ASPCA Grants $225,000 to Help Rehabilitate and Retrain Retired Racehorses

Now in its ninth year, the ASPCA Rescuing Racers Initiative has granted over $2 million to support former racehorses
December 10, 2018

NEW YORK—The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) today announced it has granted $225,000 to nine equine rescue groups to support their efforts to rehabilitate and retrain retired racehorses. Launched in 2010, the ASPCA Rescuing Racers Initiative has awarded over $2 million to prepare retired racers for new homes and second careers after their racing careers come to an end.

“The ASPCA is dedicated to ensuring horses nationwide have good welfare, and through the Rescuing Racers Initiative we are able to provide much-needed 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 as they transition into new homes, and we are pleased to support the efforts of these groups as they rehabilitate and retrain these horses for life off the track.”

Selected recipients include a wide range of equine rescues, each being awarded a grant ranging from $10,000–$45,000 to support their work. Recipients of the 2018 ASPCA Rescuing Racers Initiative include:

  • CANTER/National
  • CANTER, Mich.
  • Friends of Ferdinand, Ind.
  • Kentucky Equine Humane Center Inc., Ky.
  • MidAtlantic Horse Rescue, Inc., Md.
  • New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program, Ky. and OH
  • ReRun Inc., N.Y.
  • The Exceller Fund Inc., Ky.
  • Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, Ky.

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. The ASPCA’s efforts to ensure equines have good welfare also includes supporting humane legislation and advocacy, field rescue and targeted equine grants. In 2017, the ASPCA awarded more than $750,000 in equine grants to assist 91 equine organizations across the country.

For more information about the ASPCA’s efforts to help horses, please visit www.aspca.org.

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About the ASPCA®
Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) was the first animal welfare organization to be established in North America and today serves as the nation’s leading voice for vulnerable and victimized animals. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with more than two million supporters nationwide, the ASPCA is committed to preventing cruelty to dogs, cats, equines, and farm animals throughout the United States. The ASPCA assists animals in need through on-the-ground disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal placement, legal and legislative advocacy, and the advancement of the sheltering and veterinary community through research, training, and resources. For more information, visit www.ASPCA.org, and follow the ASPCA on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok.

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