Letter from NetPosse Founder Debi Metcalfe

To my victims, volunteers, supporters, and equine community,

I want to share an important change regarding my work at Stolen Horse International-NetPosse. After 29 years of providing real-time and after-hours missing horse care, I have made the difficult decision to step back from the exhausting 12-to-15-hour days of volunteering my services with this organization.

This was not an easy choice. For nearly three decades, Stolen Horse International has been the only organization in the United States available 24/7. We are ground zero when it comes to anything on the internet about stolen and missing horses, having issued the very first stolen horse alert in the USA back in 1997. For nearly three decades, everyone in this space has followed our lead and the education we have provided.

For those who have never volunteered around an on-call schedule, it is difficult to explain what that actually looks like. It means never knowing when the workday will end. Over the years, it has meant leaving dinner, getting out of bed in the middle of the night, changing family plans, and missing milestones. Almost every single day, I am up in the early morning hours by 4:00 or 5:00 AM to work on a brand-new missing horse alert, and I am often still sitting at the computer until 5:00 or 6:00 PM in the evening—only to then execute a full day of answering questions, following up on tags, and tracking comments.

On top of that, serving as the President means managing endless administrative duties. I have to pay the bills, write articles, consult with victims, do interviews, prepare all the graphics and videos, and fundraise—the one thing in life I truly hate because I absolutely despise begging for money.

These administrative tasks seem to take up more and more of my time year after year. Too often, people mistakenly think of us as "just" another social media group posting on Facebook or other platforms. Nothing could be further from the truth. We are a fully operational nonprofit business that achieves monumental goals and commands a massive reach, built entirely on our years of experience, dedication to bringing horses home, and commitment to providing vital education to the equine world, none of which would be possible without donations, report fees, and volunteers. 

I deeply wish I could spend all of my time working directly with victims, but unfortunately, I can't if this nonprofit is to continue running as smoothly as possible. For 29 years, that balance has simply been part of being a victim first, and then the founder. 

This work is my passion; it is where my heart lives. But the harsh reality is that if I stop, there is currently no one to take my place. Who would do what Harold and I have done for free? We have never been paid a salary because if we had been, there would have been no way to sustain the nonprofit. We do not have tens of thousands of dollars, much less millions like some large equine nonprofits do. We struggle every single year just to keep the doors open.

But I am also a wife, a mother, and a grandmother. My grandchildren are growing up, and my husband, Harold, and I are getting older. At our respective ages of 72 and 87, Harold and I are both facing health issues that now desperately need to take center stage. The demanding schedule I love has required me to miss moments with my family that I cannot get back, and continuing to be available around the clock is no longer sustainable for my health or my family. I need to know that I am available for the new challenges that old age brings to our lives.

This decision does not reflect a decreased commitment to our victims, volunteers, supporters, or the equine community. Quite the opposite. Reducing my personal hours is what will allow me to continue serving with the energy, judgment, compassion, and dedication this community deserves.

However, for Stolen Horse International to continue moving forward—even with me here—we are at a critical crossroads. This 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization is currently experiencing both a severe volunteer shortage and a lack of financial stability. We are in desperate need of help in both of these areas. We must find dedicated volunteers to take on daily tasks, and we urgently need financial support to ensure our survival.

Stolen Horse International will continue to provide comprehensive missing horse care, but with fewer hours per week from me. For concerns that arise after hours, we continue to recommend that you send us a message through our main Facebook page, Stolen Horse International-NetPosse Missing and Stolen Equine.

I understand that changes in availability can be frustrating, especially when you are worried about a horse you love. But I owe this community honesty about what my tiny team of volunteers, our nonprofit organization, and I can realistically and responsibly provide.

I am incredibly grateful for the trust you have placed in me and in Stolen Horse International over the years. Caring for the NetPosse cases—and getting to know your families along the way—has been one of the great privileges of my life. I’m not going anywhere. I’m simply making a change that will allow me to show up for our victims, my equine community, and my family for the years ahead.

Thank you for your understanding, your kindness, and your continued trust. And please, if you believe in what we've done for almost three decades, make a much-needed donation through our website today. Help us continue Idaho's legacy and bring horses home for years to come. 

How You Can Help Save Stolen Horse International

If you want to ensure that our 501(c)(3) nonprofit survives and continues to bring missing horses home, we desperately need your immediate support. Here is how you can step up today:

Become a Financial Supporter. Consistent financial stability is our greatest challenge. You can make a one-time tax-deductible donation or become a monthly sponsor to help us pay the bills and keep our operations running smoothly. https://netposse.com/donate.asp 

Volunteer for Daily Administrative Tasks. We need dedicated individuals to step into administrative roles to ease the pressure. If you have skills or interest in paying bills, helping with bookkeeping, writing articles, or assisting with fundraising, we need you. https://netposse.com/article.asp?id=2435 

Join our Victim & Social Media Team. We need volunteers to help answer community questions, follow up on page tags, manage comments, and help coordinate missing horse alerts. https://netposse.com/article.asp?id=2409 

Assist with Interviews & Public Relations. If you have experience or comfort with public speaking, communications, or conducting interviews, you can help us share our victims' stories with the media. https://netposse.com/article.asp?id=2409 

If you cannot give time or money right now, please share this letter. Spreading the word within the equine community is a powerful way to help us find the donors and volunteers we so urgently need.