Cow Town Horse and Tack Auction in Turlock, CA, although not the biggest of auctions, is known to be frequented by quite a few kill buyers. Horses are purchased from this, and other auctions in California, and transported out of the state to be slaughtered in Mexico. Although in CA, it is illegal to transport horses for the purpose of slaughter, there is sadly, little to no enforcement of the law.
With only a couple hours till the start of the auction, a friend contacted us to let us know she was going to the auction and bid for us to help us save a few horses. Knowing one of the most horrible of kill buyers and animal abusers, Don Gatz, would be in attendance, we immediately jumped into action. We sent a call out to our donors and they came through in a big way!
We instructed our bidder, Tiffany, to only bid against the kill buyers and only if a private home was not bidding on a horse. Our goal? To be able to keep as many as possible out of Don Gatz and other kill buyers hands!
Unlike most nights, the auction was unusually packed. There were some beautiful nice quality horses up for auction, as well as minis and ponies. Generally at this auction, prices are on the lower side. We were concerned we would not have enough funds to save them all from the kill buyer.
At a typical auction, if a rescue is in attendance, they will be able to save a few horses, are usually out bid or bid up by the kill buyers. The kill buyers generally leave with a good percentage of the horses up for sale. Little did we know, this auction would be very different than most!
As the horses were run through, something wonderful happened! Every horse that a kill buyer bid on (there were 5 in attendance) a private home out bid the kill buyer! All the horses, all the minis and ponies went above the price the kill buyers were willing to pay!
When the auction was coming to an end, the last few horses were being run through and Don Gatz started bidding. Our bidder was not going to let that happen! She bid against him and won. On one of the last horses, with the bid going back and forth between her and the kill buyer, she turned to him and said “I am not going to stop!”. She was determined to not let him have even one horse. Knowing she meant it, he got up and left!
Anyone who attends auctions will tell you, it is a very rare occurrence for a kill buyer to leave an auction without a truck full of horses. Well last night, in a small town in CA, a community and rescues came together to make sure that not one horse would leave there at risk of abuse or slaughter!
We are so thankful to Tiffany for going into the trenches with the slime and coming up smelling like a bed of hay! (if you love horses you know this is the best smell ever).
Welcome to the two newest members of the EAP Herd!
If you would like to help us save more horses from Auction, or help horse owners keep their horses in their homes through our “Stable Homes” programs, please consider a one time or recurring donation!
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