OKEECHOBEE, FL (352today.com) – Hurricane Helene didn’t only effect humans. Animals were impacted, too – including horses. A nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) status is seeking donations in three counties: Marion, Levy, and Lake. They have established collection sites and times in Ocala, Williston, and Umatilla.

Florida Equine Disaster Response (FEDR) is making its presence felt by helping others who are recovering from the impact of a storm that has altered lives, not only of humans but their animals.

“We got this started after Hurricane Ian,” says Barry Spinweber Jr., who is a firefighter, paramedic, horse trainer and founder of the nonprofit. “We noticed a huge lack in the response for the equine community. The agricultural community banded together to help each other out, the neighbors and our fellow horse people.”

The collective effort of people within the community and their concern for the animals effected by disasters understand that some areas face greater logistical challenges than others and do their part to help during crisis situations, says Spinweber.

“We all pitch in to do the neighborly thing to help each other out,” says Spinweber. “It’s only a matter of time before the favor is going to be returned to us.”

The disaster response team addressed horse owners’ needs after Hurricane Idalia, but they faced several challenges, such as obtaining the right trucks and fuel.

“We noticed during the last storm, Idalia, that in the north there’s not a whole lot of money in that area,” says Spinweber.

In parts of the state with many horses, people are more sympathetic to horses that may need help after a disaster. This is different from areas where there is less knowledge or experience with horses and equestrian activities.

“The one thing that we learned with Idalia was that there wasn’t a whole lot of presence there,” Spinweber explains. “There were more back yard horses and rural communities, and just getting the word out that there are people in trouble. No one really knew what was going on. I think this time we’re doing a little bit better job about reaching the people and leaders in the area to show that there are horses that are struggling and suffering.”

FEDR has taken a far more proactive approach in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, reaching out to leaders in the equine community, and reaching out to people who may have lost their ability to communicate with cell phone service being disrupted as a result of the storm.

“A lot of my volunteers in the area are working off of generator power right now,” says Spinweber. “It’s very sporadic what we can get done because we don’t have power ourselves.”

You can make a donation to FEDR at the following locations:

  • Black Horse Ranch located at 22651, SE, Hwy. 42 in Umatilla, Oct. 2-5 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Call 352-434-2526 for information.
  • Archie’s Wood Fire Pizza located at 16475 NW U.S. Hwy. 27 in Williston, Oct. 3-4 from 4-9 p.m. during their grand opening, and Oct. 5-6 from 12-9 p.m.  Call 352-234-6119 for details.
  • J & J Tack Shack located at 6625 W.  Hwy. 40 in Ocala, Oct. 5 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Call 352-873-8644 with any questions.

Donations being accepted for horses are:

  • Senior grain
  • Alfalfa cubes
  • Pelleted pine shavings
  • Hay
  • Wraps
  • Bandages
  • Medical supplies
  • Fence material
  • Small bags of dog and cat food

For more information, call FDER at 888-298-1310 or you can email them at support@fledr.org