Tamaya Gala Raises Funds for Horse Rehabilitation and Care

The Tamaya Horse Rehabilitation Program will host its seventh annual Horseshoes & Heels Gala on November 29, 2025 at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya. The fundraiser is designed to cover veterinary care, training, shelter and feed for horses rescued and rehabilitated by the program, which is based at the Stables at Tamaya. Last year’s gala raised approximately $75,000, a sum organizers say directly supported the program’s operational needs.

The gala features a cocktail reception, silent and live auctions, a three course meal, live music and an opportunity for attendees to meet some of the program’s rescued horses. Tickets begin at $125, and table sponsorships are available. The event also includes discounted hotel room rates for attendees, and organizers offer multiple ways for the public to contribute including bale of hay donations, virtual adoptions and sponsorships. Contact information for the program is available through its published materials for those seeking more information or wishing to participate.

The Tamaya Horse Rehabilitation Program has been active for more than a decade, and its staff and volunteers have rescued and rehabilitated hundreds of horses in that time. The program’s intake has included animals from neighboring municipalities, including Farmington, reflecting a regional role in addressing equine welfare and rescue. For San Juan County residents, the gala is both a fundraising event and an opportunity to engage directly with animal welfare work that otherwise operates out of public view.

Beyond immediate fundraising, the event and the program illuminate broader policy and institutional questions about how communities meet animal welfare needs. Nonprofit rehabilitation programs often relieve pressure on municipal animal services, absorb costs of medical care and specialized training, and mobilize private philanthropy for public benefit. That dynamic can expand capacity, but it also raises questions about accountability and transparency. Local officials and nonprofit boards alike face choices about reporting standards, performance metrics and how best to coordinate with municipal services to ensure consistent care and cost effective outcomes.

Participation in the gala and related donation programs constitutes a form of civic engagement. Financial contributions and volunteer time strengthen local institutions that provide services not always covered by public budgets. For residents considering involvement, organizers recommend reviewing sponsorship options and the program’s public materials to understand how contributions will be used and how the organization measures rehabilitation outcomes.

The Tri City Record reported these details on November 13, 2025, and San Juan County residents interested in attending or supporting the Tamaya Horse Rehabilitation Program can obtain further information through the program’s published channels. The gala represents a visible moment of community support, and it underscores the ongoing need for funding and coordination in local animal welfare efforts.