Euthanasia Day: California Non-Profit Helps Horseowners Avoid Slaughter
A few weeks ago I wrote an impassioned blog post calling for reform in the options that horse owners have when choosing to sell or put down an unwanted horse. Among my ideas was that I suggested that AAEP member veterinarians work out a way to subsidize euthanasia on certain days to make it more affordable for owners.
Imagine my surprise today when the Fugly Horse of the Day blog spotlighted a California equine rescue group that is full to the gills with needy horses...and still answering way to many calls from owners with the rote, "Sorry, we're full..." message, knowing that the horse may end up at an auction and then be shipped to a Mexican slaughterhouse.
NorCal Equine Rescue in Oroville is offering euthanasia clinics; the first will be held on December 17th. Financially-strapped horse owners can have their horses euthanized for $25, only about 10% the cost that a veterinarian normally charges. The balance of the fee is to be paid by donations...and with a little publicity from the Fugly Blog, the donations have begun.
Click here to read how the group has planned out the euthanasia clinc, and what the circumstances are in northern California. I don't think they would mind if others copied their idea, but let's give them credit for this one. It is sad to think that it is even necessary, but this option should spare a good number of horses the trauma of the auction and a long long truck ride to a tragic death.
If you can, please donate to the euthanasia initiative. There's a PayPal link ("Donate" button) on the site to make it easy for you.
Labels: euthanasia, horse slaughter, NorCal Equine Rescue
posted by Fran Jurga @ 10/15/2008
4 comments
4 Comments:
Fran - This is a dramatic sign of how bad the times are right now. It's a brave and difficult decision that NorCal Equine Rescue has made. Thanks for posting about it- As horse owners and horse lovers, we must step forward and do what we can to help horses avoid starvation and cruel death.
Thanks, VIctoria. I hope the NorCal "event" will be successful so other groups will start to do similar projects. I know it's just a small thing in the light of the big picture. I will post about this again.
I am so glad some people are making feesable options to auction, starving, neglect or killer buyers available to horse owners. I was shocked when I saw the negative and down right vicious people were reacting to this on the alexbrownracing.com board. Just shocked! What on earth do people think we are going to do with the 100,000 or more horses if they stop slaughter all together? Let them starve or run loose? Just whine and complain and do nothing ?
KUDOS to NorCal Equine Rescue for taking action and for helping not only the horses , but the humans. People think they are above this happening to them , need to realize that these owners probably thought this would never happen to them either.
Dear Anonymous,
I am sorry you found it shocking that concerned citizens were checking up on a the new euthanasia policy that NOR CAL recently put forth. These people were neither vicious or negative in their remarks. There had been serious speculation that all horses, any healthy ,pregnant, or otherwise lovely equine could be put down after a mere 60 days without any attempt at re-homing! Much to the relief of the many concerned, The founders of N.C stepped up and provided much needed clarification to many unanswered questions. I am so sorry your misinterpretation has caused you so much shock and grief. We are very very saddened that these difficult times have left so many citizens with little or no options but death, for their beloved equines. You are 100% correct in sharing with folks that nobody is immune to tragedy striking. If we could only get the breeders to STOP.
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