“Astrid” Expected to Need Months of Recovery Time Before Being Ready for Adoption
Methuen, Mass., March 24, 2025 – A nearly two-year-old Percheron filly is recuperating in the care of the MSPCA-Angell after being surrendered in dire need of medical attention, the organization announced today.
“Astrid” was surrendered on March 7 by her owner in Franklin County as part of an ongoing MSPCA Law Enforcement case. MSPCA officers are continuing to investigate the circumstances that led to Astrid being found in this condition.
“We were called to the scene because Astrid had been down for at least several days,” explained Kaycie McCarthy, MSPCA-Angell equine and farm animal outreach and rescue manager. “It was clear even before we got her back on her feet that something was wrong.”
After helping get Astrid up, the MSPCA-Angell team brought her to the Hospital for Large Animals at Tufts University’s Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine for immediate treatment.
“She needed hospitalization and advanced diagnostics that we’re not able to provide at the farm,” McCarthy said. “When Astrid was examined, it was clear that she was emaciated, and there were sores on her body, which is something that often happens when horses are down for a prolonged period of time.”
Astrid is also being treated for pneumonia and parasites.
A Long Road to Recovery
“Astrid needed a lot of time in the hospital. She’s been so weak that the Tufts team is using straps to help her get up when she’s done resting, because she doesn’t quite have the strength to do it herself,” McCarthy elaborated. “We believe she’ll be strong enough to move to Nevins this week, but it’ll be months before she’s ready to start looking for a new home.”
“Astrid will need to be on a refeeding plan for a long time to get her to a healthy weight, and we’ll work on socializing her at the farm, but young animals are resilient,” added McCarthy. “So, we’re hoping to get her into a new home as soon as her body is healed enough.”
McCarthy estimates that Astrid’s recovery will take several months, at which point the MSPCA-Angell will begin looking for adopters.
“We don’t know much about her personality yet, as we’re still getting to know each other, but we’re confident that she’ll make a great addition to the right home whenever she’s able to find it.”
The MSPCA-Angell will post updates on Astrid’s healing journey on its social media pages. Those who would like to donate to help offset the cost of caring for her are asked to do so at mspca.org/donate.
