Nine horses seized because they were neglected and malnourished are recovering and have been placed in foster homes until they can be released for adoption, Nevada County officials said Thursday.

They are among a herd of 10 unique and valuable Gypsy horses seized recently by Nevada County Animal Control officers. The Orion Lane owners had bought the equines as an investment for their retirement, but lost their business and their house, said county Animal Control Sgt. Shirley Falls.

One horse had to be euthanized, Falls said — grim fallout of the continuing recession.

The owners “had given up, but it's the animals that suffer,” Falls said.

Animal rescue organization Sammie's Friends stepped in to help pay for the veterinary care, said founder Cheryl Wicks.

“The (owner) had no money,” Wicks added.

Trimming the horses' overgrown hooves cost about $400, even with a huge discount from the farrier, Wicks said.

Unemployment in Nevada County continues in the double digits and foreclosures have formed a large portion of housing sales. In such an economy, officials see an increase in abandoned animals and a decrease in adoptions at the county animal shelter, Falls said.

“We are seeing a lot of starving dogs roaming around,” possibly pets that have been abandoned after their owners move, she said.

The county does charge a $15 turn-in fee, but Falls said she would rather waive the fee than see animals starve.

And plenty of rescue organizations in the county can provide financial help to pet owners, Falls stressed.

“Just call us,” she said. “Don't let it get to that point.”

Wicks estimated she gets as many as 30 calls a day from financially strapped pet lovers.

“It's definitely a reflection of the economy,” Wicks said. “Sometimes, they don't even have gas money to get to the vet. ... If we weren't here, I don't know what would happen to these animals.”

To contact Staff Writer Liz Kellar, e-mail lkellar@theunion.com or call (530)

477-4229.