ASPCA Equine Fund Awards 1,000th Grant

NEW YORK—The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) today announced the 1,000^th equine grant awarded by the ASPCA Equine Fund. The $5,000 award went to Equestrian Inc. in Tampa, Fla. and will be used to repair the roof of its feed room, which was destroyed during a storm in May.

“Thanks to the generosity of the ASPCA’s supporters and equine advocates alike, the ASPCA Equine Fund has grown significantly over the years, providing much-needed funding and resources to hundreds of equine rescues and sanctuaries across the country,” said Jacque Schultz, senior director of the ASPCA Equine Fund. “The ASPCA is happy to assist Equestrian Inc. with its tireless efforts to protect and care for homeless horses, and we thank its leaders and volunteers for their commitment to equine protection.”

“When a Memorial Day storm destroyed our feed room, we lost $4,000 in grain and hay and we were in trouble,” said Glenda Smith, founder of Equestrian Inc. “While we have been in existence for over 28 years, we are still a small rescue, so when the ASPCA learned of our dilemma, the Equine Fund came to our aid. The ASPCA’s commitment to animals in need will allow us to rebuild our feed room, and Equestrian Inc. is deeply honored to be the proud recipient of the ASPCA Equine Fund’s 1,000^th grant.”

The ASPCA Equine Fund provides life-saving resources – including financial help, consultation, in-person and online training, and sharing of best practices -- to non-profit equine welfare organizations in the U.S. The program began in 1996 as the Lucky Fund, a small grant program distributing up to $125,000 annually to help the discarded foals of the pregnant mare urine (PMU) industry with some additional support for wild horses and rescues facing emergencies. The fund has continued to grow each year, and in 2013 the ASPCA awarded $1.4 million in grants to support equine rescues and sanctuaries in 43 states and the District of Columbia. Since 2008, the ASPCA Equine Fund has awarded a total of approximately $5.5 million to over 450 organizations.

“Equine protection has always been a central part of the ASPCA’s mission to be a voice for animals, and we feel so fortunate to be able to fund critical programs that save horses’ lives,” said Schultz. “We thank the equine rescues and sanctuaries -- many of whom volunteer their time -- for the crucial hands-on work that they do every day, and we look forward to the next 1,000 grants that will provide rescues with the necessary resources to help the horses in their care not merely survive, but thrive.”

The ASPCA has an extensive history of equine protection around the country and continues to assist domestic and wild horses through legislation, advocacy and targeted grants. To learn more about the ASPCA, please visit www.aspca.org.