FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 25, 2019
Media Contact: Alexandra Garza
646-291-4543 / alexandra.garza@aspca.org
The ASPCA Rescuing Racers Initiative has granted over $2.25 million to support former racehorses over the past ten years
NEW YORK—Today, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) announced it has granted $250,500 to twelve equine rescue groups to assist their efforts to rehabilitate and retrain retired racehorses. Launched in 2010, the ASPCA Rescuing Racers Initiative has awarded over $2 million to prepare horses for new homes and second careers once their racing careers come to an end.
“Now in its tenth year, the ASPCA Rescuing Racers Initiative provides focused and impactful grant funding to the many groups around the country that provide critical resources to former racehorses,” said Dr. Emily Weiss, vice president of Equine Welfare for the ASPCA. “While their racing careers may have ended, these retirees still have much to offer, and we are proud to support these innovative groups as they effectively, humanely and efficiently rehabilitate and rehome retired racers.”
Selected recipients include a wide range of equine rescues, each being awarded a grant ranging from $10,000–$50,000 to support their work. Recipients of the 2019 ASPCA Rescuing Racers Initiative include:
- CANTER USA
- Friends of Ferdinand, Ind.
- Hope for Horses, Nc.
- Horse and Hound, Ok.
- Kentucky Equine Adoption Center, Ky.
- MidAtlantic Horse Rescue, Inc., Md.
- New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program, Ky., LA and OH
- Redwings Horse Sanctuary, Ca.
- ReRun Thoroughbred Adoption, Ny.
- This Old Horse, Mn.
- Beyond the Roses Equine Rescue and Retirement, Mi.
- Racers Placers Inc., Wi.
The ASPCA Equine Welfare department is focused on ensuring horses nationwide have good welfare, which includes working collaboratively with stakeholders in both the rescue community and equine industries to help at-risk horses safely transition to new careers and homes, increasing safety net support for horse owners, and enhancing anti-cruelty efforts. In 2018, the ASPCA awarded more than $800,000 in equine grants to assist 56 equine organizations across the country.
For more information about the ASPCA’s efforts to help horses, please visit www.aspca.org.
About the ASPCA®
Founded in 1866, the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) was the first animal welfare organization in North America and continues to serve as the nation’s leading voice for animals. More than two million supporters strong, the ASPCA is committed to its mission of providing 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 Instagram.
