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-- WITH PHOTO -- TO NATIONAL EDITORS:
Equine Rescue Groups Compete to Help At-Risk Horses on ASPCA Help a
Horse Day, April 26
NEW YORK, April 14, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/-- The ASPCA@ (The
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals@) today
announced participants in its 2014 ASPCA Help a Horse Day grants
contest, a nationwide competition for equine rescues and sanctuaries
to raise awareness about the lifesaving year-round work they do to
care for local at-risk horses who've been abused, neglected or find
themselves homeless. Participating rescue groups will be competing for
the chance to win one of five $10,000 grant prizes to assist their
efforts to protect horses. Contestants will be judged on the
creativity of their events, as well as their ability to engage the
local community.
"Equine rescues and sanctuaries that step in to care for these horses
give them a much-deserved new lease on life," said Jacque Schultz,
senior director of the ASPCA Equine Fund. "We were so impressed by the
creativity and commitment of this year's participants. They were
clearly inspired by their deep passion for horse welfare, and embody
the spirit and hope behind Help a Horse Day. It is the perfect
opportunity for the horse-loving public to join with rescues to make
an impact that will last far beyond the celebration day."
More than 80 groups will be hosting events across 32 states on
Saturday, 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 been a core part of the ASPCA mission ever
since, including legislation, advocacy, rescue and targeted grants.
Thousands of equines become homeless each year through no fault of
their own, and many frequently end up at livestock auctions where they
are purchased for slaughter. It's a myth that only old, sick or
injured horses are slaughtered. The USDA notes that more than 92
percent of horses sent to slaughter - over 144,000 in 2013 alone-are
in good condition, and could go on to lead productive lives in loving
homes.
In 2013 the ASPCA awarded $1.4 million in grants to support equine
rescues and sanctuaries in 43 states and the District of Columbia. The
grants were primarily awarded as part of the ASPCA Equine Fund, which
provides life-saving resources - including financial help, in-person
and online training, and sharing of best practices -- to non-profit
equine welfare organizations in the U.S.
For more information on ASPCA Help a Horse Day or to see if there is
an event near you, please visit www.aspca.org/helpahorse. For more
information on the ASPCA's efforts to end horse slaughter, please
visit www.aspca.org/slaughter.
About the ASPCA@ Founded in 1866, the ASPCA@ (The American Society for
the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals@) is the first animal welfare
organization in North America and serves as the nation's leading voice
for animals. More than two million supporters strong, the ASPCA's
mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to
animals throughout the United States. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit
corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in the areas of
anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services. For more
information, please visit www.ASPCA.org, and be sure to follow the
ASPCA on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20060731/NYM024LOGO
SOURCE ASPCA
-0- 04/14/2014
/CONTACT: Maureen Linehan, 646-706-4602 / Maureen.Linehan@aspca.org
/Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20060731/NYM024LOGO
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
/Web Site: http://www.aspca.org
CO: ASPCA
ST: New York
SU: PET ANW NPT AVO LEG
PRN
-- DC04861 --
0000 04/14/2014 17:41:00 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com
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