Outfitted in the colors of Mardi Gras, the horses that strut down Canal Street are the real kings and queens of the Krewe.
But after the season is done, so are the horses. Often going back into a trade where their future is uncertain.
That’s when Jeff Dorson, head of the Humane Society of Louisiana, stepped in to put the horses up for adoption.
This year, twenty were in need of homes.
“This whole trading was taking place,” Dodson said.
“Without the public knowing it, without us knowing it. So we listened and we thought, well what can we do.”
Partnered with cascade stables, Dorson took to the media at large to get the word out.
Allison Lee, a prospective adopter and founder of Barney’s Farm Sanctuary , said it was important for the horses to go to happy retirement homes.
“This is a great program that they have here,” Lee said.
“Adopting horses that otherwise may end up in difficult situations after the Mardi Gras season.”
Fifteen of the horses have been adopted so far; however, five are still in need of help.
To this, Dorson only has one thing to say: 
“Help us. 
“Worst case scenario, they’ll be put into foster homes and we’ll just keep working it.”