The ASPCA has officially opened registration for the fifth annual ASPCA Help a Horse Day contest! The nationwide competition is designed to elevate the life-saving work that equine rescues and sanctuaries do to find homes for horses year-round. Help a Horse Day is celebrated each year on April 26—a date chosen to honor the first successful arrest for horse mistreatment on April 26, 1866, after ASPCA founder, Henry Bergh, stopped a cart driver from beating his horse. 

Now in its fifth year, Help a Horse Day has been a meaningful way for equine rescues and sanctuaries to garner essential community support for the critical work they do to assist horses in need. We are excited as we gear up for this year’s contest, which has been expanded to offer 17 grant prizes—totaling $110,000!

In addition to the expanded prizes, there are a few other changes we are introducing this year. Motivated by the results of ASPCA equine research suggesting there could be approximately 2.3 million adults in the U.S. with both the resources and desire to adopt a horse in need, Help a Horse Day 2018 will be focused on finding good homes for horses. 

“This year, we are shifting the goals of Help a Horse Day to focus more specifically on adoption,” said Dr. Emily Weiss, Vice President of Equine Welfare for the ASPCA. “The ASPCA has been so energized to see Help a Horse Day grow each year, and we can’t wait to see what innovative ideas the participating rescues come up with to engage their local communities and maximize exposure for the many wonderful horses available for adoption.” 

Any organization that houses equines in need of homes and is a registered 501(c)(3) or governmental agency is welcome to compete in the contest. Groups will be judged based on their efforts to re-home equines in need and promote horse adoption.  

Since 2014, the ASPCA has awarded equine groups more than $300,000 in grant funding through the Help a Horse Day contest. We are excited to continue to help and encourage those dedicated to this critical cause, and invite our supporters to help us celebrate Help a Horse Day 2018!

The deadline to register for Help a Horse Day is April 5, so sign up today!