Jan Shabro, Pierce County Auditor, announced the selection of four owners of equine facilities to contract with the county as temporary housing for rescued, abused and neglected horses and other large animals.

They are E & K Stables, Pegasus Program, Rusty Bar Ranch and Tacoma Equine Hospital. These are five-year, annual renewable contracts, and the county will pay only for services used.

The decision followed months of research and two “horse summits” in Graham and on the Key Peninsula to discuss how to handle this growing problem.

“When we have to impound animals, it is not a happy situation for either the owners or the animals,” Shabro said. “However, it is imperative that we have well-equipped, safe places to house these animals when removal is necessary. When we have these contracts in place, we’re confident that the animals will be well cared for until the situation is resolved.”

Animal Services has occasionally had to use stables throughout the region to house impounded horses. “Since rescues are usually sudden, emergency situations, the county needed a more formal arrangement in place when this occurs,” said Tim Anderson, Animal Control Supervisor. “Consequently, a request for proposal was issued in November 2008, and seven responded.”

A screening team toured the seven facilities in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties on Jan 27 and Feb. 4. The team consisted of Animal Services’ personnel, an equine veterinarian and a conservation district representative. The team rated the facilities on such criteria as cleanliness, experience, proximity to Pierce County, cost, number of animals that could be housed, availability of quarantine space, and staff training. “We were impressed with the quality of all the facilities. And if the applicants who were not chosen want to have us keep their applications on file, we will consider them for future reference as a service provider,” Shabro said.