The POLK EQUINE EMERGENCY RESCUE TEAM has been established to ensure large animals have an emergency medical system available to provide emergency medical treatment and transportation when necessary.
PEER’s mission is to rescue large animals from dangerous situations with minimal danger to human life and without compromise to public safety. We maintain a team of volunteers trained in large animal emergency rescue techniques who use our 2 specifically outfitted ambulances.
PEER services Polk and surrounding counties in Western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina.
PEER does not charge a fee for rescue and relies wholly on donations and sponsorships.
Our Goals:
- To effect a rescue of any large animal in distress, that has found itself in a potentially life threatening situation.
- To maintain a volunteer rescue team that has been trained in the management of specific rescue techniques, unique to the large animal, using specialized equipment. The rescue team, working with a veterinarian, will utilize safety techniques not only to prevent further injury to the animal but to prevent minimal injury to the team and without compromise to public safety.
- To assist County agencies such as the Sheriff, Local Police, Fire Departments and Animal Control as well as State Police/Highway Patrol with any emergencies involving large animals.
For more information about how you can support PEER please use our online contact form.
Polk County has over 3,000 plus resident equines, as well as numerous additional bovine and ruminant animals. As a community, we host thousands of visiting horses who participate in our varied and extensive equine activities. Please contact us for further information regarding fees for ambulance services other than rescues.
Because of these various types of equine activities and other large animal venues, the potential for devastating accidents exist. Horses and other large animals that are found in farming communities, may find themselves trapped in culverts, mud, ponds, swimming pools, barn fires and roadside accidents involving over-turned trailers.
