Help Save our Horses from Slaughter
It has been nine years since the Animal Welfare Institute, initiated the national campaign to end horse slaughter for human consumption.
Hundreds of thousands horses have been cruelly slaughtered for decades, their meat destined for the fancy dining tables in upscale European and Asian restaurants, served as a delicacy.
Supported by the voices of knowledgeable horse lovers throughout the country, legislation was passed which effectively shut down the final three remaining foreign-based slaughterhouses in the United States – The “voice” of Americans was heard. While our beloved horses are no longer slaughtered for human consumption on our native soil, tens of thousands of horses continue to be slaughtered each year; every five minutes in Canada and Mexico. You can watch the counter change, as you read more facts about this brutal industry: http://www.awionline.org/legislation/horse_slaughter/
“Kill buyers” attend the sales auctions and purchase our horses by the pound, then quickly ship them out of the country. Equally upsetting are the pro-slaughter lobby groups that continue their fight to have these foreign-based closed slaughterhouses re-opened again in our country.
Pro-slaughter groups are making false claims there are not enough rescue organizations or foster homes available to care for the "vast" number of unwanted horses. In fact, so-called "unwanted horses" are not unwanted. Pro-slaughter groups are making false claims there are not enough rescue organizations or foster homes available to care for the "vast" number of these horses. In fact, so-called "unwanted horses" are not unwanted. This is propaganda. The truth is, they are just for sale.
Pro-slaughter groups maintain the opinion that "horse slaughter provides a humane, federally regulated and cost-effective option for owners of sick, old, or dangerous horses," which is simply not true. In fact, many of the horses that are shipped thousands of miles under deplorable conditions are healthy, young horses, pregnant mares, and those with foals at their side. The “vast” majority of these horses can be rehabilitated and retrained. They get to receive a chance for a meaningful and productive life. According to USDA statistics, over 92% of horses slaughtered are in good or perfect condition. This makes this rampant practice of horse slaughter completely unacceptable.
Pure Thoughts, Inc. and Angels Acres Horse Haven Rescue, Inc., both 501 c 3 non-profit organizations, are just two of many dedicated rescue organizations that attend the same auctions as the killer buyers. They outbid the kill buyer and save many horses, taking them to their facilities. They evaluate, treat and rehabilitate them, and ultimately place them through adoption into forever loving homes; many just like yours. Several of these horses, in fact, have been incorporated into Therapeutic Horseback Riding programs as faithful and trustworthy mounts. Several have been shown successfully. Moreover, several are faithful, loving companions of the people in America who know their worth.
Rally and Sunny: Two horses successfully rescued by Pure Thoughts, Inc.
Mattie: One special horse with a new lease on life: Rescued by Angel Acres Horse Haven Rescue, Inc.
Mattie is a special horse to me. Together with another gal’s help, she and I are now his “virtual” sponsors. The regular donations that we send help defray the cost of his special farrier care. Becoming a sponsor or virtual “adopter” is an easy way to help support horse rescue groups.
We can help! Our voices are powerful! Let’s take action and finally put an end to this merciless, ruthless practice. A bipartisan coalition of lawmakers introduced legislation to ban the slaughter of American horses for human consumption overseas, as well as the export of American horses to other countries for slaughter.
House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers (D-Mich.) and Rep. Dan Burton (R-Ind.) introduced the bill, H.R. 6598, known as the Conyers-Burton Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2008.
Read more about it at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c110:H.R.6598:
While the bill was postponed in preference for other urgent business, the support in Washington is growing rapidly in the House, as more co-sponsors continue to sign onto Bill HR6598!
You can help by contacting members of this Committee immediately, asking them to "get on with it"; and take positive action to swiftly pass this bill. Ask if they are a co-sponsor, and if not, to consider becoming one. Please also call your Congress representatives and urge them to support and co-sponsor this very important bill.
Contact information For the House Judiciary Committee:
http://judiciary.house.gov/about/members.html
Thank you so much for helping the American Horse. How many American horses must die in a brutal, terrifying manner before Congress acts?
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Comments (9)
Vicki September 23, 2008 5:52 PM
We must do whatever we can to stop horse slaughter. I know I will be contacting judicial offices and asking them for support.
Jo Deibel September 23, 2008 11:15 PM
Thank you for helping us get the word out about slaughter, a brutal and horrific practice that must be stopped. We are hoping that it comes to an end soon. One more horse being slaughtered, is one too many.
Jo Deibel
Jo Deibel
President/Director
Angel Acres Horse Haven Rescue, Inc.
www.saveahorsenow.com
PO Box 62
Glenville, PA 17329
Phone: 717-965-7901
Fax: 866-892-5069
Jo Singer September 24, 2008 7:58 AM
Important UPDATE!
IMPORTANT UPDATE -
HR6598 passed out of Judiciary Committee with one amendment that sounded fair!
More details will follow soon on how to proceed as soon as we get information from DC.
We do make a difference with our horses! Thanks to everyone who took action. Can't wait for an update on this crucial bill!
Cheryl G September 24, 2008 11:18 AM
Great Article!! I haven't been working on HS as much as I should since my dog passed, but I have been doing a bit here & there, sending emails & signing petitions etc...
I just Love Mattie- what a BEAUTIFUL photo of her! :>)
I'm actually friends with Jo (Angel Acres) on my space and there are LOTS of very legitimate rescue organizations on my space. Jo D. is one that I try to donate to when I can, since I know her through our Barbaro days.
rc September 24, 2008 6:05 PM
I see so much abuse living in our area due to the price of feed, vets, farriers, fly spray, wormers, etc.(so are THEIR excuses) Even the horse rescue places are telling the public they can no longer take any more! When a person takes on the responsibility of a horse know a horse IS FOR LIFE! If you CANNOT make that commentment then don't damn those who are taking them away to be slaughtered! Stop the breeding or at least slow down the breeding. Horses are not being used for recreation, eyt alone work as they once were. Our area was filled with rodeo's, shows, gymcantaaa's, etc. We are a country town but NOW we have only 2 families compete in the out of town Jr. rodeos. Our County Fair is another cry that life we once knew is dying. Then there are those who love their horses and are 'horse wisperers.' LOL! They are the ones who are boasting that their horse that was ill forever 'passed in it's sleep!' And it suffered for HOW LONG! Feed them from once to maybe twice a day when they ARE grazing animals! And they aren't fed suppliments, vitamins, maybe given only grass hay when they are in a area that needs more, etc. The have gapping holes in their faces as the owner refuses to buy the 'good stuff in the yellow bottle' for flies and although they prefer the cheap stuff the horses suffer. No fly bonnets! Call somebody for helping them? Again our horse facilities that does this can NO longer take in any more. And the livestock inspector doesn't even exist in our area!.... Take a 2X4 with a nail to hit the horse to get it to load into a trailer and then have to stitch it up. A known 'horse trainer' in our area uses these antics. I cry for the horses as they ARE BEING STARVED, NEGLECTED, HURT AND ABUSED. But they can be ranch horses, backyard horses or those at a riding stable. We need to do something about educating people on how to care for horses and slow down the breeding! They aren't really just an animal. They truly love their woners and will make a bond in your life to last forever! With some of what I have seen in my life I can't help but wonder though who may be worse for the unfortunate horses. So pleas adopt your next horse from a horse rescue and if you can't do that then donate to them! It is terrible at what they go through to be slaughtered, it breaks my heart. But so does alot of horse owners!
Amy September 25, 2008 5:46 AM
These animals should allowed to live out theirs lives in peace, and not on the tables of people in foreign countries.
BonnyBeall September 25, 2008 7:34 AM
This is the last push in this congressional session to finally end horse slaughter!!
If this bill doesnât pass now, we will have to start all over again in January 2009!
H.R. 6598, the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act, passed the House Judiciary Committee today (by a voice vote) and we have very little time to help move this bill through the legislative process. We URGENTLYneed to build up the co-sponsorship list of H.R. 6598, which currently has 100 co-sponsors. Time is RUNNING OUT for Members to co-sponsor this bill! Click here to see if your U.S. Representative is a co-sponsor of H.R. 6598.
Please let your Representative know that you are a constituent and that you want your Representative to co-sponsor H.R. 6598, the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act.
Please call now! Call until the bill is passed! Together, we can end the slaughter! Thank you so much!!!
rc September 26, 2008 1:45 PM
We do make a differnce for these horses. Now we have allowed them to die even worse deaths as some people WILL NOT put money into vet bills or putting their horse down. Unfortunately we need these places. If their isn't the slaugter houses these horses die even a worse death! I have loved horses all of my life and to see what is happening to them makes me cry! I think it is terrible but nobody can save all of these horses that are unwanted! Many are being allowed to live terrible lives until they just colapse to their death! There needs to be an answer here. Where are all of these unwanted horses coming from? Shouldn't we as humans put the blame where it belongs and educate, slow down the breeding, etc? Horses are forever! My heart5 cries as I have seen the terrible treatment some are given now that these idiots have no place to put their horses out of their misery. People are cheap and think an animal can just die in it's sleep and had no pain in doing so!(in fact the next person that tells you their pet dies in it's sleep you can tell them the truth...they need it!) We need to address the true issues as to WHY are there so MANY UNWANTED horses! And why if you breed why aren't you keeping that horse? Yet I give thanks for the older cowboy who bred my latest 2.(yet those were different times) I also keep them until the end. My vets all marvel about how we know it is the right time with our 'kids'. It is called responsibility but now not too many people have compassion or resonsibility anymore. It was fun at the time! So I would like a answer as to why there are so many unwanted horses! Don't you think we need to educate the ones really causing the most harm? No unwanted horses no idiots serving them at their dinner table! I find the human race quite sad myself! These animals have souls!
anonomus July 8, 2009 10:25 PM
i want to have an equine rescue sanctuary. ilove horses with all my heart and i'm diying to own at least 2 wonderful mares. i love to barrel race and watch the barrel comp.'s. i'm still a teen yet but want 4H horses. i stop to watcth somone riding at a canter or gallop because i find it magnificent in an unkown way or reason but that is how i see it, absolutly fabulous to watch a horse move in such an overwelmingly beautiful manner so to speak. im 100% cowgrirl. im known to spoil animals,and treat them as you would treat a baby/kid.
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