NetPosse Advocate Goes the Extra Mile: Championing NetPosse Awareness

24 June 2024

We express our deepest gratitude to Marcia Rousonelos from Illinois for her remarkable dedication to raising awareness of Stolen Horse International- NetPosse related issues and missing horses. Her involvement in setting up a table at the Will County Trail Riders Horse Show in New Lenox, Illinois has had a significant impact on our mission.

In March, Rousonelos reached out to Stolen Horse International founder Debi Metcalfe to seek advice on organizing a booth at horse events.

"Seeking some guidance. I am planning to sponsor Stolen Horse International at the June horse show. I have a table with printed materials from your website. I am aiming to secure a table at the Midwest Horse Fair, which attracts approximately 60,000 people over four days. The cost of obtaining a table is substantial, so I want to ensure it is worthwhile. Do you have any suggestions on how I can engage people and encourage them to stop by and inquire?"

Metcalfe replied, "It can be challenging to pique interest in something that most horse owners believe seldom occurs and would never happen to them. Welcome to my world.

"It is not every day that someone steps forward to promote our mission work and the stories of our victims," Metcalfe remarked.

"Rousonelos is not only a victim in search of three of her four stolen horses, but she has also actively endorsed our cause, even arranging for me to speak at an event in Illinois two years ago. I am profoundly grateful to her in numerous ways."

Rousonelos performed admirably at the horse show! She provided Metcalfe with an update following the event.

"The horse show went really well. I had a banner made, as you suggested. I distributed printed copies of your story and information about Stolen Horse International that I obtained from your website to the attendees."

"I was pleasantly surprised when a candidate for the Illinois senate made an appearance. She took some pictures of the flyers, which she shared on her Facebook page. I thought you might want to take a look. Her name is Samantha Gasca."

Rousonelos became a victim when a man absconded with four of her horses while she was in the hospital. One of the horses, Dixie, was later recovered, but the whereabouts of the other three, Mugshot, Cisco, and Jet, remain unknown.

The individual who sold the horses received a four-day jail sentence, 40 hours of community service, and a $10,000 fine. He never disclosed the whereabouts of the horses to Rousonelos.

"Many of our victims actively seek their missing or stolen horses. Some share their stories with us and then disappear. However, others, like Rousonelos, persistently endeavor to piece together their stolen lives. Please print a flyer for her and display it everywhere."

Review all missing and stolen Ilinois horses by clicking on the SEARCH tab and REPORT SEARCH. Type IL into the search feature.

Rousonelos set up a table to promote awareness of the missing
and stolen horses in Ilinois, and to raise awareness for
Stolen Horse International, NetPosse.

store/news/4110/gasca post.JPG

Click the above image to see Gasca's posts on Facebook.

store/news/4110/have_you_seen_us.jpg

Stolen Horse International provides news and other resources for free on this website. As a charitable organization we survive on the kindness of people like you. Please consider donating to help fund the organization or purchasing a NetPosse ID for your horse, dog or cat to help protect your beloved animals!
Donate Buy NetPosse ID