Willamette Horse Outreach Alliance

26/11/2025

26/11/2025

OphaMay is still doing well and now has a friend to snack and nap with. She needs to learn to be handled without fear so she can be evaluated by the vet. She’s Slowly building trust and we’re happy to see the efforts of foster mom’s patience working.

25/11/2025

We're working on raising $25k for the end of the year fundraising, part of which will rebuild our emergency vet fund. This savings account was used to save the lives of Thunder, Jellybean, Forest, and Lucy this year. Each having extensive care, a couple surgeries and multi-week long hospitalizations at Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine - Oregon State University. With our savings AND the graciousness of the Erin and Mary Power Animal Care fund, each of their individual cases were successes in coming back from brink of death. To date we've received a little over $6,000.00 towards our goal.

In April Thunder had surgery to remove bone infection from a recurring abscess. Forest made 2 trips to the university, once for potential eye removal but had treatment instead, and another time for impaction colic which luckily resolved without surgery, while there for his colic he was found to have an irregular and concerning heart beat, that was also successfully treated. The day we were going to pick up Forest, Lucy presented off and it wasn't something we felt could be a wait and see situation. So we asked if she could be looked at while we are already there. That turned into a "leave your phone on for a 2am call" scenario. It was a very rough touch and go for several hours, the medical team and her shear will to live pulled off a miracle and she finally stabilized. She would have died if we were even an hour later in getting her on critical I.V. support. There was no positive testing for cause. It was a sudden and rapid decline that shocked the Dr's. Then the Jellybean case, he was admitted for diagnostics as he presented with colic symptoms and the beginning of pneumonia. During x-rays of his lungs it was discovered that his large colon was full of gravel and several pieces of wire. Naturally passing the amount he had combined with the dangers of the wire continuing through his digestive system was near zero percent. Foreign body removal Surgery was elected and a success.

These are just the big hospitalizations. Locally we've had multiple emergency call outs, 2 euthanasia's, a whole barn vaccination day of 30 equines, and we have an upcoming dental surgery procedure for Skipper. Veterinary care is our second largest expense, can you help us continue saying "YES" to the hard cases?

Send a message to learn more

24/11/2025

If you’re looking for ideas to give back this holiday season, Wilco in Springfield (1401 21st St. Springfield Or 97477) is hosting a loaded with gifts for the sanctuary herds. Stop in and check it out, we are honored to be recognized.

24/11/2025

Josie, likely the oldest horse at our sanctuary whose at least 35 years old per her dental estimation at intake. Your continued support gives her as many more years as she can get with a full tummy and plenty of adoration.

23/11/2025

Jellybean is doing amazing.

23/11/2025

Oliver now (top) and then (bottom)

21/11/2025

11 days from the biggest fundraising DAY of the year.

Giving Tuesday isn’t about raising money.
It’s about keeping a promise:
✨ If you come to WHOA, you will never be abandoned again.
We take the overlooked:
The old, the thin, the fragile, the retired, the misunderstood.
Your support lets us say “yes” when no one else can.
Help us keep that promise.
💛 whoasaves.org/donate

20/11/2025

Can you actually believe we are one week from Thanksgiving?!?! Do you have plans set? Fixings gathered?

19/11/2025

Dinner time check in - whole barn walk. See someone you want to sponsor? Help with a recurring donation in any amount whoasaves.org/donate

17/11/2025

Why Rescues Ask for Donations: A Quick Look Behind the Scenes of a 501(c)(3)

If you’ve ever wondered why animal rescues—ours included—regularly ask for donations, here’s the simple truth:
🐴 Rescues rely on public support.
As a registered 501(c)(3) public charity, WHOA is legally structured to be supported primarily by the public: donors, grants, and community contributions.

We aren’t funded by the government, and we aren’t owned by an individual who can personally finance the care of 30+ equines. Our work is possible because our community believes in it.

📜 The IRS actually requires it.
To stay a 501(c)(3), an organization must meet what’s called the “public support test.” That means:
A significant portion of our funding has to come from the general public,
Not from one person or business,
And not from earned income (like sales or boarding fees).
So when you see rescues posting donation links, hosting fundraisers, or running campaigns—it’s not just need-based. It’s part of what it means to be a public charity.

💸 What donations directly support
At WHOA, donations aren’t abstract. They directly pay for:
Emergency veterinary care
Chronic medical management for seniors and special-needs equines
Dental work (often thousands per horse)
Farrier care every 6–8 weeks
Specialized feed for toothless or metabolic horses
Medications, supplements, hoof boots, blankets, fencing repairs, and safe shelter
Every single animal here is the reason we ask.

🧾 Why transparency matters
Because rescues rely on public support, we’re also required to:
Keep detailed financial records
File annual IRS public reports (Form 990)
Follow strict rules on how donations are used
Maintain charitable purpose and demonstrate community benefit
This is why legitimate rescues are transparent, accountable, and consistently show the work being done.

❤️ You’re part of their story
When you donate—even $5—you’re not just helping a rescue.
You’re helping the horse who needs dental surgery to eat again, the senior who needs daily meds, the donkey who needs a softer climate, the minis who require specialized feedings, and the forgotten ones who walked through our gates with no one else stepping up.
Public support is not a bonus. It’s the backbone of equine rescue.
And we’re endlessly grateful for every person who helps keep this mission alive.