These pictures show the result of the beating.  These pictures do not however show how much pain this wonderful girl is feeling. She is walking very slow due to being kicked in the ribs  The Vet visited her again this afternoon and there is no change yet. She still has severe swelling to the eye and head.   We are very upset and sad that this type of thing would happen. 

Please pray with us for her recovery.

UPDATE ON VICTORIA 01-05-08  Victoria was operated on 01-04-08 (11) days after the beating she suffered during the break in at our rescue facility.  Under the advise of our Vet we were told we needed to wait until the swelling had a chance to go down before we did surgery. The swelling did not going down in her head and eye like we had hoped. These pictures show her after the surgery 01-04-08. Our Vet operated because he wanted to make sure at this point that a blood clot had not formed.  What he found when surgery was performed is a large amount of tissue damage above the eye and in the head. He also said she is lucky to be alive after the severe blow she took to the eye and head. She is home again healing and we will watch her for the next few days and if the swelling continues or does not go down they will need to operate again and remove this large mass that has formed.  Our Vet said we want to avoid this if possible because of the large area involved that will need to be removed.  Please pray with us so the swelling goes down and our girl starts to heal. 
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EMERGENCY SITUATION
Between Sunday 12/16/07 and today, Monday 12/17/07 we received (11) phones calls about horses needing homes and horses in trouble.  This is the first one that we are working on. We have several other horses that are in need of homes and others that are in trouble due to high hay prices and the severe cold.  We will keep you updated on all of these horses by visiting our website.
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11/27/2007  Hooves and Paws needs Santa Claus
Emily Kesten

GLENWOOD - The horses and large dogs at Hooves and Paws Rescue Inc., are rattling feed buckets instead of ringing bells.
According to owner Genea Stoops, the rehabilitation center in Glenwood is at maximum capacity but is still receiving calls to place animals at the center. Stoops and her husband, Bill, are working to place these animals in safe houses; but even then, they will need to pay the vet and feed bills for each animal.
Hooves and Paws is asking for Christmas gifts ranging from money donations to feed buckets, halters, trees, quality feed for horses, dogs and cats, farrier services, fencing, lumber and grooming tools. A full list is available at www.hoovespaws.org, or contact the Stoops at info@hoovespaws.org or (712) 527-3721.
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September 18th Nonpareil Article about Our Rescue
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Click here for the first rescue story from KMTV Action 3 news.  Click here to see the story KMTV Action 3 News aired a week later about our recently rescued Percherons. In a follow-up story click here. They desperately need sponsorship assistance. Won't you help?
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We are pleased to be the Business Spotlight on the Glenwood website. Go to www.glenwoodia.com and click on Business Spotlight.
See the article on the Glenwood Net Online under the section Getting To Know You
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Bill and Genea Stoops came to Mills County with a purpose. The lifelong Omaha residents and animal lovers wanted to establish a shelter for abused and neglected horses and large breed dogs. For more of this story, click on or type the URL below:
http://www.opinion-tribune.com/articles/2007/04/25/news/news01.txt
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HOOVES AND PAWS FOUNDERS ASK PUBLIC FOR DONATIONS (Glenwood) -- A Mills County couple is asking for the public's help in funding animal rescue efforts. Bill and Genea Stoops founded Hooves and Paws more than a year-and-a-half ago to rescue and rehabilitate unwanted horses and dogs in the area. In an interview on KMA's "Morning Show" Thursday, Genea Stoops says the couple attempts to find homes for the animals--or care for them if they're unwanted. Earlier this week, Stoops says Hooves and Paws rescued three Percheon horses stranded at a Council Bluffs residence. Stoops says taking care of large animals like horses is expensive. That's why Hooves and Paws are asking for the public's help in defraying medical bills and food costs. Those interested in contributing money or hay for the animals can find more information by logging onto www.hoovespaws.org.

KETV Channel 7 aired a story about Hooves & Paws Rescue, Inc. at 10:00 pm Thursday February 22. They kindly posted a link to our website.
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The Bellevue Leader Newspaper has a nice article about the work that is being done at our rescue.  It ran in the February 28, 2007 addition and can be viewed online.
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Click here for a PDF link to Omaha World Herald article on Monday, January 15, 2007
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12/28/2006
Healing four-legged victims
Nicol Weis, Staff Writer
GLENWOOD - A place to heal.

It's what a Mills County couple is providing to abused, neglected or unwanted horses and large breed dogs on their 7-acre ranch in rural Glenwood.

Bill and Genea Stoops started Hooves and Paws Rescue in January 2005 after witnessing the dire need for more rescue facilities while volunteering at a local animal shelter. The husband and wife duo moved from Omaha to southwest Iowa and began to take in four-legged creatures shortly thereafter.

One of those animals was AnnaBelle, a 13-year-old Leopard Appaloosa mare who was badly beaten and severely abused by her former owner. The horse was struck in the head by boards, hit in the face with fists and pushed around by its owner before eventually ending up at Hooves and Paws Rescue off of U.S. Highway 34.

It was 10 days before Genea Stoops was able to come near AnnaBelle. But, being an animal lover, she persisted using the old-fashioned TLC method to gain back the animal's trust. "Right now, she's just a love," said Stoops of AnnaBelle. "But she is still very leery of men because of the abuse."

The ultimate goal of the rescue is to place the horses and large dogs in loving homes following nutritional, behavioral and injury rehabilitation. If an animal is not adoptable, it has a permanent home with the Stoops.

"We keep them 'cause they need a home," said Stoops, who received her first horse when she was 3 years old. "If they stay forever, that's fine. You take that chance. We deal with it."

Euthanasia is an absolute last resort for the animals. Currently roaming the fields near the Stoops' house are three horses, four large breed dogs - three St. Bernards and one Boxer - and five kittens.

Though Genea is allergic to cats, she couldn't turn down the opportunity to take in the felines, whose mother was killed by a car. "My husband said 'Take them,' and I said, 'OK, I'll just wheeze.'"

To care for so many high-maintenance animals is time consuming. Bill and Genea's routine begins at 3:30 each morning. The couple feeds and grooms the horses before heading out to their full-time jobs in Omaha. Genea's mother watches the pets during the day; but when the Stoops get home, it's back to the grind tending to the animals.

"It seems like a lot, but when you do it, it's different," Stoops said of the rigorous daily schedule. "We save our vacation for rescue instances."

Tending to larger mammals can also be expensive. Though the rescue was is able to receive tax-deductible donations because of its 501(c)(3) status, the money isn't always there. "If I don't get donations, I still pay for them," said Stoops of the animals' medical bills and food expenses. "I still take care of them. A lot of it is out of pocket." "We need more donations in order to take care of the animals," she continued. "Care is expensive."

In addition to donations, Hooves and Paws is also seeking a corporate sponsorship to obtain more funding in order install fencing for a quarantined area. Another objective of the rescue is to educate the public to prevent animal abuse.

"We've never been able to figure out why (people abuse animals)," Stoops said. "We think it's just a lack of education. Our goal is to educate people. We want them to keep their animals."

Stoops encourages people with questions about animals to call the rescue at (712) 527-3721 or visit their Web site, hoovespaws.org, for tips on horses and large breed dogs. "Those who don't ask, don't know," Stoops said. "They think two flakes is enough for animals, and it's not."

The Stoops also take in elderly horses no longer wanted as companions, as long as the owners donate to the cause or sponsor the animal's care. "If we can't take the horse, we will transport it (to another rescue)," Stoops said. "We don't take on more horses than we can handle and upkeep."

But they want to know if abuse is happening in Mills County. "If people know an animal that's in trouble, call us," Stoops pleaded. "We'll find a home. We won't let it stay in an abusive situation. "We don't care why you did it; we're not going to judge you. We just want the animal safe."

©Daily Nonpareil 2006