{"id":8154,"date":"2024-09-11T08:54:56","date_gmt":"2024-09-11T06:54:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/refuge-de-darwyn.ch\/the-association\/our-association\/history\/"},"modified":"2025-03-03T08:20:34","modified_gmt":"2025-03-03T07:20:34","slug":"history","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/refuge-de-darwyn.ch\/en\/the-association\/our-association\/history\/","title":{"rendered":"History"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Refuge milestones<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Since its creation in 2000, Darwyn’s Refuge has come a long way in gaining recognition from its peers and various institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the road, we have of course welcomed many equines, sometimes during exceptional actions, such as the 39 Mivido horses collected in 2020<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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February 17, 2000<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Official creation of Darwyn’s Refuge,<\/strong> an association for abused horses.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n

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February 2001<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Move to S\u00e9zegnin<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n

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2002<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Le Refuge receives the Cuneo Prize<\/strong> from the Geneva SPA.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n

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October 1, 2004<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Le Refuge moves to S\u00e9zenove<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n

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2006<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Le Refuge receives the Geneva Veterinary Award<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n

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2007<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Refuge has taken in19 horses and 13 donkeys<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n

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2008<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Wholesale rescue of 15 horses tied up in appalling conditions, without food for days and without water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Savoie Department of Veterinary Services lodged a complaint against the owner, and the Court ordered that the fifteen horses be sequestered and entrusted to the protection of Darwyn’s Refuge while the case was heard.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n

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2009<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The 15 horses sequestered in March 2008 were entrusted to the Refuge by the public prosecutor in April 2009.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In five months, 12 horses have been placed in new families.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n

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2010<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Darwyn’s Refuge is celebrating its 10th anniversary and is recognized as a section of the PSA (Swiss Animal Protection).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 4-day celebrations to mark the Refuge’s 10th anniversary were a great success. Gala dinner with shows, entertainment for young and old, presentation of the horses, flat-screen presentation of the Refuge’s 10th anniversary… The Refuge’s mission is recognized! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sequestration of 11 mares kept in a dark old cow shed, too small for 11 horses, and on 80 cm of manure. What’s more, they rarely went outside. We recovered these mares in a very poor psychological state. They had never been socialized. <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n

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2012<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After 12 years of struggle, all the cantonal veterinarians in French-speaking Switzerland recognize the work of the Refuge and believe in its action.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Refuge was called in by the relevant authorities for 2 major sequestrations following abuse. In 6 months, 17 horses were sequestered at the Refuge pending final removal or improvements to the facilities to return the animals to their owners, only 5 will be returned to the owner.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n

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2013<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Admissions explode: 40 horses taken in.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

90% come from abuse problems, the rest from financial problems. Also, 9 horses were returned from foster care (3 will be rehomed in 2013).<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n

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2015<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

15 years of Le Refuge & Passe-moi les Jumelles<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4 days of festivities, with a gala dinner-show for 180 guests,
3 shows by Jean-Fran\u00e7ois Pignon, 2 full days of shows, demonstrations and presentation of the Refuge’s activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In all, some 3,500 people enjoyed our party, and we were also able to thank everyone who has supported us over the years, including our loyal donors and volunteers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In terms of media coverage, our appearance on the RTS program “Passe-moi les jumelles”<\/a> had an incredible impact nationwide. The show was a huge success, and viewers were touched and deeply affected. We saw an increase in membership in the months following the show.  <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n

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2016<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The motto of the year was “Prevention” for both owners and professionals.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To the latter, we remind you that it is their responsibility to ensure that the horse has a “dignified” life. Breeding must be carried out in a controlled manner, not on an amateur basis. Too many horses end their lives in dramatic conditions . <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n

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2017<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

More and more horses.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n