ASPCA Grants Over $1.1 Million to Equine Groups in 2014 to Protect Horses

NEW YORK—The ASPCA^® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) today announced that in 2014 its Equine Fund awarded over $1.1 million in grants to support 169 equine rescues and sanctuaries across the country. The grant money supported several areas of equine welfare including emergency food grants, training scholarships, a new nationwide contest held on ASPCA Help a Horse Day, and the Rescuing Racers Initiative, which aids in the rescue and rehabilitation of retired racehorses to save them from slaughter.

“Racehorses are just as susceptible as other horses to being sent to livestock auctions and then on to the slaughterhouse, when their racing days are over,” said Jacque Schultz, senior director of the ASPCA Equine Fund. “The ASPCA is grateful to our special supporters who enable us to keep these horses safe by providing assistance to equine rescues who transition ex-racers out of the racing stable and into new homes in someone’s show barn or farm paddock.”

In 2014, more than 80 equine rescue groups held events across 32 states to raise awareness about equine protection for ASPCA Help a Horse Day, celebrated annually on April 26 – a date chosen for its significance to the ASPCA’s long history of horse protection. In 1866, ASPCA founder Henry Bergh stopped a cart driver from beating his horse, resulting in the first successful arrest for horse mistreatment on April 26 of that year. The protection of horses has remained a core part of the ASPCA’s mission ever since, including legislation, advocacy, rescue and targeted grants.

“We were overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and creativity of the equine rescue groups that participated in the first ASPCA Help a Horse Day celebration contest,” said Schultz. “We continue to be inspired by their year-round commitment to equine welfare and we can’t wait to see what new ideas they come up with in 2015 to further protect horses.”

California, the state with the largest number of equine rescues and sanctuaries, as well as some of the nation’s highest hay costs, led the ASPCA Equine Fund grant recipients with 35 grants. New York followed in second place with 11 grants, while Oregon, Florida and Kentucky were all tied with 10 grants each.

The ASPCA Equine Fund provides grants to non-profit, U.S. equine welfare organizations who work to rescue and protect horses. The grants benefit equine organizations striving to achieve best practices both in nonprofit management and equine care.

To learn more about the ASPCA Equine Fund and 2014 grantees, visit www.aspcapro.org.