Governor urged to aid

Texas ranchers, dying horses

More than 1,000 people have joined a campaign on Change.org urging Texas Gov. Rick Perry to use state funds to alleviate the drought's negative impact on small ranchers and farm animals.

Bob Williams, founder of the Texas-based animal rescue organization Ranch Hand Rescue, launched the online campaign on Change.org, the world's fastest-growing platform for social change. Williams has received a record number of requests to care for horses, cattle and other farm animals as a result of the Texas drought, which has caused a major hay scarcity in the state.

"We desperately need to raise awareness about this issue," said Williams. "Hay prices continue to climb, and much of the hay that's being brought into Texas is of poor quality. We know Gov. Perry is a good man, and we want to work with his team to develop a plan to make sure we help our ranchers and farm animals."

The drought has caused the price of hay to nearly quadruple in recent months, leading small ranchers and farmers, already struggling in a down economy, to sell off large portions of their herds or give them to farm rescue organizations like Williams'. Some horses and cattle have starved to death because of the lack of hay, and conditions are expected to worsen. Williams is asking Gov. Perry to use state funds to truck in hay from other states into Texas.

"Bob Williams is standing up and taking action for what he believes in," said Change.org Senior Organizer Sarah Parsons. "Clearly, farmers, ranchers and concerned citizens across the state agree with him. Change.org is about empowering anyone, anywhere, to start campaigns on issues they care about, and Bob's campaign is a perfect example of that."

State Climatologist John Nielson-Gammon recently declared Texas' ongoing drought to be the state's worst one-year drought on record. Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration indicates that the drought will likely persist through the winter.

To view the petition, visit http://www.change.org/petitions/governor-perry-save-our-starving-farm-animals.