Alternatives for All Horse Owners Announced
Announcing the long-awaited Alternatives to Auction and Slaughter-A Guide for Equine Owners book. The book offers literally thousands of alternatives to allowing horses to be slaughtered for human consumption,
(PRWEB) November 5, 2004
The American Horse Defense Fund (AHDF), the nation's premier horse protection, education and advocacy nonprofit organization, announces the publication of an invaluable resource for all horse owners, Alternatives to Auction and Slaughter a Guide for Equine Owners-A Better Way©. This book lists resources for the entire country including; life and end of life options, legal issues and other helpful information that can be invaluable for anyone who owns a horse in the United States.
The AHDF, in working with horse owners and horse issues nationwide, became acutely aware of a lack of substantial resource list. Often AHDF staff members and volunteers would have to spend hours online looking for specific resources within a specific state from which an informal list for organizational use was developed. Trina Bellak, Esq., AHDF's president and chief operations officer, envisioned the need for a national resource guidebook, "If we can see a use for this information, so can the average owner." So several volunteers took on the monumental task of contacting facilities, companies, programs and rescues all over the country and putting the information in lists useful for horse owners and professionals. The book also debunks the myth that there is no other alternative for some horses than euthanasia or brutal slaughter for human consumption.
With thousands of individual listings, the book is broken down by state and resource types and is over 330 pages long. The book provides basic information on, domestic and wild horse retraining assistance, programs/institutions/agencies that take donated horses, transporting, live and deceased horses, disposal options, sanctuaries, rescues and many more resources, never before compiled in a single place. There is also special bill of sale and a lease that can be used by owners to protect their horses now and in the future. The book is designed to look at all the issues horse owners face when they cannot or do not wish to keep their horse or have problems with an equine. "The book is designed to look at all the issues horse owners face. It doesn't just say ‘Don't send your horse to slaughter,' but gives information and resources on how to avoid it," says Shelley Sawhook one of the contributors to the book and the AHDF's Communications Director. "When we began the work on this book it looked like a monumental task, but everyone was so devoted and we were able to pull it off," says Bellak "And now horse owners will have a viable list of alternatives and resources never before available." The book will be available on CD, in print and on AHDF's website. "The best part of the book, in addition to giving horse owners a list of valuable resources, is that it shows that there really is no reason for horse slaughter for human consumption, there are plenty of alternatives," Bellak states.
Each year thousands of horses are slaughtered in the United States, a very large percentage of them are healthy, younger horses and ponies. Their meat is sold in high-end restaurants and specialty butcher shops in Belgium, France, Japan, and other European countries. The number of horses killed may seem astronomical, but actually represent 1% or less of the horse population in the US. Surveys have been conducted that show the majority of Americans are opposed to horse slaughter. The statistics vary from place to place and range from 84-91% of voters who favor legislation that would end horse slaughter for human consumption. A large percentage feel that horses are sport or companion animals rather than typical livestock and feel that the horse is a part of our heritage and represent a part of our history.
Horsemeat is not sold in the US and in some states is actually illegal to possess. The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, sponsored by US Representative John Sweeney and Senator John Ensign, DVM, garnered tremendous bipartisan support in both the House and Senate. The bill gathered over 225 supporters in the House and 10 in the Senate. However, US House Agriculture Committee Chairman Representative Bob Goodlatte (R, VA) blocked its passage in the session ending now. The hope is that with the addition of the AHDF's book, opposition to the bill will greatly diminish and will lead to the bill's passage. "We appreciate the American Horse Defense Fund in publishing this book, Alternatives to Auction and Slaughter, and we commend them and all who work tirelessly to end this vile practice," joint forward statement by US Representative John Sweeney and Senator John Ensign DVM.
"Our goal is to get this book into the hands of every horse owner in the country," says Bellak. For this reason the book will be available without charge, but donations are welcomed with a suggested dollar figure of $10. The only fee will be for shipping and handling for the CD or hard copy. Bellak states, "We hope that owners will keep a copy with them at all times, as it could be valuable for them to have while they are traveling or in case of emergency." The AHDF is looking for sponsors for the book and advertising space is still available since funds are badly needed to cover large publishing and mailing costs. Equine magazines and publications are urged to run PSA ads for this book. The first issue of the book is expected to be available by the middle of November. All donations to the AHDF, a 501(c)(3) are tax deductible as allowed by law.
For information on advertising please e-mail terry@ahdf. org. To order a copy of the book or for more information on the book or the American Horse Defense Fund, log onto www. ahdf. org or email shelley@ahdf. org.
AHDF is an equine protection organization that works on national, regional and state issues and policies relating to the protection and well being of horses, both wild and domesticated. It is recognized as the leading national nonprofit that focuses solely on the welfare of horses and issues specific to this beautiful animal. The AHDF offers annual riding trips and vacations that educate about horse ownership, both wild and domestic. For information about issues relating to horses and horse welfare e-mail ahdforg@aol. com. shelley@ahdf. org or visit www. AHDF. org
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