Legacy of saving animals lives on

Destiny, a 10-year-old standardbred mare found in a backyard neglect situation, has a second chance at life as a result of a fund set up in honor of the late Mary Klink. MILLSTONE — One year after the death of the local animal control officer, a fund started in her memory is helping to rehabilitate a mare found starving in Manalapan.

Mary Klink, the longtime animal control officer for Millstone Township, Upper Freehold Township and several other municipalities, died last September at the age of 48. The Millstone-based Helping Hearts Equine Rescue (HHER) established the Mary Klink Fund to aid Klink’s favorite breeds — standardbreds and quarterhorses.

Destiny, a 10-year-old standardbred mare, was found in a “backyard neglect” situation, according to HHER founder Lisa Post. Another local animal control officer alerted HHER to the emaciated horse, which received a low number on the state’s body condition scale for visible ribs, lame and wobbly legs, and dehydration, Post said.

“We worked on the issue privately, and ultimately the owner chose to relinquish her to us,” Post said.

Destiny has gained some weight in her two weeks at HHER, where she is being fed four times a day and is under the care of veterinarian Eli Perris, Post said.

“Her feet show signs of malnutrition,” Post said. “At this point, we don’t know if she will recover.”

HHER has several other rescued horses and ponies available for adoption. Among them is Donovan, an aged Friesian cross gelding that was probably a driving horse but has taken well to riding, according to the HHER website.

Buddy, a 13.3-hand bay Morgan/quarterhorse pony that arrived at HHER as a stud last year, had spent at least three weeks in solitary confinement in a tie-stall, up to his knees in filth, according to HHER. Now gelded, he is doing well under saddle and is a good sport pony prospect, according to HHER. Shiloh, a 5-year-old unregistered red dun quarterhorse that is quiet, well behaved and good on trail rides, is also up for adoption.

HHER would also like to find a home for Second Chance, a 2-year-old standardbred gelding that was born at the facility after his mother was rescued one hour before she was scheduled to ship to slaughter. He is now 16 hands and still growing.

HHER is a nonprofit organization. All contributions are tax deductible and can be made to HHER, P.O. Box 342, Perrineville, NJ 08535. To help Destiny, or a future Mary Klink Fund horse, specify “Mary Klink Fund” with the donation.

For more information about the horses up for adoption, visit www.hher.webs.com.