Help save American horses from slaughter

Although the US banned the slaughter of horses for human consumption back in 2007, a significant number of horses have been sent from America to slaughterhouses in Mexico and Canada due to legal loopholes that allow this horrendous practice to continue. Heartbreakingly, 2023 saw more than 20,000 horses sent across US borders to be killed for their meat.

These horses face horrific long-distance journeys to their deaths crowded together into trucks without access to food or water. They’re often unable to rest during shipments that can last over 24 hours - many are seriously injured or die before they even reach the slaughterhouses.

No American horses are safe. The animals sent for slaughter include both wild and domestic horses, former racehorses, and former carriage horses. Horse meat buyers often outbid rescue organizations at auctions and some companion horses have even been stolen from farms.

Horse lovers who find themselves in the tragic position of being unable to support their beloved equine friend confront the very real danger of horse meat buyers posing as adoptive homes to profit from this cruel and corrupt system.

Despite the fact that 80% of Americans oppose the slaughter of horses for human consumption the export of horses is still a thriving business in border states.

Save America’s Forgotten Equines Act

This spring, a bipartisan group of senators reintroduced Senate Bill 2037 Save America’s Forgotten Equines Act to end this cruel industry once and for all. The bill, which has also been reintroduced as H.R.3475 in the House of Representatives,

• “Makes it unlawful to knowingly possess, ship, transport, purchase, sell, deliver, or receive a horse for it to be slaughtered for human consumption”.

• The bill will also make it illegal in the United States to buy, sell and possess horse meat for human consumption.

This bill will make a huge difference in the lives of America’s horses and will finally allow these beautiful creatures to live and die with the respect and dignity they deserve.

Please join Species Unite in ramping up support for this bill by urging Congress to pass the SAFE act. It’s time to end the vicious practice of sending American horses to their slaughter.