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Horses require substantial financial resources for optimum care. Some people own equines without fully understanding the long-term financial commitment. Given today’s challenging economic times, those with a marginal ability to care for their horses, and even those who have always been able to provide proper care, are struggling. Horse slaughterhouses across the nation have been closed down because of grave concerns about inhumane practices. The public is understandably opposed to the slaughter of horses. New Mexico must find solutions for the humane care and disposition of equines.
The Equine Protection Program will:
- Minimize the suffering of equines by seeking solutions to their most immediate needs. Program elements will include:
- providing financial support to sanctuaries for abandoned or relinquished equines;
- subsidizing emergency equine care and humane disposition for individual owners;
- advancing humane equine stewardship through public education;
- training law enforcement in equine cruelty investigations;
- promoting humane management of wild horse herds; and
- improving animal protection laws.
- Be funded through the Equine Protection Fund, a Community-Advised Fund housed within and administered by the New Mexico Community Foundation, which is a 501(c)(3) organization. Contributions, which are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law, should be earmarked for the Equine Protection Program. Program priorities will be established based on recommendations from an advisory committee, which will consist of a variety of New Mexicans interested in equine issues, including representatives from the horse breeding community, the horse racing industry, the rodeo industry, the pleasure horse community and the animal advocacy community. Animal Protection of New Mexico will make appointments to the advisory committee, and provide support and leadership.
Benefits to the community:
Horses have played an important role in settling the southwest. These iconic figures, who continue to be powerful symbols and important elements of the agrarian culture of New Mexico, deserve to be treated with dignity. New Mexicans must fulfill our compact with the horse for a lifetime of compassionate care. New Mexico’s communities are safer and better places to live when all animals are treated humanely.
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