the rest of the gang please contact us for our current “wish list” or
Thank you!
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1/21/05 Two new Sale Horses added!
12/29/04 Ponies Available for Adoption!
Visit our Horses Currently Available for Adoption
Updated 11/30/04
Tina and Harmony Hill are featured in the Times Union
Click here for the story!
Updated 11/1/04
Check out our Foster Ponies!
Click Here to read the full story.
I visited this place back in August, click on the link above and check out Channel 6 ITEAM Investigative report beginning on August 26, 2004.
2 wonderful ponies are going to their new homes!
Click Here to read more.
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