Sadie Mae, the most severely neglected of four horses brought into protective custody to the Humane Society of Ventura County’s Ojai shelter in September, is showing marked improvement.

HSVC Shelter Director Jolene Hoffman reports that the mare rescued from a Fillmore ranch has gained 63 pounds in three weeks but is still about 340 pounds underweight.

“Sadie Mae is doing really well, she has more energy, but she’s still extremely emaciated,” Hoffman said. “She has a long, long way to go.”

Hoffman said she and HSVC staff appreciate the ongoing financial support and interest shown in Sadie Mae’s recovery by the public. As a result, Hoffman said, the Ojai-based nonprofit will be posting weekly updates and pictures of her on its Facebook page.

Sadie Mae’s recovery could take another eight months, Hoffman said, so the HSVC is still seeking donations to cover the extreme cost to feed as well as provide medical and farrier care for her and the other three neglected horses housed at the shelter. It also is accepting gift cards to feed stores.

Donations may be brought to the Humane Society shelter at 402 Bryant Street in Ojai or sent to PO Box 297, Ojai, CA93024. For more information, call (805) 656-5031, or visit www.hsvc.org.

The Humane Society of Ventura County is a private, nonprofit organization founded in 1932. It does not receive federal, state or local tax dollars to operate and relies solely on private donations.