Action Needed!

Hi All,
I just returned from DC and I have some exciting news to report and will do that soon. However, there is urgent action needed TODAY and I wanted to get that out to everyone ASAP.

There is an Agriculture Appropriations vote in the House, the amendment is the same that was added in the 2006 Ag Approps that would prevent tax dollars from being used in the inspections. This ban on expenses expires on the first of October and we MUST have it continue. There is
also an amendment that could potentially remove the anti-horse slaughter language from this bill tomorrow.

It is important to ACT today and tomorrow!

Please when you have a moment:

1. Go to www.house.gov and type in your zip code at the top of the page. You will need your plus 5 so check your mail for the full zip code. Your Representative will be listed along with their contact information.
2. Call your representative and ask them to support ANY language that would stop the slaughter of horses and equally important, ask them to oppose any amendment aimed at stripping the anti-horse slaughter language from the bill.

This is a very important juncture in our battle to end horse slaughter.

Please take a moment today to make these calls or send a fax.

Please also spread the word EVERYWHERE possible.

This is not the full bill, it is just extending the ban to prevent taxpayers from paying the expenses of the horse slaughter plant(s). Without this the plant in Illinois will have one less thing to fight and it could open new plants in other states. I understand there is some confusion about what this amendment says, but the House chair is only offering at this time to continue the ban on using tax dollars to support the industry.
Please expect more alerts in the near future about the bill and expect some really great things, but we must get past this first. So, it is CRITICAL we are heard and see this pass without being stripped from the bill.

Shelley Sawhook

The AHDF is Expecting!

We are expecting new foals any day now. Our foster home tells us that some of the pregnant mares rescued from the feedlot are showing signs of delivering soon. As you can see from the pictures at least one of the mares is very big as well as showing all the signs of impending delivery. The photos above are Sugar, a quarter horse mare and Fiona, an off the track Thoroughbred mare.

In preparing for their delivery the barn has been scrubbed clean, sawdust laid in the foaling pen and a new camera installed. We had hoped to be able to bring you streaming video of the birth, but that isn't possible. Its very hard to get routers, lines and computers in the foaling pen with the mare and we thought funds would be better spent in providing care for these horses. So, instead we will be recording the video and making it available for those interested.

The vet says the births can be at any time and all the mares are healthy enough to deliver healthy beautiful babies. If you would like to be a part of the delivery watch this blog for links to the video when it is posted.

Please consider sponsoring one of these sweet ladies and their new bundles of joy. In their condition they cannot be adopted until the foals are old enough to be moved safely or until they are weaned. We are not even taking applications for the pregnant mares at this time. This means the AHDF is responsible for their care and so far we have received $0 in donations for these horses. Currently there are 30 horses in foster care at AHDF. If you are interested in sponsoring a horse or foal visit the AHDF website at http://ahdf.org/Adoptions.htm. Other options to help are with providing supplies for the horses, so there is a level of assistance for everyone!

Upcoming Events!

Upcoming Events

The HSUS is hosting an event this weekend and Monday of next week called Taking Action for Animals. Before the event starts there will be an equine conference for invitees only. The conference is for those in the humane and equine rescue industries to discuss issues within the equine rescue industry. It is called Homes for Horses. I will be serving as the AHDF representative at this conference and will be the member of a panel of experts on the issue of rescue concerns.

If anyone would like to attend the Taking Action for Animals event please visit HSUS's website to register. The lobby event on Monday is expected to be the largest animal related lobbying effort this year. It will be fun and exciting, so if you are able join them for a great event.

September 15th is the date for Musical Horse Aide. The event will be held at the Walworth County Fairgrounds in Wisconsin. There will be musical entertainment as well as a number of guest speakers, including me. So, start making plans to join us in Wisconsin. For more information on the event visit http://www.animalfairycharities.org. I look forward to seeing you there!

7th Circuit Court Gives Cavel Injunction

Cavel International has been closed since district Court Judge Kapala ruled that Illinois could enforce its new law banning horse slaughter in June 2007. However, in a surprise action today by the 7^th Circuit Court of Appeals, the plant was given yet another injunction allowing the plant to reopen and continue the slaughter of horses for human consumption. The decision states “In light of the irreparable harm that will come to the plaintiffs if the motion is not granted, and a degree of novelty raised by the appeal, the motion is GRANTED”.

The members and staff of the AHDF are disappointed in this decision. “The novelty is that the Court of Appeals would ignore the will of the people,” says Shelley Sawhook, president of the American Horse Defense Fund. “The plant has been given a number of injunctions and opportunities to allow them to plead their case. They will be opening once again tomorrow under 2 separate injunction,” says Sawhook “While the appeal was not unexpected, the awarding of the injunction was very unexpected”.

Cavel International slaughters horses for human consumption overseas. The Illinois state legislature passed a law banning the slaughter of horses for human consumption in May of 2007, but the plant appealed the law as being unconstitutional. Federal law prohibits the use of taxpayer dollars from being used to inspect the meat and Cavel would be operating under the injunction issued to force the federal government to pay for the inspections, not the fee-for-service plan the USDA implemented after the federal ban on funding was passed.

“Issues like these show why it is important for federal legislation to ban the slaughter of horses for human consumption is so very important,” says Sawhook. However, the bills to protect horses from slaughter are stalled in the Senate (S 311) and House (HR 503). Last session HR 503 passed the House by an overwhelming majority, but went unheard in the Senate because of blocks by a few Senators. This session the same Senators have again, let it be known that they do not wish the bill to get floor time and even though it passed through committee it has not been scheduled for a vote. “It is time that our government not have legislation held up because one or two people oppose a bill,” Sawhook said “All bills deserve an up or down vote and these bills have been left pending for too long. Let’s have a vote on them, so we can all move forward”.

AHDF on Foal Watch

The AHDF has 6 pregnant mares in its custody at this time. The vet has been monitoring their conditions since they did come from a feedlot that feed directly into the Mexican slaughter plants and we do not know what if any care they have received until now. These 6 ladies all look as though they could all deliver at any time.

The AHDF's foster family has told us that 2 of the mares have significant signs of delivering soon. So, our foster family is living on limited sleep as they watch the mares so we can ensure a safe delivery of these highly anticipated babies.

Only a few short weeks ago these mares' lives did not have a bright outlook. They were sitting in a feedlot in Texas waiting to go to Mexico to be slaughtered for their meat. They would not be in a safe barn awaiting the delivery of their foals. As most of you know, these would not be the first pregnant mares "processed" at a slaughter plant. Cavel in Illinois had a mare deliver on the floor of the slaughter plant on May 11th and June 11th of 2007. Thankfully that plant is closed because of the new Illinois law that bans horse slaughter in that state. However, this now sends our horses into Mexico and Canada. Even the supporters of horse slaughter admit that the Mexican plants are FAR less humane.

This is why it is very important for us to see the passage of the federal bills HR 503 and S 311, which would ban horse slaughter in the United States and would prohibit our horses from being transported to Mexico and Canada for the purpose of slaughter. Please contact your Senators and your Representative and ask them to co-sponsor and support these very important bills. Visit the AHDF website for more information on slaughter and for information on these bills.

That way Sugar, Gypsy, Rosie, Fiona and other mares can have their foals safely without ever having to worry about slaughter ever again. These mares were bred by people and they need people to help save them. You can also visit the AHDF for updates on these lovely ladies and to help us by sponsoring them through their pregnancies.

To our sleep deprived Foster family a great big thank you from the AHDF!

Shop and Donate to AHDF

Dear American Horse Defense Fund Supporter,

With every purchase at the following familiar stores, a percent will go to American Horse Defense Fund as cash back. Each store banner links directly to the store with our organizational code so we will get all the credit for purchases made.

Dear American Horse Defense Fund Supporter, With every purchase at the following familiar stores, a percent will go to American Horse Defense Fund as cash back. Each store banner links directly to the store with our organizational code so we will get all the credit for purchases made.
My Wines Direct 14% of the total of your purchase will go to: American Horse Defense Fund Sampler package - Starting at $79.95! Summer Favorites Great gift ideas!	JustFlowers.com 12.6% of the total of your purchase will go to: American Horse Defense Fund Fruit Basket - $59.99 Spa Indulgence Gift basket - $50.99 Blooming Basket - $34.99	Vermont Teddy Bear 10.5% of the total of your purchase will go to: American Horse Defense Fund Personalized one-of-a-kind Guaran~teed for Life!
Candle Bay 10.5% of the total of your purchase will go to: American Horse Defense Fund Elegant Reed Diffusers - $5.99 Jar Candles make lovely gifts Cafe Gift Set - $12.00	GiftTree 8.4% of the total of your purchase will go to: American Horse Defense Fund Beautiful Gift Baskets Personalized Gifts Flowers, balloons, wines	Hallmark.com 8.4% of the total of your purchase will go to: American Horse Defense Fund Flowers and Collectibles! Say "Thank You" to a special Person! Gifts for any occasion
Animal Den 7.7% of the total of your purchase will go to: American Horse Defense Fund 2008 Animal Calendars - $13.99 Clocks, Figurines, Jewelry Great Gifts for Animal lovers!	Hammacher Schlemmer 7% of the total of your purchase will go to: American Horse Defense Fund Talking Star And Constellation Navigator - $69.95 25 Country Portable GPS - $499.95 Rearview Mirror Wireless Bluetooth Speakerphone - $139.95	Danskin Women's Apparel 7% of the total of your purchase will go to: American Horse Defense Fund V-Neck Singlet Tank Top - $27.99 Straight Leg Crop Pant - $34.99 V-Neck Tunic - $31.99
WickedCoolStuff.com 7% of the total of your purchase will go to: American Horse Defense Fund	TreeGivers.Com 7 from your purchase price will go to: American Horse Defense Fund Plant a tree in honor of someone special! A certificate of planting will be sent Show you Care!	101Phones 4.2% of the total of your purchase will go to: American Horse Defense Fund
EVERY Day is Shop for Charity Day! Use this link to access all 1,000 + merchants uniquely coded for American Horse Defense Fund
Be sure to forward these Weekly Specials to your family and friends so they can take advantage of great specials and help earn cash back for us, the organization they care about. The list of organizations on the ShopForCharityDay.com website is provided for informational purposes only. The causes have been listed by persons for their own and others' use. A listing at ShopForCharityDay.com is not an endorsement of Shop For Charity Day, Inc. by the cause, nor an endorsement of the cause by Shop For Charity Day, Inc. Please see our FAQ page for more detailed information.

Be sure to forward these Weekly Specials to your family and friends so they can take advantage of great specials and help earn cash back for us, the organization they care about.

Weekly Mall Specials for AHDF

Dear American Horse Defense Fund Supporter,

With every purchase at the following familiar stores, a percent will go to American Horse Defense Fund as cash back. Each store banner links directly to the store with our organizational code so we will get all the credit for purchases made.

Dear American Horse Defense Fund Supporter, With every purchase at the following familiar stores, a percent will go to American Horse Defense Fund as cash back. Each store banner links directly to the store with our organizational code so we will get all the credit for purchases made.
American Greetings & Blue Mountain 28% of the total of your purchase will go to: American Horse Defense Fund	Inkgrabber.com 17.5% of the total of your purchase will go to: American Horse Defense Fund Ink Jets for under $2.00! Fr~ee Shipping on orders over $55.00 - Use code: "Bundle" 50 Pack of Ridata CD - $12.95	Auto Parts Warehouse 8.4% of the total of your purchase will go to: American Horse Defense Fund Shop by brand Shop by part Fr~ee Shipping!
FragranceNet.com 7.7% of the total of your purchase will go to: American Horse Defense Fund Over 8,000 100% designer fragrances Low prices on top brands - up to 70% off  Fr~ee U.S. Shipping on $60 orders	Target 7% of the total of your purchase will go to: American Horse Defense Fund Swimways Kelsyus Floating Cooler - $24.99! Eddie Bauer 4 person tent - $69.99!  On Wheels 54-Can Cooler - $29.99!	Adagio Teas 7% of the total of your purchase will go to: American Horse Defense Fund Simplify with TriniTEA Electric Maker - $99.00 Elegant Glass Pitcher - $14.00. Six Flavor Tea Sampler - $11.00
911HealthShop.com 7% of the total of your purchase will go to: American Horse Defense Fund Altovis Energy Enhancer - $24.95 Advantage Weight Loss - $12.95 Eazol (Natural Pain Relief) - $ 59.95	Drugstore.com 7% of the total of your purchase will go to: American Horse Defense Fund Save 20% on Crest Toothpaste 30% off Bayer Aspirin  Will Ship Internationally	Back In The Saddle 7% of the total of your purchase will go to: American Horse Defense Fund
Avon 5.6% of the total of your purchase will go to: American Horse Defense Fund ANEW Deep Crease - $10 Promotion Island Vibe Beauty Bag - $3.99 Promotion Skin So Soft Bug Guard - $2.99!	Boot Barn 4.9% of the total of your purchase will go to: American Horse Defense Fund	Kohl's 2.8% of the total of your purchase will go to: American Horse Defense Fund Sonoma Capris - now $4.80 Wide-Striped Polo $24.00 $4.80 Women's Terry Hoodie $36.00 $10.80
EVERY Day is Shop for Charity Day! Use this link to access all 1,000 + merchants uniquely coded for American Horse Defense Fund
Be sure to forward these Weekly Specials to your family and friends so they can take advantage of great specials and help earn cash back for us, the organization they care about. The list of organizations on the ShopForCharityDay.com website is provided for informational purposes only. The causes have been listed by persons for their own and others' use. A listing at ShopForCharityDay.com is not an endorsement of Shop For Charity Day, Inc. by the cause, nor an endorsement of the cause by Shop For Charity Day, Inc. Please see our FAQ page for more detailed information.

Be sure to forward these Weekly Specials to your family and friends so they can take advantage of great specials and help earn cash back for us, the organization they care about.

The list of organizations on the ShopForCharityDay.com website is provided for informational purposes only. The causes have been listed by persons for their own and others' use. A listing at ShopForCharityDay.com is not an endorsement of Shop For Charity Day, Inc. by the cause, nor an endorsement of the cause by Shop For Charity Day, Inc. Please see our FAQ page for more detailed information.

Help the AHDF by Shopping

Have you ever wanted to help the AHDF, but didn't have the money to send a donation directly or wished you could donate more?

Well, the AHDF now has a way that you can help us simply by shopping with the AHDF. Our new mall offers a wide variety of stores where you can find anything you need in your everyday life. The mall offers everything from equine supplies, jewelry, books and music, cars and clothing. Everything you could possibly want is available through our new mall.

So, the next time you need to buy ink for your printer or need computer cables visit the AHDF mall and support the AHDF while you get what you need at a great price! What could be better?

Horses Horses Everywhere

The AHDF does not normally get directly involved with rescue efforts. We focus mainly on legislative efforts, policy and legal efforts to secure the safety of horses. However, as we all know life doesn't always allow any person or organization to remain above the fray and the AHDF got involved with efforts to save dozens of pregnant mares, mare and foals from slaughter.

Some of the horses were placed with other rescues, others are in the possession of a foster home for the Friends of Barbaro. However, many of these horses are now safe and sound at an AHDF volunteer's home. The mares and foals will soon be released from quarantine and will be available for adoption. The pregnant mares will give birth to ensure their safe delivery before they will be available for adoption.

There are adoptive homes for some of the mares and foals, but we cannot begin the adoption process on the pregnant mares until after they deliver and possibly not until their foals are weaned. Because of this we find ourselves in the unique position of looking for sponsors for these mares.

If you are interested in sponsoring one of these beautiful mares and their unborn foals who were headed to slaughter in Mexico, please send your donation to the AHDF and on the memo line write sponsor. If you would like to donate online you can send your donation via Paypal to the email address president@ahdf.org and please make sure you let us know it is for sponsorship. We will soon add a page on the AHDF website for adoption information and sponsorship, but these animals need your support now. Any support is greatly appreciated.

AHDF
1718 M St NW
Unit 191
Washington, DC 20036

www.AHDF.org

District court Upholds Illinois Law

(July 6, 2007) - The American Horse Defense Fund (AHDF) joins the Humane Society of the United States and other humane welfare organizations in applauding the decision by U.S. District Court Judge Frederick J. Kapala upholding a new Illinois law that prohibits the slaughter of horses for human consumption.

On May 24^th, Governor Rod Blagojevich signed the law, which took effect immediately. On May 25^th Cavel International, the nation’s only remaining horse slaughter facility, filed suit seeking to block enforcement of the law. Judge Kapala’s decision on July 5^th upheld the Illinois law.

Earlier this year, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a similar effort by the horse slaughter industry to overturn Texas’ law banning the possession of horsemeat for human consumption. The district court rejected each and every one of Cavel’s legal claims, for substantially the same reasons provided by the Fifth Circuit in the Texas case.

"This decision, and the legislation that it upheld, is yet another signal that the American people want their horses protected from slaughter,” said Shelley Sawhook, President of the American Horse Defense Fund. “After numerous states have either passed or are in the process of passing anti-horse slaughter legislation and two federal courts have now ruled, it is clear that horse slaughter must end. Now it’s up to Congress to finish the job and protect American horses from being exported to slaughter plants in Canada and Mexico for human consumption overseas.”

In his ruling, Judge Kapala concluded that the Illinois law falls well-within the state’s authority to legislate for the protection of people and animals because “the Illinois General Assembly could have reasonably concluded that, based on our cultural history, our society views horses, along with dogs, cats, and some other creatures, as companion animals” and it is therefore “cruel and immoral to slaughter horses for human consumption.”

Facts

• According to the USDA, 100,800 American horses were slaughtered in three foreign-owned slaughter houses in 2006. Another 30,000 were sent to Mexico or Canada for slaughter.
• A bipartisan group of lawmakers, including Rep. Janice Schakowsky (D-Ill.), is working to ban horse slaughter nationwide. The legislation would prohibit the export of horses for slaughter.
• Cavel International employs 56 people - less than 0.001 percent of the population of DeKalb County. The facility's contributions to the tax base are also relatively insignificant. The facility contributes 0.12 percent of the county's commercial tax revenue and 0.02 percent of its property tax revenue.

Timeline

• July 5, 2007 – Judge Frederick J. Kapala of the federal district court in Rockford, Illinois upholds H.B. 1711.
• May 28, 2007 – Texas legislature adjourns without taking up legislation that would legalize horse slaughter.
• May 24, 2007 – Governor Rod Blagojevich signs H.B. 1711, banning horse slaughter in Illinois.
• May 21, 2007 – The United States Supreme Court refuses to hear an appeal by the horse slaughter industry in Texas. The industry sought review of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals' decision upholding a 1949 Texas statute that bans horse slaughter.
• May 16, 2007 – The Illinois Senate approves legislation to ban horse slaughter by a vote of 39-16.
• April 26, 2007 - U.S. House of Representatives passes H.R. 249 to restore a decades-old ban on the commercial sale and slaughter of wild horses first enacted under the Wild and Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971, by a vote of 277-137.
• April 18, 2007 – The Illinois House of Representatives approves H.B. 1711 to ban the slaughter of American horses in Illinois for human consumption overseas, by nearly a two-to-one margin, a vote of 74-41.
• March 29, 2007- A federal district court ordered the U.S. Department of Agriculture to stop inspecting horses about to be slaughtered at the Cavel International slaughter plant, effectively closing the last operating horse slaughtering operation in the United States. The order was stayed pending appeal, allowing Cavel to temporarily reopen.
• March 20, 2007 – The HSUS files a notice of intent to sue Cavel International for dozens of violations of the Clean Water Act.
• January 19, 2007 – A three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit unanimously upholds a 1949 Texas state law banning the sale of horsemeat for human consumption in that state.
• January 17, 2007 – Legislation to ban the slaughter (and export for slaughter) of American horses nationwide, S. 311 and H.R. 503, is introduced by Sens. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) and John Ensign (R-Nev.) and Reps. Janice Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.), John Spratt (D-S.C.) and Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.).
• September 7, 2006 – U.S. House of Representatives passes H.R. 503, the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, by a vote of 263-146. The 109th Congress adjourns before the Senate can consider the bill.

The American Horse Defense Fund's (AHDF) mission is to facilitate the protection, conservation, and humane treatment of members of all Equine species. AHDF works to address inhumane treatment of horses, ponies, donkeys, mules and burros, both wild and domesticated through education, advocacy and litigation when necessary in the state, federal and international arenas. The AHDF has members in every state in the country. You can find the AHDF on the web at AHDF.org

The American Horse Defense Fund

1718 M St NW Unit 191

Washington, D.C. 20036

AHDF.org

Justice for Horses

Are you interested in helping equine? Then join the AHDF, your membership dollars go toward supporting our many equine projects. Go to www.AHDF.org/join06.htm .