An abandoned foal is showing encouraging signs of recovery as an appeal to raise vital funds to pay for his care has already raised more than £3,000.

East Anglian Daily Times: Gizmo the foal was abandoned by the roadside and is now making his recovery at Catley Cross Veterinary Clinic. The tiger toy was donated by a clinic client.Gizmo the foal was abandoned by the roadside and is now making his recovery at Catley Cross Veterinary Clinic. The tiger toy was donated by a clinic client. (Image: Archant)

Gizmo, a four-month-old foal, was found by the side of Yeldham Road in Ridgewell close to Ridgewell Caravan Park on Tuesday without his mother.

The piebald cob foal was severely emaciated, dehydrated, riddled with lice and suffering with pneumonia and rescued by the RSPCA, police and vets.

However staff at the Catley Cross Veterinary Centre where Gizmo is being cared for say the horse is on the road recovery.

Vet Carolyn Wyse said: “I didn’t think Gizmo would make the journey into the centre, and I did not expect him to live through the first night.

“Every morning I am very happy and suprised when he whinnies at us. He is looking a lot happier.

“Gizmo is not out of the woods, but he is improving every day and everything is very encouraging at the moment. We need him to keep trying, and we will keep trying.

“Today [Friday] he is trying to get up, and he has not quite got the strength yet but every couple of hours a team of four or five people lift him up to try and get his legs to start working again.

“He has still got a pretty bad chest and pneumonia, and the blood work is worrying, but he is now whinnying at us every time we go into the stable. He is still on a drip, but he is also eating by himself and is ravenous.”

Gizmo’s story has touched people across the region, with the centre being inundated with offers of support from the public and existing clients, with even suppliers offering free goods to help him.

A donations page set up by the RSPCA has already had 210 pledges, raising £3,097.90, within two days of the appeal being made.

It is 28% of an estimated £11,000 needed to pay for his immediate medical care and ongoing rehabilitation costs.

“We are amazed by the messages of support,” added Mrs Wyse.

“Clients have been driving 50 miles to bring him toys, people have been dropping off food and rugs, and a feed company has given us free food too.

“Sadly for every Gizmo there are another eight horses in the same situation, and often due to ongoing court cases we cannot publicise their plight. People don’t realise the extent of the issues we are having at the moment with horses, this is not an isolated case.

“In the last three years we have seen an increase, more than ever this early in the year.”

• To report any information as to who may hve dumped Gizmo call the RSPCA on 0300 123 8018.

• To donate to Gizmo’s care call 0300 123 0346 or visit his JustGiving page.