ASPCA to Host Adoption Event at Hampton Classic Horse Show

NEW YORK—For the eighth consecutive year, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) will partner with the Hampton Classic Horse Show to raise awareness of critical animal welfare issues and find forever homes for local shelter animals. The ASPCA will host two events during the week-long event, held in Bridgehampton from August 24-31: ASPCA Adoption & Animal Welfare Day on Monday, August 25, and the ASPCA Equine Town Hall on Friday, August 29. The Town Hall features a panel of ASPCA experts discussing important equine welfare issues to educate advocates on how they can get involved.

“The ASPCA has an extensive history of horse protection, and we are excited to share this expertise with concerned animal advocates at the Hampton Classic to help spread the word about how to help at-risk animals,” said Valerie Angeli, senior director of special projects for the ASPCA. “Our work with the Hampton Classic informs the public about critical equine welfare issues and helps find loving homes for animals in need." 

The Fifth Annual ASPCA Adoption & Animal Welfare Day on Monday, August 25, will focus on helping rescued horses, dogs and cats find permanent homes. Several local animal shelters and rescue groups will have animals on site throughout the day, including formerly wild mustangs who serve as ambassadors for wild horses. The participating groups include:

• Gimme Shelter Animal Rescue
• Ruff House Rescue
• Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons (ARF)
• Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation
• The Little Shelter in Huntington
• BeFreegle Foundation
• Project Sage Horse Rescue
• Kaeli Kramer Foundation Horse Rescue and Sanctuary
• North Shore Horse Rescue
• Rosemary Farm Sanctuary, Inc.
• Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Foundation

Hosts include NBC’s Award Winning Animal Advocate and Bestselling Author, Jill Rappaport, as well as Georgina Bloomberg, a top international rider and ASPCA Equine Welfare Ambassador. Visiting public figures and top riders will join the ASPCA throughout the week at the “ASPCA Patio and Animal Advocacy Station” located near the VIP parking and across from the public grandstand of the Grand Prix Ring. 

“As an ASPCA Equine Welfare Ambassador, I have learned about the serious threats our horses and all animals face today and I am able to make a difference by speaking out against industries that abuse animals,” said Ms. Bloomberg. “The ASPCA was the first humane organization in the country to promote equine protection, a critical element of its larger anti-cruelty mission that is carried out today through lobbying and advocacy, strategic funding for horse rescue groups, and investigations to address neglect and cruelty. The equine community at this major horse show can join us by promoting the adoption of horses and other animals and by signing up for our Advocacy Brigade to become a voice for these noble animals.”

Other highlights during the week-long event include the ‘Jump for the ASPCA’ fundraiser, sponsored by FTI Consulting, which will trigger a donation to the ASPCA Equine Fund each time a rider clears the ASPCA fence on the show grounds, and the ASPCA Equine Town Hall, presented by the ASPCA’s equine welfare experts on Friday, August 29. This town hall will address many critical issues impacting horses today, including horse slaughter, homelessness and neglect, and inspire attendees to help make a difference.

The ASPCA Equine Fund provides grants to non-profit equine welfare organizations in the U.S. for purposes in alignment with their efforts to protect horses. The grants program seeks to support equine organizations who strive to achieve best practices, including sound horse care, maintenance of updated websites and robust fundraising practices. Since 2008, the ASPCA Equine Fund has awarded a total of approximately $5.5 million to over 450 organizations.

To learn more about the ASPCA or to join the Advocacy Brigade, please visit www.aspca.org.  

For more information on the Hampton Classic, please visit www.hamptonclassic.com.