Volunteer Equine Advocates (VEA), a horse rescue in Sumner County, Tennessee, has secured a permanent home after receiving a $200,000 anonymous donation to purchase a 14.5-acre farm in Gallatin, where they had been operating rent-free since 2013. This acquisition allows VEA to plan major upgrades to double their capacity for rescuing horses, primarily working with law enforcement to rehabilitate animals from neglect and abandonment cases. Since its founding in 2003, VEA has helped over 1,800 equines and aims to continue its mission long-term with the new property.

The expanded facility comes at a crucial time as Tennessee lawmakers consider HB 2263, a bill that would make livestock starvation a felony, potentially increasing the need for rescues like VEA. Volunteers like Jennifer Carpenter emphasize the mutual benefits of their work, noting how caring for the horses has been personally rewarding. VEA plans to launch a fundraising campaign to support the farm’s upgrades and ongoing care for the horses.