Viewers help flooded horse rescue

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - The Memorial Day rain caused major flooding inside the stables of a Fort Wayne horse rescue shelter.

The rain left up to three feet of standing water in the Shadarobah Horse Rescue barn.  The flood stranded the rescue's 32 horses in their stalls.

Horse waste contaminated the water leaving the animals vulnerable to hoof problems and other serious health concerns.

Several volunteers, including firefighters from the Columbia City Volunteer Fire Department, brought over pumps and spent most of Monday night pumping water out of the barn.

"They actually worked until the pumps quit working at 4:30 this morning," horse rescue owner, Michelle Heitz said.

Heitz credited NewsChannel 15's Monday Nightcast coverage for the outpour of support.

"We had an awesome response," Heitz said.  "It was on the 11:00 news and people were getting out of bed and coming out and helping us last night."

Rachel West of Fort Wayne was one of the many to hear and read the story who dropped what she was doing to step in and help.

"I've been praying to God to show me opportunities to help people and when I saw the story I just knew this was my chance to do something," West said.

Owners said most of the water had been pumped out by Tuesday morning.  However, a lot of contaminated mud is left behind and needs to be removed.

Anyone who is interested in helping remove that mud should click here for contact information.

Shadarobah has operated its horse rescue since 2008.  It rescues horses needing homes.  It has successfully found permanent homes for 45 horses over the years.