Fremont Plans To Find New Home For Injured Foal
FREMONT (CBS SF) -- Police on Thursday announced that the City of Fremont has taken ownership of an injured young foal that was rescued in Morrison Canyon with a broken pelvis on Sunday.
The young male foal that was only six days old when rescued has been named Valentine by police officials and hospital personnel in reference to the day he was found and saved by firefighters and animal service personnel. Valentine has been receiving treatment at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine since Tuesday.
The Fremont Police Department and a Burlingame resident set up a crowd-funding effort to cover the cost of caring for Valentine, collecting over $15,000 in the space of just a few days.
While diagnostic-imaging tests revealed a pelvic fracture, it was determined that the fracture was in a non-weight bearing portion of the foal's pelvis, so what was projected to be expensive surgery is no longer necessary.
The foal is continuing his recovery and has taken a liking to a stuffed animal that was given to him by the UC Davis veterinary hospital staff
Fremont police announced Thursday that city officials met with Valentine's owner on Wednesday. After an extended meeting discussing the foal's medical condition and future needs, the owner decided to surrender Valentine to the City of Fremont.
The owner was very saddened by the circumstances of what happened and also very concerned for Valentine's future, according to a police Facebook post. Police said this is possibly the first time in Fremont's 60 year history that the city has had ownership of a horse.
Money that was raised to go towards Valentine's possible surgery will continue to fund the care and rehabilitation for the foal at UC Davis until veterinarians feel Valentine is healthy enough to leave, according to police.
Fremont Animal Services staff have begun the task of finding a new home for Valentine where he can receive the required care needed for his rehabilitation and ultimately live out a happy and healthy life.
