Help Cousin Gail Cross the Finish Line
Donation protected
As anyone who has read my book, Grand Theft Horse , can attest: Gail Ruffu has literally sacrificed everything to make the world a better place for racehorses. In a 7 year odyssey to save one horse's life (the story of the book), Gail lost everything, but never gave up. She was blacklisted, charged with stealing a racehorse (she would say rescue from being raced to death), lost her training license and ended up in a case that went all the way to the California Supreme Court. But she never gave up the horse she saved, despite the great personal cost to her. That horse is alive and well today, thanks solely to her, and she beat all the charges and got her training license back to boot!
But now the tough Texas gal who sacrifices everything for her animals, needs our help. She has essentially been homeless since 2004. She’s lived out of her truck or her horse trailer, and sometimes eating at shelters and while walking around in boots with holes in the soles them, all so she can take care of the two horses she is now training (plus caring for that elderly race horse mentioned before). She has largely survived on her meager social security check, most of which goes to feeding her animals. But Gail, now 69, has hit an impasse.
Her truck (aka her home) has been impounded and her license has been taken for a lapsed registration. She's unable to cash her social security check because she has no ID now and a new one will take weeks. Through all of this, she continues to train two horses, drug and abuse-free, so she can set the example that racehorses can succeed without drugs and abuse. And the two horses she’s training are ready to race! To keep going, Gail needs help.
The reason I wrote Grand Theft Horse was to inspire young people to take action and help advocate for animals who have no voice. Horse racing has been particularly cruel sport (see Santa Anita), and she has sometimes been a lone voice in the wilderness to keep racehorses alive and drug free. She is a hero to me and I have supported her financially over the years, but I've heard from many readers who want to help her cause, and now Gail truly needs it.
Any money raised will go towards getting her wheels and license back. Then some money so she can eat right, get some basic insurance and health needs covered in the short term. The money will also allow her a chance to secure a more sustainable way to live. Her story was recently featured on NPR's Morning Edition if you want to know more about the amazing life she’s lived. Help Gail get to the finish line.
Anything you give will help her advocate for those who need it: the horses. Thank you!
But now the tough Texas gal who sacrifices everything for her animals, needs our help. She has essentially been homeless since 2004. She’s lived out of her truck or her horse trailer, and sometimes eating at shelters and while walking around in boots with holes in the soles them, all so she can take care of the two horses she is now training (plus caring for that elderly race horse mentioned before). She has largely survived on her meager social security check, most of which goes to feeding her animals. But Gail, now 69, has hit an impasse.
Her truck (aka her home) has been impounded and her license has been taken for a lapsed registration. She's unable to cash her social security check because she has no ID now and a new one will take weeks. Through all of this, she continues to train two horses, drug and abuse-free, so she can set the example that racehorses can succeed without drugs and abuse. And the two horses she’s training are ready to race! To keep going, Gail needs help.
The reason I wrote Grand Theft Horse was to inspire young people to take action and help advocate for animals who have no voice. Horse racing has been particularly cruel sport (see Santa Anita), and she has sometimes been a lone voice in the wilderness to keep racehorses alive and drug free. She is a hero to me and I have supported her financially over the years, but I've heard from many readers who want to help her cause, and now Gail truly needs it.
Any money raised will go towards getting her wheels and license back. Then some money so she can eat right, get some basic insurance and health needs covered in the short term. The money will also allow her a chance to secure a more sustainable way to live. Her story was recently featured on NPR's Morning Edition if you want to know more about the amazing life she’s lived. Help Gail get to the finish line.
Anything you give will help her advocate for those who need it: the horses. Thank you!
Organizer
Greg Neri
Organizer
Tampa, FL