Never before has there been a need so great

For Immediate Release
Wild for Life Foundation
Saving America's Horses
Los Angeles, Ca 
Dec 7, 2011

Never before has there been a need so great to ban together for the greater good in the protection of one of our most precious and historic natural resources, the horse.


The recent lifting of a ban on funding for USDA inspectors at horse slaughter plants in the U.S., fueled by pro slaughter propaganda has led to a proverbial media frenzy with reports based on proponent anecdotes rather than reality, or actual fact checking.

Documented evidence of egregious violations and a lack of enforcement by the USDA in U.S. slaughterhouses led to the defunding of USDA inspections in 2007, but in the absence of federal ban on horse slaughter, our wild and domestic horses continue to be shipped across federal borders where they are slaughtered just as inhumanely to this very day.

The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act of 2011, S.B. 1176, amends the Horse Protection Act (HPA) to prohibit the sale or transport of horses or equine parts in interstate or foreign commerce with the intent of processing for human consumption. The House version of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act is known as H.R. 2966.

Regardless of why, we as a culture, are so repulsed by the thought of consuming horse flesh, and the reasons are many; if we fail to uphold our fundamental moral and social responsibilities, we are in effect dooming the fate of our own humanity.

If you are concerned about the inhumane treatment of animals, or concerned about serious threats to human health, or concerned about sustaining our environment, support Saving America's Horses. Only a federal ban can protect us from the destructive and predatory trade of horse slaughter. 

“Saving America’s Horses, A Nation Betrayed is a loud wake up call for every American,” says Laura Allen of Animal Law Coalition.  This international award winning documentary film is the single most comprehensive and compelling resource ever made available, and it features many leading equine welfare professionals in the U.S.

"The beauty of the cinematography lay in stark contrast to the dark truths that the film so painstakingly and irrefutably laid bare. The public must see this film!" —John Holland, Equine Welfare Alliance

We invite all those that wish to uphold the integrity in doing the right thing, to come stand with us. Join us in support of saving, protecting and preserving America's wild and domestic equines. Support the "Saving America's Horses" initiative and not only be part of the solution, but also take part in this powerful vehicle for change.

Sincerely,
Katia Louise
Wild for Life Foundation
Saving America's Horses

PS- You can also help by sharing Clips and telling your friends about "Saving America's Horses".

Contact your U.S. Representatives, Support our Work, Like us on Facebook, Join our Cause, Subscribe to our Blog, Get Educational Banners, Corporate Giving, On Screen Credits, Join our Team.

Link to this on line post: http://savingamericashorses.blogspot.com/2011/12/never-before-has-there-been-need-so.html

Link to PDF:  http://www.savingamericashorses.org/120711_Never_before-has_there_been_a_need_so_great.pdf

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America's Horses Under Siege!

Wild for Life Foundation
"Saving America's Horses"
Nov 30, 2011

We don't eat our horses for many reasons.  We respect the bond of their love, they are sentient beings and they have earned an honorable place in our society and deserve dignified and humane treatment through to the end of their lives.

Should Americans spend over $5Million in tax payer dollars a year toward toxic pollution, increased crimes rates, promoting tainted meat products and endorsing barbaric cruelty to animals?" 

What about the scientific evidence that reveals the serious health risks and lethal effects when people consume toxic substances banned from the human food chain?

"Saving America's Horses" provides a platform for the leading equine welfare organizations in the U.S. that have been working to ban horse slaughter for over the past decade.  Please help support our work by telling your friends about this important film project, and donate by mail or on line by visiting our website: www.savingamericashorses.org

"Saving America's Horses - A Nation Betrayed" is an intelligent and touching expose` that can raise the public outcry needed to pass a federal ban on horse slaughter. This documentary film is in post production with public release slated for early 2012, but funds are needed to pay for special processing in order to get "Saving America's Horses" to final print.  

Big Ag wants to bring horse slaughter back to the U.S. and they've got deep pocket special interests helping to pave their way. If America doesn't speak out to stop it, Big Ag could open a horse slaughter plant near you, next year!

Help keep horse slaughter out of America by  supporting "Saving America's Horses"!  

Since 2006, Congress has prevented horse slaughter in the U.S. by cutting funds for inspections of horse meat from its annual Agriculture Appropriations bill, but the fate of America's horses has now been undermined in one swift move. There has been overwhelming support by the American public, the horse community and the House of Representatives to include de-funding language in the 2012 Agriculture Appropriations bill but special Conference Committee members Representative Jack Kingston (R-GA),  Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI), and Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO), just removed that language from the final bill. Obama signed this bill into law on Nov 18th, 2011.

www.savingamericashorses.org
www.wildforlifefoundation.org

"Saving America's Horses" is film project under Wild for Life Foundation, a 501 c3 nonprofit charity dedicated to protecting, saving and preserving wild and domestic equines. Donations to Wild for Life Foundation are tax deductible to the full extend permitted by law. 

Awards and Accolades:

BEST IN FESTIVAL: Los Angeles Women’s International Film Festival

BEST ENVIRONMENTAL FILM: FILM NORTH International Film Festival, Canada

ACCOLADE MERIT AWARD: Indie Fest, for Advocacy, Visuals, and Investigative Journalism

AWARDED FOR CINEMATOGRAPHY, ADVOCACY, EDITING & CONSERVATION MESSAGE: International Wildlife Film Festival

"Masterfully presented!" – Larry Lindner, New York Times best-selling writer 
“Fantastic! Powerful and compelling” — Greg MacGillivary, MacGillivary Freeman Films (IMAX)  
“It’s the freight train that will roar through our country awakening, engaging and empowering the public." – Jo Anne Normile - Founder of CANTER, former racing breeder, owner, and BOD of the MI HBPA & M-TOBA

 “It blows the lid off the abysmal horse slaughter industry in America.” — HarrisonHeldStarMedia
“Brilliant and heartbreaking exposé.” — Laura Allen, Attorney – Animal Law Coalition
"It raises the bar for animal welfare in this country.” – Shelley Abrams, racehorse owner, Co-Founder AAHS

Please help Saving America's Horses by forwarding this important message to your friends.
Thank you!

For the horses and burros~
Katia Louise and the Team at Saving America's Horses

Senator Kohl is Key player in deciding the fate of our American Horses

 Senator Kohl is Key player in deciding the fate of our American Horses.


Dear Friends,

We are resending this urgent alert out to encourage folks to focus their efforts on Senator Kohls office. 
Senator Herb Kohl of Wisconsin is Chair of the Ag Appropriations Subcommittee which has jurisdiction over the USDA'S BUDGET.  Senator Kohl will play a key role in deciding whether horse slaughterhouses can reopen in the United States.

There are four major players

It is very urgent that we focus our attention on calling Senator Kohl of Wisconsin right now and ask him to please retain language in the Agriculture Appropriations Bill that bans the use of tax dollars to fund horse slaughterhouse inspections.

Please be VERY nice and factual. The opposition is factual and horse based.

Again, we must keep in mind that this action only intensifies the urgency for the federal ban.  Regardless of this amendment we must ramp up public demand for passage of the federal bill.  We need all grassroots to rise up and fight for the federal ban now.

Wisconsin Constituents, please make the call.  If you are an officer or board of director from Wisconsin business and/or with a Wisconsin University, please make the call now - (202) 224-5653

Americans Against Horse Slaughter

Urgent Call to Action

Dear Animal Advocates,

We need your help reaching out to Congress on behalf of our nation’s horses. Until a few years ago, there were a handful of foreign-owned slaughterhouses in the U.S. that butchered horses for markets in Europe and Asia, where horse meat is considered a delicacy. Americans spoke out against this practice, and since 2005, Congress has prevented horse slaughter in the U.S. by cutting funds for inspections of horse meat from its annual Agriculture Appropriations Bill.

Even though the current Congress prides itself on reducing government spending, some members are arguing that we should resume funding inspections for equine slaughterhouses—a step that would allow them to reopen on U.S. soil!

Please call one of special conference committee members that's currently debating the Agriculture Appropriations Bill. This committee will play a pivotal role in determining whether horse slaughter returns to the United States. You are in a key position to impact this decision!

What You Can Do
Place a brief, polite phone call and say: “Please retain language that bans the use of tax dollars to fund horse slaughterhouse inspections in the Agriculture Appropriations Bill.” Making the call will be fast and easy, and could make a real difference for thousands of American horses while we work to pass a permanent ban on horse slaughter.

Alabama: Senator Richard Shelby (202) 224-5744
Arkansas: Senator Mark Pryor (202) 224-2353
Arizona: Representative Ed Pastor (202) 225-4065
California: Senator Dianne Feinstein (202) 224-3841
Connecticut: Representative Rosa DeLauro (202) 225-3661
Florida: Representative Bill Young (202) 225-5961
Georgia: Representative Jack Kingston (202) 225-5831
Hawaii: Senator Daniel Inouye (202) 224-3934
Iowa: Senator Tom Harkin (202) 224-3254
Kansas: Senator Jerry Moran (202) 224-6521
Kentucky: Senator Mitch McConnell (202) 224-2541
Massachusetts: Representative John Olver (202) 225-5335
Maryland: Senator Barbara Mikulski (202) 224-4654
Maine: Senator Susan Collins (202) 224-2523
Missouri: Senator Roy Blunt (202) 224-5721
Mississippi: Senator Thad Cochran (202) 224-5054
North Carolina: Representative David Price (202) 225-1784
North Dakota: Senator John Hoeven (202) 224-2551
Nebraska: Senator Ben Nelson (202) 224-6551
Ohio: Senator Sherrod Brown (202) 224-2315
Pennsylvania: Representative Chaka Fattah (202) 225-4001
South Dakota: Senator Tim Johnson (202) 224-5842
Texas: Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (202) 224-5922
Virginia: Representative Frank Wolf (202) 225-5136
Washington: Representative Norm Dicks (202) 225-5916
Wisconsin: Senator Herb Kohl (202) 224-5653

Thank you!

BLM can roundup 1,700 mustangs in Nevada after appeals court lifts injunction

Posted on Jul 19, 2011 

ASSOCIATED PRESS
SCOTT SONNER
APNewsBreak:

RENO, NV (July 19, 2011) — The U.S. Bureau of Land Management was given the green light on Tuesday to move ahead with a controversial horse roundup in Nevada when a federal appeals court lifted a temporary injunction blocking the gather of more than 1,700 mustangs.
An animal rights group, the Colorado-based Cloud Foundation, had sued to stop the roundup. A three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in San Francisco said the group had failed to show it likely could prove during future hearings that the roundup is illegal and that removal of horses from federally protected public rangeland would cause irreparable harm.
Critics said another disappointing loss in federal court suggested Congress may have to pass a new law to protect the mustangs because the Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burros Act of 1971 doesn’t seem to be enforceable.
“We need a new law,” said Rachel Fazio, a lawyer for the Cloud Foundation who had won the temporary restraining order from a judge on the appellate court based on claims the proposed roundup was illegal.
“I think we really need to establish the fact that these animals need to be protected, need to be maintained unmolested by man. And that we mean it this time,” she told The Associated Press.
BLM spokeswoman Heather Emmons said the roundup that had been scheduled to begin last week would start on Wednesday in northeast Nevada near the Utah line — weather permitting — and continue for about six weeks.
Continue reading >>

Federal appeals judge halts NV wild-horse roundup

Federal appeals judge halts NV wild-horse roundup
MARTIN GRIFFITH, Associated Press
Updated 11:57 p.m., Friday, July 15, 2011

RENO, Nev. (AP) — A federal appeals judge on Friday night granted a temporary injunction to halt a government roundup of about 1,700 wild horses from the range in Nevada.

Judge Richard Paez of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued the order after U.S. District Judge Howard McKibben earlier in the day denied a motion to stop the federal Bureau of Land Management's removal of mustangs from public lands near the Utah line.

Paez's order will remain in effect until a three-judge panel (continued)
http://www.westport-news.com/news/article/Federal-appeals-judge-halts-NV-wild-horse-roundup-1468449.php

America's Wild Horses Under Siege - Judge Rules Against Protection of Triple B Wild Horses

For Immediate Release
Los Angeles, CA
July 15, 2011, 7PM PST
Wild for Life Foundation
Compassionate Animal TV

America's Wild Horses Under Siege

Wild for Life Foundation is deeply concerned for the welfare of the Triple B Wild Horses. Despite a lawsuit filed by wild horse advocates to protect the horses from cruel removal, BLM's planned round up and removal of at least 1,726 wild horses from 1,682,998 acres herd management areas (HMAs) in eastern Nevada will go forward.U.S. District Court Judge Howard McKibben issued a decision in favor of the BLM which  allows the BLM to proceed with the Triple B round up to remove wild horses beginning on Saturday, July 16.

There are 975 acres per wild horse is this HMA; yet BLM claims that the wild horse population is five times over the minimum appropriate management level.  Horses will be stampeded by helicopter chases in deathly high summer temperatures. Many mares are pregnant and will most likely be unable to keep up the pace for the long distance stampede. Many foals have died in the process of previous round ups because their hooves fall off while trying to keep up with their mothers. 1000's of horses have died after being rounded up and placed in BLM holding facilities.

The BLM blames wild horses for poor range conditions where the land is actually overgrazed by cattle.

Link to Press release by BLM:
http://www.savingamericashorses.org/Judge%20Rules%20in%20Favor%20of%20BLM%20Round%20Up.pdf

Learn more about this issue:
http://www.savingamericashorses.org/home.html

Contact:
admin[@]wildforlifefoundation.org

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WFLF Launches New PSA to Raise Support for Lifesaving Equine Protection

Wild for Life Foundation launches new PSA to help raise support for  lifesaving equine protection.

Click here to see this important message now:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdUXAk6tUvo

 


Thank you for taking the time to see the important message and please share it with others and help us get the word out.

http://www.lifetimeequinerefuge.org/donate.html

Lifetime Equine Refuge is the lifesaving equine protection program under Wild for Life Foundation (WFLF), a CA 501 (c)(3) volunteer based charity dedicated to saving, protecting and preserving horses in need. Our educational program is dedicated to raising awareness about the equine welfare issues with a focus on the preservation of America's wild horses and the need for protection of all horses from slaughter. WFLF's award winning documentary, "Saving America's Horses" is the 1st and only feature length educational film resource with a focus on protecting both wild and domestic equines.

Lifetime Equine Refuge rescues horses in need and provides them with medical care, food and love. Our rehabilitation and sanctuary program, Garden of Equine provides permanent residency for horses that cannot be re-homed. Visitors benefit from a hands on learning and healing experience. WFLF's equine programs provide social guidance and education about the need for compassionate and humane treatment of all horses and burros.

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Lawsuit Filed to Challenge Triple B Roundup

Posted Jul 6, 2011 

Courtesy of  Laura Allen 

Animal Law Coalition

A lawsuit has been filed to try to stop BLM's planned round up and removal of at least 1,726 wild horses from 1,682,998 acres of the Triple B, Maverick Medicine and Antelope Valley herd management areas (HMAs) in eastern Nevada.

Plaintiff The Cloud Foundation describes, "The wild horses of the Triple B, Maverick Medicine and Antelope Valley HMAs are free-roaming on the remote high desert mountains and valleys of east central and northeast Nevada--north of Ely, south of Elko on the Utah border. They have been characterized as a diverse, colorful, intermingling herd with some possessing old mustang origins. Many wild horses descend from an old Shoshone Indian herd known for pintos and paints, as well as a number of medicine hats, horses sacred to Native Americans".
Only 472 horses would remain after the Triple B roundup, and the mares would all be treated with an immunocontraceptive drug, PZP, to prevent pregnancy for up to 2 years.  This would leave an unnatural sex ratio of 60% male.
46,000 cows and sheep would be allowed to remain to graze.

According to the Bureau of Land Management, the 1,726 wild horses, with about 975 acres per horse, are destroying the range. But apparently 46,000 cows and sheep are having no effect at all on the condition of the range or water. The BLM refused even to consider the effect of so many cows and sheep on the range, let alone reducing their numbers.

As the Complaint filed by Plaintiffs The Cloud Foundation, Craig Downer and Lorna Moffat explains, "Those that are not re-released (about 1,700) would be transported by big rig trucks to long term holding facilities in the Midwest of the United States, where they would live out their lives in confined, zoo-like conditions, separated by sex or sterilized, wild and free-roaming no more.
"Family members would be permanently separated-stallions and mares from each other, and mares and stallions from their foals. Long-term family bonds would be forever severed.  Incarcerated in long-term holding facilities in the Midwest, stallions would be gelded, mares would typically be separated from the gelded stallions, and the acres per wild horse in these fenced facilities would be only a tiny fraction of what it is in their natural homeland in the HMA."

The BLM is required to justify its brutal roundups and removal of wild horses and burros from the range in Environmental Assessments called EAs. Under the National Environmental Policy Act, "whether by Environmental Impact Statement or Environmental Assessment, the agency must ‘study, develop, and describe appropriate alternatives to recommended courses of action in any proposal...'" 42 U.S.C. §4332(E). The implementing regulations provide that this consideration of all reasonable alternatives is "the heart of" the environmental analysis. 40 CFR §1502.14.

EAs when issued in cases recommending roundups of wild horses and burros are typically cookie cutter reports go something like this: The few wild horses and burros, as in this case, are causing degradation of the range and water sources; the range cannot support the horses and most or all are "excess" which must be removed.

Typically, these EAs fail to mention the numbers of livestock that are more likely the culprit of any range degradation or lack of water. There are any number of cases where the evidence establishes that, in fact, the range can support the few wild horses that under the Wild Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971, 16 U.S.C. §§1331 et seq., are supposed to be protected from "capture", "harassment" and "death" and managed at "the minimal feasible level". Only "excess" horses, those that represent an overpopulation, can be removed. The goal is to maintain a "thriving ecological balance".

In this case the Decision Record ("DR"), Finding of No Significant Impact ("FONSI"), and Final EA ("FEA") were issued on May 17, 2011. True to form, BLM claims the few horses are degrading the range. As the plaintiffs' point out, "the BLM [fails to] explain how any noncompliance with land standards ...is not primarily the result of livestock grazing, which is about eight times higher and more intensive than grazing from wild horses". Complaint, par. 36.

The roundup was to have begun by now but the BLM delayed it pending a July 14, 2011 hearing before the Nevada federal District Court on the plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction to stop the roundup and removal.   
(read complete article here)

Defending Their Freedom and Saving Their Lives

Dear Friends,

The nation’s anniversary is once again upon us; a time to celebrate and a time to reflect. We hope that you'll take a moment to remember America’s horses for whom America's freedom may not have been possible.

The freedom of America’s wild horses from a life of torment and cruelty may only come through a violent and barbaric death. Right now, thousands of America’s horses—including show horses, racehorses, wild horses, companion horses, and others—are suffering on U.S. soil; hundreds of wild horses stampeded down lava fields by helicopter, all breeds stockpiled into feedlots, and crammed into double-deck cattle trailers for days on end, in record high temperatures without water, food or rest. Their days are spent in agony and some won’t even survive this final journey as they cross federal borders to be butchered alive for wealthy dinner plates abroad.

Even if you've already pledged to stop the round ups and ban the slaughter, these animals need your help today. Please support WFLF's work to put an end to the horse slaughter trade and our work to preserve and protect wild horses right now.

Horses have helped to bring freedom to the people of this country. Please help us stand up for America’s wild horses who are brutality removed from their rightful range lands using tax payer dollars. Help us put an end to the barbaric slaughter of America’s horses for human consumption. Polls show that over 70% of the American people who know what’s happening to them are against these activities.

“Saving America’s Horses”, a cause driven film just started the festival circuit, and has already won multiple awards including BEST OF FESTIVAL at its first showing in Los Angeles and is getting rave reviews but… the slaughter of our American Horses may never end unless our horses are able to tell their story.

Wild for Life Foundation is dedicated to saving, protecting and preserving these majestic animals who are being abused and killed against the wishes of the American people. Thousands of horses are exported every year to Canada and Mexico to be slaughtered for their meat, but "Saving America's Horses" is the life saving film that can change all that for our American horses. Horses been there for us when we needed them most and it’s time for Americans that care about these animals to help in Defending Their Freedom and Saving Their Lives.

Help us help them with the promise of freedom for our American horses. Your gift today will support these and all our efforts to end equine suffering and abuse. 

Thank you for all that you do toward raising compassion for these and all animals. Our successful work would not be possible without the benevolence of people like you.

Warmest regards,

Katia Louise 

Wild for Life Foundation
Saving America’s Horses

BTW, Please remember to help these horses and burros who are suffering all over the country this 4th of July, especially those being killed in the brutal slaughter pipeline. Please help us tell the world that America’s horses are not food by donating online right now!

Federal Bill to End Inhumane Equine Transport

Senator Kirk Introduces Bill to End Inhumane Transport of Horses Via Double Deck Trailers

Tuesday, June 28, 2011
 

Washington, D.C.  Late Monday night, Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) introduced The Horse Transportation Safety Act of 2011 (S. 1281) to ban double deck trailer transportation of horses in the United States. Senator Kirk has worked to end the use of double deck transports for hauling horses since serving in the House of Representatives, following a horrific double deck trailer accident that took place in his state.

Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) is elated that Senator Kirk has chosen to reassert his strong commitment to the issue since his election to the Senate last year, said Christine Sequenzia, federal policy advisor at AWI. Humane horse transportation is one of our top priorities and we felt that committee passage of a standalone bill during the 111^th Congress was an important step forward.  We now look forward to seeing the Horse Transportation Safety Act of 2011 signed into law. 

Double deck livestock trailers on the road today were built to meet the specific design and engineering requirements of short-necked livestock species, like cattle, sheep, and swine.  Unfortunately, a few irresponsible haulers have used these trailers against manufacturer intent to transport horses, leading to inhumane travel conditions for equines and unsafe roadways for drivers.  The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the National Agriculture Safety Database (NASD) have recommended ceiling heights no lower than 7-8 to transport horses safely, while average double deck trailer ceiling heights range from 4'7"-5'11".  The U.S. Department of Transportation only requires bridges to have a vertical clearance of 14' in both rural and urban areas, making it impractical to build or modify a trailer large enough to transport equines on two levels.

Besides being an inhumane way to transport horses, double-deck trailers pose a major safety threat to the drivers of the imbalanced, oversized vehicles, as well as to other motorists, said Senator Kirk. Unfortunately, crashes due to these factors have occurred, and the results of the accidents are devastating. Following an accident in 2007 in Wadsworth, Ill., authorities worked for five hours before they were able to free the horses from the wreckage.

Today, most professional horse haulers believe double deck trailer transportation of horses has been banned. While there are a few state laws prohibiting the use of double deck trailers, there are no federal guidelines regarding the humane transport of horses, other than those going to slaughter. Even those are flawed; current USDA regulations banning double deck transportation only cover horses heading directly to a slaughterhouse.  Horses bound anywhere else, or en route to a midpoint in their journey (such as an auction house or feedlot) legally may be hauled in a double deck trailer notwithstanding the cruelty.  The USDA has expressed a desire to strengthen regulations banning this inhumane practice, but has yet to take action on the matter.

The Horse Transportation Safety Act of 2011 (S.1281) is necessary to protect horses from being transported across the United States in a trailer having more than one level.  To learn more about this issue or to write a letter to your Senator in support of S. 1281, please visit http://www.compassionindex.org/.

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Life Saving Film Launches Campaign to Go Far and Wide

Americans Against Horse Slaughter
Wild for Life Foundation
For Immediate Release
June 28, 2011

Life Saving Film Launches Campaign to Go Far and Wide

“Saving America’s Horses”, a cause driven film just started the festival circuit, and has already won multiple awards including BEST OF FESTIVAL at its first showing in Los Angeles and is getting rave reviews but…... the slaughter of our American Horses may never end unless our horses are able to tell their story.

Thousands of horses are exported every year to Canada and Mexico to be slaughtered for the purpose of wealthy dinner plates overseas, but "Saving America's Horses" is the life saving film that can change all that for our American horses.

• “A powerhouse narrative.” – Paula Bacon, Former Mayor Kaufman Texas
• “A brilliant and heartbreaking exposé.” — Laura Allen, Executive Director, Animal Law Coalition
• "Masterfully presented and balanced rather than filled with graphic images." – Larry Lindner, New York Times best-selling writer and former columnist for The Washington Post and The Boston Globe
• "It’s a life changing film!"—Michael Bailey, Producer/ Director Planetviews Productions, Environmentalist
• "Transcends the finest investigative journalism... A passionate reverence for all animals" —Debra Lopez, AAHS, Animal Advocate TV

Click here to see this important message now:
http://youtu.be/5lyuEtB0Nzc

Contact:
Americans Against Horse Slaughter at aahsus[@]gmail.com about this PSA
Wild For Life Foundation at admin[@]wildforlifefoundation.org regarding the film. 

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GAO Horse Slaughter Report 2011

GAO Issues its Horse Slaughter Report

Jun 23, 2011

Courtesy of  Laura Allen

Animal Law Coalition

The Government Accountability Office has issued its report, GAO 11-228, on action needed to address unintended consequences of the 2007 closing of domestic slaughter facilities. A principal recommendation: "Congress may wish to consider instituting an explicit ban on the domestic slaughter of horses and export of U.S. horses intended for slaughter in foreign countries."

A bill, S.B. 1176, is already pending in the Senate that would do just that.

 (More)

Horse Slaughter to Remain Illegal in House Bill

By Laura Allen
Animal Law Coalition
Saving America's Horses ABM

Update June 16, 2011: By a vote of 215-200, the U.S. House of Representatives approved H.R. 2112, the 2012 agriculture appropriations bill.

Rep. Jim Moran's amendment made in committee remained intact in the final version.

Under Rep. Moran's amendment, inspections required for horses bound for slaughter for human consumption will remain de-funded as they have been since 2006. This means if the House version becomes law, commercial horse slaughter for human consumption will remain illegal.

More: http://www.animallawcoalition.com/horse-slaughter/article/1809

Lummis Amendment Withdrawn

Breaking news! House Representative Lummis just withdrew her amendment!

House Rep may Threaten Defunding- More Calls Needed

House Rep Lummis (WY) expected to threaten defunding with amendment to FUND horse slaughter. DEFUNDING is vital to protecting horses.

Call TODAY and urge your legislator to strongly OPPOSE ANY amendment to restore horse slaughter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewGFPfS1U9I

Tax Payer Funding of Horse Slaughter goes sto Vote this Week!

On May 30^th, the House Appropriations Committee approved an amendment to the FY2012 Agriculture Appropriations bill that prevents your tax dollars from being used to fund inspections of horse slaughter facilities. This bipartisan language has been included in every Agriculture Appropriations bill since 2005. Without this important provision, foreign investors will be able to reestablish horse slaughter in the U.S. at the expense of taxpayers, our own food safety, and the welfare of horses.

The full House of Representatives will vote on the FY12 Agriculture Appropriations bill this Wednesday, June 15. An amendment may be offered to remove the Committee-approved language prohibiting the USDA from spending your tax dollars to inspect horse slaughter facilities. Maintaining the USDA language defunding inspections of horse slaughter facilities as currently included is vital to protecting our horses. It is critical that you call TODAY and urge your legislator to strongly OPPOSE ANY amendment to restore horse slaughter.

Please call your Representative immediately, urging opposition to any attempt to restore horse slaughter. 

You can call the main Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to be connected to your Representative's office by your state and zip code.

Calling Groups

Calling groups are being formed in support of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act of 2011.
Contact aahsus@gmail.com   if you'd like to help.
Thank you.

American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act of 2011,

Jun 10, 2011
By Laura Allen
Animal Law Coalition
WFLF Lifetime Equine Refuge BOD

Just as U.S. Representatives Jim Moran (D-VA) and Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) are calling for an end to horse slaughter, a bill to make that happen is introduced in the Senate. Here is what Sens. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC), the sponsors, have released about this bill:

The Problem: Somewhere between 60,000 and 100,000 horses/year are exported from the United States each year with the intent to slaughter for human consumption.
There are no horse slaughterhouses in the United States, and there is not a demand for horse meat in the United States. Two out three Americans believe the practice of horse slaughter is unnecessary and inhumane. Transport to foreign slaughterhouses is lengthy and cruel.

Horses in the United States differ from other livestock in that they have never been raised for the purpose of slaughter. As such, they are frequently treated with drugs that are toxic when ingested by humans and not approved for use in animals raised for human consumption.

Additionally, we have no system in the United States to track which medications a horse has received throughout its lifetime, which makes horse meat a serious food safety/American food export risk.
The Solution: The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act of 2011, S.B. 1176, amends the Horse Protection Act (HPA) to prohibit the sale or transport of horses or equine parts in interstate or foreign commerce with the intent of processing for human consumption. 

The bill, filed on June 9, already has a number of co-sponsors.

(more)

Senate Reintroduces Bill to Permanently Ban Horse Slaughter

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Washington, D.C. -- A bill to ban horse slaughter was reintroduced in the United States Senate today. Sponsored by Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), the "American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act of 2011" will end the slaughter of American horses here and, most urgently, will stop these horses from being exported abroad for slaughter. The sponsors, who have long championed the cause, have the bipartisan support of 14 colleagues who are co-sponsoring the bill.

"As a lifelong horse lover and rider, this practice is appalling to me, and more importantly, the majority of Americans oppose it. We raise and train horses to trust us, perform for us, and allow us on their backs, and as such, they deserve to be treated with human compassion. When horse owners are faced with the sad reality of having to put their animals down, it should be by humane euthanasia," said Senator Landrieu. "I intend to work with Senator Lindsey Graham from South Carolina and my other colleagues to get this bill passed and permanently end the slaughter of our American horses."

Rep Moran Says "US should get out of the horse meat business"

US should get out of the horse meat business

By Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) - 06/07/11 07:25 PM ET

Since 2006, horse slaughter has been banned in the U.S. In the annual agriculture appropriations bill, language with bipartisan support has been carried that eliminates federal funding for any activity involving the inspection of horse meat for human consumption. This restriction has effectively closed horse slaughter for human consumption facilities in the U.S. But this year the language was not included by the subcommittee for the first time in five years.
Last week, I introduced an amendment during full committee markup to restore the ban on horse slaughter in the U.S. The language was approved, but a floor fight on the issue looms in the near future. I hope to convince more of my colleagues of the need to continue to uphold current law making this inappropriate practice off-limits.

Read full article:
http://thehill.com/special-reports/animal-welfare-june-2011/165257-us-should-get-out-of-the-horse-meat-business

Call to Action

The Full House Vote on Funding for inspections of horse slaughter in the U.S. will take place June 15th. Calls, faxes and emails to your representatives are still needed.

Legislation to be voted on June 15th that could fund horse slaughter in the U.S. with your tax dollars

Please watch this 1 minute PSA then call your representatives!


Call the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-2131 or the Committee's number at (202) 225-2638.
(202) 225-2771 for Republicans
(202) 225-3481 for Democrats

An amendment was introduced by Senator Moran on May 31st to defund these inspections. Please call the committee members and ask them to support this amendment.

Bottom line: Tell them you do not support funding inspections for horse slaughter.

Toll free numbers:
1-866-220-0044
1-877-851-6437
1-877-762-8762
These numbers are provided for public use by non government groups and as such may change at any time. They ring through to the capital switchboard where you can ask for the legislators by name.

Defunding Roll Call

Where do your representatives stand on defunding horse slaughter?

Ert  – YES

       – NO

Harold D. Rogers, KY

C.W. Bill Young, FL

Jerry Lewis, CA

Frank Wolf, VA

Jack Kingston, GA

Rodney Frelinghuysen, NJ

Tom Latham, IA

Jo Ann Emerson, MO

Kay Granger, TX

Michael K. Simpson, ID

John Abney Culberson, TX

Ander Crenshaw, FL

Denny Rehberg, MT

John R. Carter, TX

Rodney Alexander, LA

Ken Calvert, CA

Jo Bonner, AL

Steve LaTourette, OH

Tom Cole, OK

Jeff Flake, AZ

Mario Diaz-Balart, FL

Charles Dent, PA

Steve Austria, OH

Cynthia Lummis, WY

Tom Graves, GA

Kevin Yoder, KS

Steve Womack, AR

Alan Nunnelee, MS

  

Norm Dicks, WA

Marcy Kaptur, OH

Pete Visclosky, IN

Nita Lowey, NY

Jose Serrano, NY

Rosa DeLauro, CT

Jim Moran, VA

John Olver, MA

Lucille Roybal-Allard, CA

Sam Farr, CA

Jesse Jackson, IL

Steve Rothman, NJ

Sanford Bishop, GA

Barbara Lee, Ca

Adam Schiff, CA

Mike Honda, CA

Betty McCollum, MN

Moran Amendment to Ban Horse Slaughter Passes!!

Moran Amendment to Ban Horse Slaughter Attached to Agricultural Appropriations Bill
  
      Language to halt USDA inspections, certification of slaughter facilities

Washington, DC – Congressman Jim Moran, Northern Virginia Democrat, successfully included an amendment to the Fiscal Year ’12 Agricultural Appropriations Act to eliminate funding for USDA inspection of horsemeat. By defunding federal inspections, the amendment will prevent the cruel practice of horse slaughter in the United States.

“Industrial slaughter of horses should not be condoned by the United States Government,” said Rep. Moran. “We have to put an end once and for all to this practice. These animals are a proud symbol of the American West, treasured by all for their beauty and majesty. They deserve to be cared for, not killed for foreign consumption.”

Identical language was overwhelmingly approved in 2006 and has been included in the Agricultural Appropriations bill every year when introduced in subcommittee. This year the language had been stripped out and the Moran amendment sought to reinstate it.

A ban on USDA inspections halts the issuance of certifications for horsemeat exports, which has stopped operations at horse slaughter facilities and prevented new facilities from opening. In addition to improving U.S. animal welfare, the Moran amendment will reduce federal spending by $5 million each year. The FY’12 Appropriations Act now heads to the floor for a full vote by the House of Representatives.

The amendment has received the support of the Animal Welfare Institute and the Humane Society of the United States.

“Adding millions of dollars to the federal budget to inspect foreign-owned horse slaughter plants would have been a step backwards for America’s iconic horses and a waste of tax dollars,” said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. “We are grateful to Congressman Jim Moran for leading the charge to restore this critical horse protection provision, and to the House Appropriations Committee for reining in this multi-million-dollar subsidy that would paved the way for the needless killing of American horses for foreign gourmands.”

Moran has a long history of animal protection advocacy. He currently serves as the co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Animal Protection Caucus. Moran received the Humane Society’s highest award in 2010 for championing the Truth in Fur Labeling Act, enacted in February 2011, which requires accurate labeling on all fur garments. During his time in Congress, Representative Moran has led the charge on a number of issues related to the protection of animals, including the successful passage of the Prevention of Interstate Commerce in Animal Crush Videos Act of 2010.

To read more on Rep. Moran’s efforts to protect animal welfare, please visit: http://moran.house.gov/issues_animal.shtml


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Urgent call to Action

Please watch this 1 minute PSA then call your representatives first thing Tuesday May 31st!

Legislation voted on Tuesday that could fund horse slaughter in the U.S. with your tax dollars

Call the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-2131 or the Committee's number at (202) 225-2638.
(202) 225-2771 for Republicans
(202) 225-3481 for Democrats


There is an amendment that will be introduced by Mr. Moran. Please call the committee members and ask them to support this amendment.

FAXES APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE;

JERRY LEWIS- CA-  202-225-6498

SAM FARR- CA- 202-225-6791                               

KEN CALVERT -CA-  202-225-2004

MIKE HONDA- CA- 202-225-2699

LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD, CA- 202-226-0350

ADAM SCHIFF- CA- 202-225-5828

BARBARA LEE-CA-  202-225-9817

SUPPORT the amendment that will be offered restoring the defund language to ensure horse slaughter does not resume!

Agriculture Appropriations:
Retain Language Defunding Federal Inspection of Horse Meat and Horses for Slaughter for Human Consumption

Bottom line: Tell them you do not support funding inspections for horse slaughter.

Toll free numbers:
1-866-220-0044
1-877-851-6437
1-877-762-8762
These numbers are provided for public use by non government groups and as such may change at any time. They ring through to the capital switchboard where you can ask for the legislators by name.

Details: http://www.savingamericashorses.org/Urgent%20message%20STOP%20U.S.%20Government%20from%20FUNDING%20Horse%20Slaughter.pdf

California Phone Numbers

District	Name	Party	Room	Phone	Committee Assignment
1	Thompson, Mike	D	231 CHOB	202-225-3311	Ways and Means Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
2	Herger, Wally	R	242 CHOB	202-225-3076	Ways and Means
3	Lungren, Daniel E.	R	2313 RHOB	202-225-5716	House Administration, Chairman Homeland Security Judiciary
4	McClintock, Tom	R	428 CHOB	202-225-2511	Budget Natural Resources
5	Matsui, Doris O.	D	222 CHOB	202-225-7163	Energy and Commerce
6	Woolsey, Lynn	D	2263 RHOB	202-225-5161	Education and the Workforce Science, Space, and Technology
7	Miller, George	D	2205 RHOB	202-225-2095	Education and the Workforce
8	Pelosi, Nancy	D	235 CHOB	202-225-4965	Democratic Leader
9	Lee, Barbara	D	2267 RHOB	202-225-2661	Appropriations
10	Garamendi, John	D	228 CHOB	202-225-1880	Armed Services Natural Resources
11	McNerney, Jerry	D	1210 LHOB	202-225-1947	Science, Space, and Technology Veterans' Affairs
12	Speier, Jackie	D	211 CHOB	202-225-3531	Homeland Security Oversight and Government Reform
13	Stark, Fortney Pete	D	239 CHOB	202-225-5065	Ways and Means
14	Eshoo, Anna G.	D	205 CHOB	202-225-8104	Energy and Commerce
15	Honda, Mike	D	1713 LHOB	202-225-2631	Appropriations Budget
16	Lofgren, Zoe	D	1401 LHOB	202-225-3072	House Administration Judiciary Science, Space, and Technology
17	Farr, Sam	D	1126 LHOB	202-225-2861	Appropriations
18	Cardoza, Dennis	D	2437 RHOB	202-225-6131	Agriculture Foreign Affairs
19	Denham, Jeff	R	1605 LHOB	202-225-4540	Natural Resources Transportation and Infrastructure Veterans' Affairs
20	Costa, Jim	D	1314 LHOB	202-225-3341	Agriculture Natural Resources
21	Nunes, Devin	R	1013 LHOB	202-225-2523	Ways and Means Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
22	McCarthy, Kevin	R	326 CHOB	202-225-2915	Majority Whip Financial Services
23	Capps, Lois	D	2231 RHOB	202-225-3601	Energy and Commerce
24	Gallegly, Elton	R	2309 RHOB	202-225-5811	Foreign Affairs Judiciary
25	McKeon, Buck	R	2184 RHOB	202-225-1956	Armed Services, Chairman Education and the Workforce
26	Dreier, David	R	233 CHOB	202-225-2305	Rules, Chairman
27	Sherman, Brad	D	2242 RHOB	202-225-5911	Financial Services Foreign Affairs
28	Berman, Howard	D	2221 RHOB	202-225-4695	Foreign Affairs Judiciary
29	Schiff, Adam	D	2411 RHOB	202-225-4176	Appropriations Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
30	Waxman, Henry	D	2204 RHOB	202-225-3976	Energy and Commerce
31	Becerra, Xavier	D	1226 LHOB	202-225-6235	Ways and Means
32	Chu, Judy	D	1520 LHOB	202-225-5464	Judiciary Small Business
33	Bass, Karen	D	408 CHOB	202-225-7084	Budget Foreign Affairs
34	Roybal-Allard, Lucille	D	2330 RHOB	202-225-1766	Appropriations
35	Waters, Maxine	D	2344 RHOB	202-225-2201	Financial Services Judiciary
36	Harman, Jane -- Vacancy	D	2400 RHOB	202-225-8220
37	Richardson, Laura	D	1330 LHOB	202-225-7924	Homeland Security Transportation and Infrastructure
38	Napolitano, Grace	D	1610 LHOB	202-225-5256	Natural Resources Transportation and Infrastructure
39	Sanchez, Linda	D	2423 RHOB	202-225-6676	Ethics Judiciary Veterans' Affairs
40	Royce, Ed	R	2185 RHOB	202-225-4111	Financial Services Foreign Affairs
41	Lewis, Jerry	R	2112 RHOB	202-225-5861	Appropriations
42	Miller, Gary	R	2349 RHOB	202-225-3201	Financial Services Transportation and Infrastructure
43	Baca, Joe	D	2366 RHOB	202-225-6161	Agriculture Financial Services
44	Calvert, Ken	R	2269 RHOB	202-225-1986	Appropriations Budget
45	Bono, Mary	R	104 CHOB	202-225-5330	Energy and Commerce
46	Rohrabacher, Dana	R	2300 RHOB	202-225-2415	Foreign Affairs Science, Space, and Technology
47	Sanchez, Loretta	D	1114 LHOB	202-225-2965	Armed Services Homeland Security
48	Campbell, John	R	1507 LHOB	202-225-5611	Budget Financial Services
49	Issa, Darrell	R	2347 RHOB	202-225-3906	Oversight and Government Reform, Chairman Judiciary
50	Bilbray, Brian P.	R	2410 RHOB	202-225-0508	Energy and Commerce
51	Filner, Bob	D	2428 RHOB	202-225-8045	Transportation and Infrastructure Veterans' Affairs
52	Hunter, Duncan D.	R	223 CHOB	202-225-5672	Armed Services Education and the Workforce Transportation and Infrastructure
53	Davis, Susan	D	1526 LHOB	202-225-2040	Armed Services Education and the Workforce

Return of commercial horse slaughter to the U.S.?

Calls Needed TUESDAY to STOP U.S. Government from FUNDING Horse Slaughter Business!
Return of commercial horse slaughter to the U.S.?

The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug, Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Committee has released its proposed appropriations budget for FY 2012.

The proposed bill does not include a provision de-funding inspections for horses to be slaughtered for human consumption. The proposed bill does not prohibit use of funds to inspect horses to be slaughtered for human consumption. The subcommittee report does not mention it.

It is the de-funding of these ante-mortem inspections in appropriations measures that has prohibited commercial horse slaughter for human consumption in the U.S. since 2007. Now, if the subcommittee bill passes, it could mean the return of commercial horse slaughter to the U.S.

Go here for more on the de-funding and the court decision that upheld it.

WHAT YOU CAN DO
The proposed budget bill will be voted on by the full House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations on Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at 5 p.m. EST in Room 2359, Rayburn House Office Building.

This meeting will be webcast. Audio and video of the hearing will be available by clicking here. Audio only will be available by clicking here.

Call the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-2131 or the Committee's number at (202) 225-2638, (202) 225-2771 for Republicans and (202) 225-3481 for Democrat members. Here are the names of committee members to ask for when you call. Go here to find the direct phone numbers of committee members and for your own U.S. representative.

Tell committee members and your own U.S. representative: Vote no on the appropriations bill unless the committee retains the language defunding inspections of horses to be slaughtered for human consumption.

Please forward this message to your friends and ask them to do the same.

Sincerely, Katia Louise
President
Wild for Life Foundation
Director, Saving America’s Horses

Laura Allen
Animal Law Attorney
BOD: Wild for Life Foundation
Advisory Board Member: Saving America’s Horses
Founder, Director: Animal Law Coalition

Link to PDF of this notice: http://www.savingamericashorses.org/Urgent%20message%20STOP%20U.S.%20Government%20from%20FUNDING%20Horse%20Slaughter.pdf

www.savingamericashorses.org

www.wildforlifefoundation.org/home.html

Saving America’s Horses A Nation Betrayed well received by IWFF

For Immediate Release:
(Los Angeles, CA, May 16, 2011) – Saving America’s Horses A Nation Betrayed well received by IWFF!

Saving America’s Horses A Nation Betrayed came away with four awards from the 34th annual International Wildlife Film Festival.

Winner: Cinematography, Editing, Conservation Message and Advocacy; Filmmaker Katia Louise was honored with these prestigious awards for her work amongst some of the most renowned wildlife television and film producers in the world. The film was very well received by viewers.



“Powerful and compelling” - Greg MacGillivary, MacGillivary Freeman Films
“A must see film” – Michael Blake, “Dances With Wolves”
“Hard hitting and well done” - Janet Rose, Executive Director of IWFF

The International Wildlife Film Festival shared a strong focus on the wild horse issue as presented in the film Saving America’s Horses A Nation Betrayed. The festival was attended by Missoula's moviegoers, elite fine arts community, humanitarians and philanthropists together with an international cross section of award winning wildlife filmmakers and conservationists. During the festival’s symposium and panel presentations there were passionate and somewhat heated discussions on the topic of wild horses versus feral horses. However nobody challenged the inhumane treatment of equines through the slaughter pipeline or of wild equines during their capture by the BLM.

Several local advocates attended Saturday's screening and came back prior to Tuesday’s screenings with their horses to hold a rally downtown for the purpose of raising awareness about the film and the cause. Montana Senator Dave Wanzenried attended the rally and walked along side filmmaker Katia Louise in sync with the local advocates.

Saving America’s Horses - A Nation Betrayed is a compelling compilation of expert testimony, undercover footage and true life stories shot against the dramatic backdrops of the American countryside. Viewers will adventure across the nation's sweeping landscapes to witness the magnificence, power and free spirit of one of America’s most treasured icons, the horse.

The facts unfold in a story about the underdogs and their fight to protect today's wild Mustangs and yesterday's Thoroughbred racehorses. The untold truth as reported by the nation’s top equine experts, celebrity and grassroots horse advocates draws a sharp contrast to misleading information initiated by proponents of slaughter and propagated by the media. This film presents a focused look into an unseen world of both wild and domestic equines; an investigative exposé that unravels multiple layers of conflict with a revealing look into the hidden pipeline of horses. Great hope is presented through an inspiring and diverse call to action leaving viewers with the inspiration and knowledge to effect change and convey the same to others.

Featuring appearances with Paul Sorvino, Michael Blake, Willie Nelson, Tippi Hedren, Linda Gray, Chief Arvol Looking Horse, Ken Wahl, The Barbi Twins, Amy & Raelyn Nelson, Jennifer Pryor and more!

Awards to Date:
Winner: Best of Festival - 2011 Los Angeles Women's International Film Festival
Winner: Award of Merit for Visual, Editing & Advocacy - Accolade Competition
Winner: Cinematography, Editing, Conservation Message and Advocacy - 34th Annual International Wildlife Film Festival.

The film will screen next at the Artivist Film Festival in Los Angeles which runs July 8th- 10th 2011.

Watch the trailer at www.savingamericashorses.org
See reviews at http://www.savingamericashorses.org/filmreviews.html

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