​In conjunction with national “Help a Horse Day,” Ojai Mayor Paul Blatz has issued a proclamation announcing commendation for the lifesaving work California Coastal Horse Rescue (CCHR) provides to area equines.
 
CCHR in Ojai will celebrate “Help a Horse Day” from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 24 with an open house and family fun day at the ranch. The community is invited to this free event, which features vendors, food, games, a silent auction (including theme park tickets), pony cart rides for children, other animal rescues and, of course, the stars of the day – the CCHR horses.
 
CCHR’s open house is being held as part of ASPCA® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) “Help a Horse Day,” a nationwide challenge for equine rescues and sanctuaries to raise awareness about abused and neglected horses.
 
In addition to raising awareness, participation in national “Help a Horse Day” allows CCHR to compete for a share of $100,000 in ASPCA grant prizes, which is vital to the work they do year-round to care for horses, many of which have been abused or neglected.
 
“The ASPCA ‘Help a Horse Day’ contest is a wonderful opportunity for our team to welcome Ventura County residents and businesses to our ranch and help spread the word about at-risk horses in our community who are in need of loving homes,” said Adri Howe, president and executive director of California Coastal Horse Rescue. “Horses are majestic, loving animals. We hope everyone will come out on April 24 to learn about our work, make new friends, have some fun and help us win as much as $25,000 so we can continue saving horses for years to come.”

​An all-volunteer, 501(c)3 non-profit organization, CCHR’s mission is to rescue abandoned, abused, neglected and slaughter-bound horses and provide them with a second chance at living healthy, happy and productive lives.
 
CCHR has rescued horses from throughout California since 2000. Once horses are brought back to physical and emotional health, volunteers work to find them loving, permanent homes.
 
This year’s “Help a Horse Day” celebration is in honor of the ASPCA’s 150th Anniversary. On April 26, 1866, ASPCA Founder Henry Bergh stopped a cart driver from beating his horse, resulting in the first successful arrest for the mistreatment of a horse.