On February 4th, 2025, the Ontario Provincial Police alerted Animal Welfare Services (AWS) about the dire conditions of Stephanie Redlick’s horses.

Reports described a heartbreaking scene—water troughs left empty, buckets filled only with ice, horses without shelter, and emaciated animals forced to pick through their own piled-up manure in search of food.

Despite the urgency of the situation, AWS did not visit the property for the first time until February 12th.  

Yes, really — it took 8 days for officers to check on the horses for the first time.

Even more alarming, the horses were not removed until February 20th—16 days after the initial report—raising serious concerns about AWS’s effectiveness and accountability.

Advocates are now calling for a protest to demand urgent reforms and ensure that no animal endures such unnecessary suffering in the future.

(Scroll down for protest details and how to help advocate for change, no matter where in the world you live.)

Congratulations and heartfelt thanks to everyone who called and wrote to advocate for the horses suffering under Stephanie Redlick’s neglect in Ontario, Canada.

Your efforts made a difference—Animal Welfare Services (AWS) officers returned to the property ahead of schedule.

Yesterday, February 19, 2025, not only did AWS return, but this time veterinarians were brought in for a more thorough inspection.

Today, it has been announced that all 16 remaining horses have been seized by Animal Welfare Services.

This follows Redlick’s earlier surrender of four severely malnourished horses — one of whom was in such dire condition that humane euthanasia was the only option.

We also want to extend our deepest gratitude to Crystal and Jason Mitchell, Summer (Mitchell) Secord, Celia Carletti, Jim Horne, and Darah Lee for their hands-on care of the four emaciated horses Redlick relinquished.

A special thank you to Mr. Corey Warren, who took on the responsibility of caring for the 16 horses that Redlick effectively abandoned after being barred from the property for failing to pay rent.

A special thank you to Monika Rekola for her work in reporting on this situation, and helping to bring awareness and understanding to the broader community.

We are deeply grateful to the board of the Horse Rescue Fund for helping cover some of the costs associated with the care of the four relinquished horses, as well as to everyone who generously donated to support their well-being.

But this fight is far from over.

We will not forget what happened here, and we will not allow Animal Welfare Services to escape accountability.

It took far too long for them to respond, despite clear signs of suffering.

The conditions were appalling—no water, no salt, no feed, and no shelter for the majority of the emaciated horses.

These animals should have been seized long before now.

That’s why we are taking action and asking others to join us in calling and emailing those who can bring about change.  Please see the call to action below.  We need your voices now more than ever.