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In Defense of Animals and other advocacy organizations have been fighting to save wild and domestic equines from slaughter for many years. Now, there's a chance to end it with the Save America's Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act. Urge Congress to pass this important piece of legislation in the upcoming Farm Bill.

The last horse slaughter plants in the United States closed in 2007 after Congress defunded the required U.S. Department of Agriculture inspections. However, yearly live exports of thousands of horses and other equines to slaughterhouses in Mexico and Canada continue.

For years, congressional legislation to stop this export of American horses, mules, and donkeys has been blocked by powerful lobbying groups, including the National Cattlemen's Beef Association and the two largest veterinary organizations in the U.S.

Earlier this year our friends at Animal Wellness Action, Center for a Humane Economy, and Animals' Angels issued a report about the horrific horse slaughter industry, exposing what happens to them from auctions to slaughter plants. WARNING: The photos and descriptions in this report are graphic and extremely disturbing.

It is time we stop the outrageous misrepresentations of bloody horse slaughter at chaotic slaughterhouses being “humane euthanasia” and the efforts of Big Ag to block congressional bills to prevent it. This year, we have the best chance to stop transporting horses across our borders for slaughter through the Agriculture Improvement Act, also known as the Farm Bill. Because Congress is required to pass the Farm Bill every five years to authorize funding, it is essential that this bill be included and passed along with the rest of the broader bill.

The Save America's Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act of 2023 (H.R. 3475/S. 2037) would amend the Dog and Cat Meat Trade Prohibition Act, which was passed as part of the 2018 Farm Bill, to include equines. If passed, this would ban horse slaughter in the U.S., and their export for that purpose.

Unfortunately, some equine advocates are opposed to the 2023 SAFE Act, saying it is not strong enough and should also include prohibitions for equines being killed for animal companion food instead of for just human consumption. They also want other adjustments that are not as important for many reasons, not the least of which is the cost to the pet food industry to use horse flesh would make it unprofitable, and also that the toxins in horse meat have caused deaths in animal companions. Let's save the lives of thousands of equines now and strengthen the bill once it has a foothold!

Letter to Decision Maker(s) for reference:

Subject: Cosponsor and support the SAFE Act of 2023 (H.R. 3475/S. 2037)

I request your support of the bi-partisan Save America’s Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act of 2023 (H.R. 3475/S. 2037), which would “amend the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 to prohibit the slaughter of equines for human consumption.” 
Well over 80% of American citizens, including your constituents, are against horse slaughter. Undercover investigators have shown horrifically inhumane conditions in the entire slaughter pipeline process. From “kill buyer” auctions to days-long transport in cramped stock trailers with no food or water to the gruesome killing floor of slaughterhouses in Mexico and Canada, equines are afforded no respite from terror and pain.

The two “big business” veterinary associations, the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) have lobbied Congress against the SAFE Act under the pretense that horse slaughter is “humane euthanasia” and that excess horses have nowhere else to go. These opinions have been proven blatantly wrong. 

The horse industry routinely overbreeds and discards animals no longer useful to them. The AAEP and AVMA feel the need to protect the economic interests of their members who profit from the unscrupulous business practices of their clients. It is time to prioritize the will of the majority of your constituents and co-sponsor the SAFE ACT! 

Thank you for your timely consideration and please let me know that I have your support on this issue.

Sincerely,

Signed

This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.