Casey Montana Runs Georgia Farm Rescuing Horses From Kill Pens

Casey Montana operates War Angel Farms in Canton, Georgia, a 100-acre property dedicated to saving animals from slaughter. The farm primarily rescues horses from kill pens in Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. These facilities sometimes serve as holding areas where dealers send purchased horses for processing before they cross the border for slaughter.

Rumor arrived at the farm in a state of severe malnourishment and pregnancy. She had been a racing quarter horse, a fact Montana confirmed by tracing a tattoo on the animal's lip. This discovery illustrated that any type of horse can end up in a kill pen. Another foal, Birdie, was born the night her mother was dropped off at such a facility. Birdie arrived at the farm five days old and required three months of medication to recover from respiratory and immune system issues.

The rescue mission extends to other species. The farm currently houses goats, pigs, and donkeys. It also cares for Ringo, an 80-pound African spurred tortoise that traveled to Georgia from a New York rescue. Montana notes that the tortoise is intelligent and walks alongside her, though she often transports it in a wheelbarrow due to its weight.

War Angel Farms also provides a workspace for people. The facility partners with individuals facing addiction, mental health challenges, and veterans. It also accepts people convicted of DUI offenses who need to complete community service hours. This dual focus allows the farm to connect humans with animals in a therapeutic setting.

Montana began her rescue work a decade ago after purchasing a horse named Mr. Bojangles from a kill pen. He died three months later, an event that motivated her to continue the work. The farm's infrastructure was built with the help of her father, a Vietnam Marine. He constructed the roads, fences, and pastures. Montana credits him with teaching her that farm life requires resilience and a large heart.

Recent images of wild horse roundups in the West have renewed public interest in the fate of these animals. The Bureau of Land Management planned to gather more than 14,500 wild horses and burros in fiscal year 2026. The agency states that these gathers protect herd health and public rangelands. Advocates worry that government-sold horses might be resold for slaughter, though the BLM says it does not sell or send horses to slaughter directly. Montana’s farm continues to accept animals from this pipeline, with the most recent arrival being Rumor.

Montana describes the work as a source of healing for both the animals and the people involved. She recalls her father’s perspective on the property, noting that it was his heaven on earth. She believes he would be proud to see how the operation has grown since his passing.