Kelly Smith, founder of Omega Horse Rescue in Airville, Pennsylvania, began her nonprofit journey through what she describes as a “divine intervention,” receiving seed money from supporters to expand her mission. For over 30 years, her organization has rescued more than 100 horses annually from auctions, kill pens, cruelty cases, and owners unable to care for them. A key focus is saving horses from slaughter, which Smith explains is a distinct issue since horses in the U.S. are not raised for meat like other livestock. Rescue efforts include intercepting horses bound for slaughter, assisting families, and collaborating with animal control.

At Omega, each horse receives individualized rehabilitation addressing medical, physical, and behavioral trauma, with careful nutritional plans tailored to their condition. Despite a small team and limited volunteers, the rescue perseveres through emotional challenges, including the loss of horses too sick to save and the personal toll on Smith, who acknowledges suffering from PTSD and the high suicide rate in animal rescue work. Nonetheless, Smith finds hope and motivation in seeing horses recover and find new homes, celebrating their fresh starts as a source of joy amid the hardships.