MERCEDES – Do you have livestock that you no longer can care for? A Rio Grande Valley cowboy says there’s a better option than abandoning them.

A Hidalgo County cowboy says he wants people to know that he is available to pick up livestock 24/7.

Teo Martinez says on Tuesday, he rescued a horse in Mercedes.

He tells CHANNEL 5 NEWS since 1996, he’s made himself available to all livestock owners in Hidalgo County who no longer can care for livestock.

He says he wants people to call him before they think of abandoning an animal.

“Most police departments have my number and sometimes they call to the sheriff and give me number. And I talk to the people and they explain to me what they want and to do with the animal and we make an arrangement to do it,” said Martinez.

Martinez says he is now serving parts of Cameron and Willacy counties as well. He then cares for them and finds them a new home.

When asked why he does what he decided to make himself so available to help save livestock, he said he does for one reason. He loves animals.