"We are getting more calls and emails than ever from people who cannot afford to feed their horses..."
Dear ASPCA Member,
Horse sanctuaries and rescues around the country are in crisis over the soaring cost of hay!
Today's struggling economy isn't just affecting people at the gas pump; the horse industry is also plagued by the escalating cost of hay. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's market report, hay costs have risen from $160 per ton in 2006 to $235 per ton last week.
Faced with these rising costs and ongoing drought conditions many horses are left to starve on arid land. Equine rescues are being flooded with calls from caring horse owners to relinquish their beloved pets simply because they can no longer afford to purchase hay. As a result, horse sanctuaries have become crowded with horses for which they too are struggling to care, and are reporting a sharp increase in the number of emaciated horses being surrendered to them. The situation has become even more dire in areas where wildfires, drought, or flooding have affected hay crops causing wild horse sanctuaries to cut back on their services as a result of the staggering costs.
In order to address this crisis, the ASPCA has created an Emergency Hay Fund; this Fund will provide much needed financial assistance to horse sanctuaries to help reduce the burden of escalating hay costs. Every dollar we receive will be used exclusively to provide Emergency Hay Relief grants to struggling horse sanctuaries and rescue organizations. Please, help us make a difference in the lives of horses by supporting this important Fund; every dollar will truly make a difference!
Thank you for your support!
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It's the picture-perfect scene: Sweet little Suzy, just turned three, toddles downstairs to find a new puppy with a big red bow. And with the latest charismatic canine movies - Beverly Hills Chihuahua and Marley & Me - hitting the big screen, purebred Chihuahuas and Labrador retrievers are bound to be on kids’ lists this holiday season.
Unfortunately, while the giver may have the best intentions, that cute little pooch most likely came from a substandard commercial breeding operation, commonly known as a puppy mill. And with the holiday season upon us, puppy scammers are on the prowl, hoping to lure shoppers with endearing photos and phony promises.
If you're thinking of surprising the family with a new pet for the holidays, we're all for it - if you do it the right way! To help you out, ASPCA President Ed Sayres and Officer Annemarie Lucas, ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement's Supervisory Special Investigator, have prepared a special video message with tips for determining if a pet really is the best gift - and if so, where to find your furry bundle of joy. (Here's a not-so-subtle hint: your local shelter or rescue group!)
P.S. Know someone who's planning to give a pup as a present? www.aspca.org%2Fsite%2FPageServer%3Fpagename%3Dmedia_newsalert120508#1">Please ask them to watch the video, too!
