WFLF Study Reveals Disturbing Number of U.S. Thoroughbreds Slaughtered Each Year

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wild for Life Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
March 1, 2012

WFLF Study Reveals Disturbing Number of U.S. Thoroughbreds Slaughtered Each Year

Wild for Life Foundation releases a Case Study conducted on the number of Thoroughbreds that die at slaughter annually. The findings represent a detailed portrait of the U.S. Thoroughbreds slaughtered in the years 2002 through 2010, as compared to annual Thoroughbred foal crop.
The case study is based on data published by the U.S. government and the Jockey Club. According to the study, an amount equal to 70% of the annual Thoroughbred foal crop, on average, die at slaughter each year.

“The polls have shown that the vast majority of those in racing want an end to the transport of their horses to any slaughterhouse,” said Jo Anne Normile, founder of Saving Baby Equine Charity and CANTER, the first organization to take Thoroughbreds right from the track to safe havens. “But for every Secretariat, for every Seabiscuit, there are tens of thousands of racehorses whose experiences on the back lots of the country’s tracks tell a different story.”

“As more race tracks scramble to implement programs to protect thoroughbreds at the end of their careers, it is important to remember that this same horrible fate is imposed on many that never have a racing career.” — Shelley Abrams, Racehorse Owner, Co Founder Americans Against Horse Slaughter.

“Without federal protection, aftercare programs cannot safeguard our horses from the harm of horse slaughter,” adds Katia Louise, President Wild for Life Foundation. “It’s evident that more must be done by the industry, including a united stance supporting a federal ban on slaughter of horses for human consumption.”

Wild for Life Foundation extends an open invitation to the leaders of the Thoroughbred industry to join the Saving America’s Horses Initiative for the protection of all horses from slaughter. Leaders in the Thoroughbred industry can help champion the way by reinstating an anti-slaughter position and supporting the legislative bills that protect all America’s horses from slaughter.

As part of the initiative, “Saving America’s Horses” is spotlighting the issue through the world's most powerful visual resource, cinema. SAVING AMERICA'S HORSES, the movie is a brilliant and hard hitting expose` that sends a life-changing and lingering message to the public about the need to protect our horses.

"SAVING AMERICA'S HORSES is a sobering wake up call to the need for all horsemen and horsewomen to do more to ensure that our beloved horses are protected. I urge the leaders in the Thoroughbred industry to set an example for the rest of the industry to actively get behind this film and support the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act." — Bing Bush Jr., equine attorney

"SAVING AMERICA’S HORSES is so important to shed light on the reality of what is happening to our horses everyday in this country. My hope is that every horse lover will come away with a whole new understanding of why we have to protect these magnificent animals after seeing the film" says Nick Zito, Hall of Fame Thoroughbred racehorse trainer.

Americans Against Horse Slaughter and Animal Law Coalition join Wild for Life Foundation in its Saving America’s Horses Initiative in calling for an auditable aftercare program for rehabilitation, retraining and adoption for horses whose racing careers have ended must be put into action in all racing jurisdictions and the industry must generate the funds to assist in the transition of horses from racing into second careers. These organizations further recommend that the leaders in the equine industry resolve to a vigorous showing of support for the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act and put an end to the travesty and tragedy of horse slaughter for human consumption.

Link to PDF of Case Study:
http://www.wildforlifefoundation.org/Case_Study_U.S._Thoroughbreds_Slaughtered_2002-2010-WFLF.pdf

Link to this PDF of this press release:
http://www.wildforlifefoundation.org/Press_release_WFLF_Case_Study030112.pdf

Contact:
Katia Louise
admin[@]wildforlifefoundation.org
admin[@]savingamericashorses.org

About Wild for Life Foundation
Wild for Life Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity dedicated to protecting, saving and preserving wild and domestic equines.


www.WildforlifeFoundation.org 
www.SavingAmericasHorses.org

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