About Us

Connecting on a personal level is an important part of sharing ideas. On this page we'll present some details about our organization and the people behind it.

Saving someone's dream daily!

Our Staff

We have also joined with our local Humane Society, as they don't have the resources to handle horses. We hope the partnership will be good for all of us.

Shirley and Ed

Shirley McCans, owner and operator

Pictured here with one of our rescues, a mustang named Danny

Shirley and Dannyboy

The head barn goddess, manager, whatever involves getting dirty and sweating.

Desiree Rutherford, Funding Director

Desiree's Horse Resume

After meeting Shirley McCans and seeing the wonderful work that she does on a daily basis at Ozland Horse Rescue, I knew I wanted to be a part of her endeavors.

Being involved with horses, since 1979, I have strived to make a difference in the horseworld, by passing on my knowledge as a horsewoman and riding instructor. I presently, own and show different breeds, and mentor several individuals on a weekly basis in Stable Management and general all-round equine care.

At present, I coordinate all fund raising activities with Shirley, and try to donate my physical help twice a year at the farm. I am responsible for writing and applying for grants for the Rescue, and am currently involved the ongoing Recycling Project for the benefit of the horses. We also have become part of the Ebay program, Mission Fish, listing items for auction on the world wide web, and tracking that program for fundraising activities. On a local level, here in Missouri, during April, we got the word out by having a "sale" table for Ozland's benefit, which netted us some much needed funds. During that sale, we also made several new contacts for the Rescue's benefit--a sanctioned horseshow judge, who is donating her expertise. Next Spring, please watch our website for updates!

Julie Freeland, Editor

I first came across Ozland Horse Rescue in 2001. In 2003, I hitched a ride to Ozland to be a part of the Ozland fence building crew. I got to meet Shirley and see first hand the difference she makes in the equine world.

A few months ago, I volunteered to fill in as newsletter editor. As it turned out, I was pretty good at it. The board of directors were pleased with my work and offered me the position of editor for Ozland Horse Rescue. I have enjoyed doing the newsletter for the rescue and am excited to be able to continue to help.

Ever since I was little, I have loved animals. I was constantly bringing injured and abandoned wild animals in the house. I still rescue critters to this day. The majority of my pets are rescues.

As a teen, I had the opportunity to be barn manager at a stable that did therapeutic horseback riding for people with disabilities. I loved that job and gained a lot of horse knowledge there.

Currently, I work full time for the State of Kansas, attend college classes in the evening and spend time on my farm with my husband and animals.

I look forward to my new position as editor for Ozland Horse Rescue.

Our 501(c)3 paperwork is now in hand, and we are a legal charity. Took a little over a year to complete, and I'm glad it's over!

Arkansas State Chapter Paper

IRS EIN #

Consent to Fix Assets

What we do

Ozland Horse Rescue was formed in 1997, to teach the community and public-at-large about equine abuse and starvation. They have been involved with law enforcement officials assisting them with documentation and helpful in the prosecution of equine abusers. The Organization was created to fill the void in the community to teach horse owners responsible equine care for their equine companions.

We are here to take in any abused, neglected, or just plain old, horse that needs our loving care. If we can rehabilitate them, they are carefully adopted out to new homes. The new "parents" must fill out an adoption form stating that they will provide proper and loving care for their new charge, And we DO make home visits on a regular basis to make sure it is done properly.

When a horse is deemed ready for retirement, we provide them with a well deserved retirement home for the remainder of their days. We make sure those are happy days. We also use donations to save as many from "kill" buyers as possible. This takes a lot because kill prices are up due to the European horsemeat market. We need your help on this one. Thousands of horses go to slaughter every week in this country.

Shirley and Feather

DONATE YOUR HORSE TO OZLAND HORSE RESCUE!!!!

Can't find a home for your horse? Want to know that your horse will have a "forever" home? Or just want to help the rescue by donating a horse? Then by all means, CONTACT US!

All donated horses must come with a halter that fits and a bag of whatever feed they are eating. You must also provide transportation, as we cannot. All donated horses must also have a recent coggins, and if they have health problems or injuries, a statement from your vet covering the extent of the problem, and recommendations for treatment.

Ozland is in need of a bookkeeper. If you are able to help, please contact Shirley

C. Michele Klawitter, Marketing & Advertising Director

Michele riding a Paso Fino named Rita

Recently, I was thrilled to be appointed to the Board of Directors of Ozland Horse Rescue as Marketing and Advertising Director as a "voice" that makes a difference in the horse world. Over the past year, I have been involved with Ozland Horse Rescue, and have assisted the Rescue with my expertise and knowledge of the use of the World Wide Web. My function is to facilitate Shirley's website, and also, market any upcoming events or fundraising activities to benefit the Rescues in our charge.

Since a small child, I have been involved in the equine industry through my immediate family. My wonderful Aunt Terry, who had her own personal horses, spent countless hours sharing her love of horses and equine care, until I grew up and chose to pursue a degree in Horse Husbandry at Martin Community College College in Williamston, NC in 1995. Due to unforeseen events, I was not able to finish my degree---a handful of credits shy. Going forward, it is my intention to complete that degree, with the support of my family and friends, and it will be accomplished someday when my son is a little older. I have since trained from ground up 4 horses.

I live in Aiken, SC and currently am a paralegal for H. Wilson Haynes, Jr., PC. I also assist in the training of Paso Finos for Stella Manberg-Wise of Great Blazes Farm Paso Fino in Windsor, SC. http://greatblazes.com/Directory.htm

Please contact me, if you have any suggestions regarding the website or marketing ideas, and I'll pass them onto the rest of the board for their consideration. We are always listening to your thoughts on how we can introduce ourselves to the public more efficiently.

We also have the help of an excellent farrier, and two vets, one of which is a very sought after horse specialist.

IVERCARE® - BECAUSE YOU CARE™ AWARD WINNER

PHOENIX, Ariz. – (Dec. 30, 2003) Five winners are sharing prize money totaling $17,500 in the IVERCARE® – Because You Care™ award program. The program, sponsored by Farnam Horse Products, rewards nonprofit organizations and individuals who strive to improve the health and welfare of horses and/or humans who love them.

The winners, chosen from among 100 equine industry nominees, include: Rebecca Miolen in the individual category; Lazy Maple Equine Rescue & Rehabilitation Center and Ozland Horse Rescue in the small organization category; and the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation and Institute of Range and American Mustang Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary in the large organization category.

Farnam will award $2,500 to each of the two winning small organizations (annual operating budget of less than $250,000); the two large organizations (annual operating budget of more than $250,000) each will receive $5,000; and the winning individual will receive $2,500.

Between two voting stages that narrowed the field to 15 finalists, nearly 87,000 online votes were received from the public. All nominees were posted on www.IverCare.com with a short description of their efforts for the public to vote. The top five finalists in each category were posted on the Web site during September 2003 for the public to vote for the winners.

Small organization category winner:

The mission of the Ozland Horse Rescue is to provide a home and loving care for abused and neglected horses. OHR provides education and training in proper horse care to the local 4-H Club and horse owners. It does all it can to put a stop to the starvation and physical abuse of horses, by whatever means necessary, such as filing charges to prosecute, which included two starvation cases this year. OHR takes in any unwanted horses that have a chance at life, and adopts out horses to homes educated in the necessary care for the particular horse.