From Stolen Mare to National Movement

Debi Metcalfe: The Shelby Resident Who Built a National Network to Bring Missing Horses Home

Debi Metcalfe, a resident of Shelby, North Carolina, is widely recognized for her extraordinary dedication and pioneering work in reuniting lost horses with their owners. Her most significant accomplishment is the founding of Stolen Horse International, also known as NetPosse.com, in 1998.

Metcalfe's journey began after her own horse, Idaho, was stolen. The frustrating, often fruitless search process she experienced highlighted a critical resource gap for owners of stolen or missing horses. Driven by this personal ordeal, she established NetPosse.com as a centralized online platform to alert the equestrian community, law enforcement, and the public about missing horses. The organization quickly grew into a vital network, leveraging the power of the internet and social media to rapidly and widely disseminate information.

Under Metcalfe's leadership, NetPosse.com has evolved into a comprehensive resource that offers not just alerts but also educational materials, prevention tips, and support for victims. Her relentless advocacy has brought national attention to the issue of horse theft and loss, influencing changes in reporting procedures and fostering greater collaboration among various agencies. Through her tireless efforts, thousands of horses have been successfully recovered and returned to their rightful owners, bringing immense relief to countless families.

Debi Metcalfe's work is a testament to her unwavering commitment to animal welfare and her innovative use of technology to solve a persistent problem within the equine community. Her accomplishments extend beyond mere statistics; she has built a compassionate community and provided hope where there was once despair, all from her base in Shelby, NC.