Every year congress goes on break over the summer. How great a job is that where you get summers off like when you were a kid? Anyway, our last chance to lobby before the break will be in May. So, of course I will be heading off to lobby again in early May so that possibly we can see our bill brought out before the frantic rush of Appropriations when they return in the fall, which will overshadow our bill.
If anyone would like to join me, have me visit your Senator or Congressperson or take letters please let me know as soon as possible. I will be on the Hill May 5th, 6th and 7th. I will be visiting Senators the 6th and 7th and the House on the 5th. Please keep that in mind if you would like to schedule an appointment for me to visit your Senators or Representative. Keep in mind that if you want me to visit your Congressional folks you need to request the appointment and let them know that I, Shelley Sawhook, will be at the meeting. Then let me know the time and date so I don't schedule any other meetings at that time. If you have letters or material you would like hand delivered please mail it to me ASAP at AHDF PO Box 328 Covington, TN 38019 and I will happily deliver them. If you would like to join me let me know and I will help you try to find the least costly rooms. One possibility is the Key Bridge Holiday Inn, but there are lots of conferences planned around that time so if you would like to go you will need to make reservations early.
This is going to be the last push to get our bill heard before the break. Once Congress returns they will be focused on the budget and appropriations bills and elections, so the possibility of getting heard then is greatly lessened. If it doesn't pass this year we will be forced to start over from the beginning next year, as we did last year. We don't want to have to do that so please consider this the last big push.
As always there is something that those of you who cannot go to DC can do. You can mark that week and make calls. Let's let them know we haven't given up, that we haven't stopped watching and that we still care deeply. The folks who went in March did such great work, much thanks to Julie C (sorry Julie after all these years I still can't spell your last name), John Holland, Paula Bacon and all the others who did such an awesome job, but we need to keep up the pressure. Let's light up those phones and jam their fax machines! (Please I beg you all to keep it polite and professional, but be persistent.)
Let's give this bill one last big push to get it heard and passed this year. It has been pending for far too long. I know that there are a great deal of wonderful, passionate and determined folks out there and I know the horses can count on you for your support.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Great Book Coming Out
So often my day is filled with terrible things. I talk about horse slaughter, horse abuse and neglect, just suffering horses in general. That is why when I had the chance to pass along the information about the Soles for Souls program I jumped at it. A chance to do something positive. Well, today I got an interesting email about the pre-release of a positive book about horses. The name of the book is also uplifting, "The Soul of a Horse Life Lessons from the Herd".
The book is by the award winning author of the Benji books, Joe Camp. The book is about people who have absolutely NO experience with horses gaining the custody of a horse and their journey to learning not only how to care for a horse, but how to actually connect with one. The sample text is moving and does make you want to read the whole book.
Again, here I am shamelessly plugging a product that I am not paid to endorse. Since I do so willingly I am sure that is why I don't get paid. LOL (that's laugh out loud for those who don't know) Still, I think it sounds like a good uplifting book that everyone can enjoy and use to escape all the ugliness that surrounds equine welfare. The book goes on sale April 19th and you can pre-order it by going to their website. The book will be released in hardcover and e-book.
The book is by the award winning author of the Benji books, Joe Camp. The book is about people who have absolutely NO experience with horses gaining the custody of a horse and their journey to learning not only how to care for a horse, but how to actually connect with one. The sample text is moving and does make you want to read the whole book.
Again, here I am shamelessly plugging a product that I am not paid to endorse. Since I do so willingly I am sure that is why I don't get paid. LOL (that's laugh out loud for those who don't know) Still, I think it sounds like a good uplifting book that everyone can enjoy and use to escape all the ugliness that surrounds equine welfare. The book goes on sale April 19th and you can pre-order it by going to their website. The book will be released in hardcover and e-book.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Most Common Question
In my position as president of the American Horse Defense Fund I get alot of emails asking questions. I try to answer them all as quickly as possible. However there are two that I get so many times a day that I am blown away. I try to answer every email personally and not use form emails because each one is from a wonderful caring individual and they each deserve an individual answer. someone has asked the question on my blog and rather than simply answering her personally I am going to answer it so it will be available to others too. Her question is...
Hello Shelly, I happened across your blog by accident one day and thought who better to ask this question than yourself. I am the happy owner of 2 QH geldings they are mine I love them unconditionally. BUT, in my family of horsey lovers there is a total of 11 horses, we have acquired through various ways. These lovely animals are cared for by my sister mother, niece, and myself. I really think we should be doing something in the way of the horse rescue as all of them came with issues, and have in our care grown healthy. Now of course we would like to find good loving homes for some of them but not all, and in our passing have run across more that we would like to help but this is an expensive helping business we are in and have been doing such for several years now just out of the love of the equine. Long story short, could you assist me in how to start a rescue?
thank you for reading this and any help is greatly appreciated.
Sherri Hanson
Starting a rescue is one of the hardest and most rewarding thing anyone can do, but it isn't for everyone. Even if you have been rescuing horses yourself for a while, rescuing full time is much different. It can be emotionally devastating, time consuming and financially draining.
We have an article on our website that talks about starting a rescue that I think is well written and informative. We also have information on the site that will help guide you through incorporation and filing for non-profit status as well.
Some people think that the articles are discouraging towards opening a rescue, but those are the folks that are just starting out. Those who have been in the rescue business say that it doesn't begin to tell how hard operating a rescue is. So, I think it is a good balance. If you are discouraged by reading the article then you definately should NOT open a rescue. We have had far too many rescues fail because they shouldn't have opened their doors to begin with. That leave the established rescues to clean up the mess and deal with the fall out with donors who are now jaded and horses that have suffered yet again, even if the intentions were great.
The second most asked question is how can I find funding for my rescue. Basically, there is no correct answer to this one. EVERY non-profit in the world stuggle with this one and if anyone finds the answer there are thousands of non-profits that would like to know the answer. There is NEVER enough funding for everything. There are some things that work better than others though and I don't have a problem with sharing those tips.
The best way to raise funds are to hold fund raising events. These can be done if you are private or if you hold your non-profit status. Open houses (especially if you invite the media), pancake breakfasts, taco or spaghetti dinners, golf tournaments... are all great ways to raise funds with little upfront expenses. Raffles work, but only if done locally, those run on the internet usually lose money (even if you have GREAT prizes). As a matter of fact, raising money online rarely if ever works because you are competing with every other rescue out there. You can also solicit your members and supporters for annual support, for living trusts and bequests. These tend to come easier after you have your non-profit, but it is possible to get them without your status or on a pending application. You can also lay out an initial investment on items to sell on your website or at local events. Some work out really well, while others never make back their money. If you are doing this you may want to have items that are not specific to horses as you would reach a wider buying market. You can also make your website work for you with a Goggle Ad-words account, or advertising on your site.
Once you receive your 501(c)3 there are a few more options. You can then begin to apply for grants. Remember that you will be competing with all the other rescues for theses, so you will have to have great grant writing skills. There are VERY few foundations that offer grants to equine rescues, so most rescues don't share information about who they get their grant funds from. You will need to do your own searches and research to find these. Your best bet is with local foundations and you can find these at the library. Most states and local communities publish a pamphlet annually that includes information about local foundations and what they fund. Don't limit yourself to your small local areas, also look at those in the nearest big cities.
A recent trend is to add a therapy program. If a group does add the therapy program your options open up a great deal. There are a large number of grants out there to support those doing therapy. Often organizations that provide dogs for the blind, or other handicap helpers have the information on where they get their funding on their websites because there is so much funding. You can also approach your local United Way, hospitals and other places where these children receive their treatment to see if they will support you. You will need to develop a relationship with them anyway to make your program a success and they may have funding to support programs started to assist their clients. Again, don't limit yourself to your small communities, check with nearby large cities. One thing they may require is that you become certified because of the liability and need for qualified programs. You may want to check out this page http://www.cha-ahse.org/railarticles/therapyprograms.htm, they have some good information. It may also be a good idea to join some of these groups for support and because they tend to share with their members new funding sources and they also have lower costs for insurance.
At the end of the day though funding is tight for everyone. Do NOT expect that your rescue will be able to support itself for years, if ever. There are some well established rescues out there that don't require their founders or officers to dig in their own pockets. Fewer still are the rescues that can actually pay their staff for their more than full time dedication.
I do know there are some folks out there that are working on these questions and programs that will help people who are dedicated to helping our horses. Hopefully one of those programs will be available soon. Trust that when they are launched I will post about them as soon as I know something for sure. Until then I hope that my answers help others on their personal and organizational journey to help these animals who so desperately need our support.
Hello Shelly, I happened across your blog by accident one day and thought who better to ask this question than yourself. I am the happy owner of 2 QH geldings they are mine I love them unconditionally. BUT, in my family of horsey lovers there is a total of 11 horses, we have acquired through various ways. These lovely animals are cared for by my sister mother, niece, and myself. I really think we should be doing something in the way of the horse rescue as all of them came with issues, and have in our care grown healthy. Now of course we would like to find good loving homes for some of them but not all, and in our passing have run across more that we would like to help but this is an expensive helping business we are in and have been doing such for several years now just out of the love of the equine. Long story short, could you assist me in how to start a rescue?
thank you for reading this and any help is greatly appreciated.
Sherri Hanson
Starting a rescue is one of the hardest and most rewarding thing anyone can do, but it isn't for everyone. Even if you have been rescuing horses yourself for a while, rescuing full time is much different. It can be emotionally devastating, time consuming and financially draining.
We have an article on our website that talks about starting a rescue that I think is well written and informative. We also have information on the site that will help guide you through incorporation and filing for non-profit status as well.
Some people think that the articles are discouraging towards opening a rescue, but those are the folks that are just starting out. Those who have been in the rescue business say that it doesn't begin to tell how hard operating a rescue is. So, I think it is a good balance. If you are discouraged by reading the article then you definately should NOT open a rescue. We have had far too many rescues fail because they shouldn't have opened their doors to begin with. That leave the established rescues to clean up the mess and deal with the fall out with donors who are now jaded and horses that have suffered yet again, even if the intentions were great.
The second most asked question is how can I find funding for my rescue. Basically, there is no correct answer to this one. EVERY non-profit in the world stuggle with this one and if anyone finds the answer there are thousands of non-profits that would like to know the answer. There is NEVER enough funding for everything. There are some things that work better than others though and I don't have a problem with sharing those tips.
The best way to raise funds are to hold fund raising events. These can be done if you are private or if you hold your non-profit status. Open houses (especially if you invite the media), pancake breakfasts, taco or spaghetti dinners, golf tournaments... are all great ways to raise funds with little upfront expenses. Raffles work, but only if done locally, those run on the internet usually lose money (even if you have GREAT prizes). As a matter of fact, raising money online rarely if ever works because you are competing with every other rescue out there. You can also solicit your members and supporters for annual support, for living trusts and bequests. These tend to come easier after you have your non-profit, but it is possible to get them without your status or on a pending application. You can also lay out an initial investment on items to sell on your website or at local events. Some work out really well, while others never make back their money. If you are doing this you may want to have items that are not specific to horses as you would reach a wider buying market. You can also make your website work for you with a Goggle Ad-words account, or advertising on your site.
Once you receive your 501(c)3 there are a few more options. You can then begin to apply for grants. Remember that you will be competing with all the other rescues for theses, so you will have to have great grant writing skills. There are VERY few foundations that offer grants to equine rescues, so most rescues don't share information about who they get their grant funds from. You will need to do your own searches and research to find these. Your best bet is with local foundations and you can find these at the library. Most states and local communities publish a pamphlet annually that includes information about local foundations and what they fund. Don't limit yourself to your small local areas, also look at those in the nearest big cities.
A recent trend is to add a therapy program. If a group does add the therapy program your options open up a great deal. There are a large number of grants out there to support those doing therapy. Often organizations that provide dogs for the blind, or other handicap helpers have the information on where they get their funding on their websites because there is so much funding. You can also approach your local United Way, hospitals and other places where these children receive their treatment to see if they will support you. You will need to develop a relationship with them anyway to make your program a success and they may have funding to support programs started to assist their clients. Again, don't limit yourself to your small communities, check with nearby large cities. One thing they may require is that you become certified because of the liability and need for qualified programs. You may want to check out this page http://www.cha-ahse.org/railarticles/therapyprograms.htm, they have some good information. It may also be a good idea to join some of these groups for support and because they tend to share with their members new funding sources and they also have lower costs for insurance.
At the end of the day though funding is tight for everyone. Do NOT expect that your rescue will be able to support itself for years, if ever. There are some well established rescues out there that don't require their founders or officers to dig in their own pockets. Fewer still are the rescues that can actually pay their staff for their more than full time dedication.
I do know there are some folks out there that are working on these questions and programs that will help people who are dedicated to helping our horses. Hopefully one of those programs will be available soon. Trust that when they are launched I will post about them as soon as I know something for sure. Until then I hope that my answers help others on their personal and organizational journey to help these animals who so desperately need our support.
Off Topic- Helping others
Today I got a press release from Ariat Boots that I found VERY interesting. If you don't know Ariat, they have a really interesting background and a very comfortable boot. Personally I own several pairs of them myself and LOVE how comfortable they are as well as the pretty styles. They can be a bit pricey, but if you watch for sales they can actually be one of the lesser expensive boots on the market. Frankly, in all my visits to DC, where you have to do alot of walking, the visits that I made in my Ariat boots were the best because at the end of the day my feet didn't hurt.
Anyway, enough of the unpaid promotion of Ariat. (Although if Ariat would like to pay me for my endorsement let me know and I will gladly accept payment. LOL) The press release follows as do my comments.
Anyway, enough of the unpaid promotion of Ariat. (Although if Ariat would like to pay me for my endorsement let me know and I will gladly accept payment. LOL) The press release follows as do my comments.
Ariat® International Donates to Soles4Souls™
Union City, CA – Ariat International, Inc. is proud to announce their donation of footwear to Soles4Souls as part of the company's charitable outreach program. Soles4Souls is a nonprofit organization that facilitates the donation of shoes to aid those affected by natural disasters worldwide such as Hurricane Katrina, the
Soles4Souls started with a tragic image that flashed across the television screen of Soles4Souls founder, Wayne Elsey - a single shoe lying on a desolate beach in the wake of the devastating Southeast Asian tsunami. This haunting vision prompted Elsey to ask, "What can I do to help?" With that one question, Soles4Soul was born with a simple mission: To impact as many lives as possible with the gift of shoes. Since January 2005, Soles4Souls has distributed more than three million pairs of shoes, in forty countries, on five continents.
"Ariat is proud to partner with Soles4Souls, an organization that significantly impacts the lives of those in need on an international level," said Beth Cross, President and CEO of Ariat International. "We hope that our support of Soles4Souls will motivate our colleagues in the footwear industry and more specifically the equestrian footwear industry, to join Soles4Souls in improving the lives of others 'one pair at a time'".
About Soles4Souls – "Changing the World, One Pair at a Time™."
Nashville-based Soles4Soul facilitates the donations of shoes, which will be used to aid the hurting worldwide. Shoe companies, retailers, and individuals can donate footwear (both new and used). Soles4Souls is a 501(c)(3) recognized by the IRS; donating parties are eligible for tax advantages. Call (866) 521-SHOE for additional information or visit www.soles4souls.org.
About Ariat International, Inc.
Ariat International, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of innovative performance equestrian footwear, apparel, handbags and belts. Featuring a patented technology designed to deliver stability, durability and comfort, Ariat pioneered the application of advanced athletic shoe technology into English riding boots and authentic Western boots. Ariat products are sold in a network of retail outlets throughout the world. For more information about Ariat products or for the Ariat retailer nearest you, contact Ariat at 800.899.8141 or visit www.ariat.com.
I know that I have a ton of shoes in my closet that I bought and never wore or wore once or twice and never wore again. I think that I am not alone in having shoes laying around. (Please don't tell me that I am the only woman out there that has a thing for shoes.) I like the idea that they can go to others who desperately need footwear.
I recall the images after Katrina when people came out of the flood waters without shoes on, the same with other disasters. I wondered how they managed not to suffer severe cuts or other injuries. I mean I tend to go barefoot ALOT (people keep telling me I am crazy to be in the barn and working around the horses with no shoes on or outside in the winter barefoot) but there is still a time and a place for shoes.
Please support this wonderful charity.
Friday, March 14, 2008
How Good Intentions Go Bad
I think that I can honestly say that most things people do is because they THINK it's the right thing to do. I think that honestly most public officials enter politics because they really do want to make things better. However, often times things go VERY wrong and the best intentions become the worst thing possible.
We can see this clearly through the Illinois state bill HB 4162. This is the Horse Transportation Bill that would originally outlaw the use of double decker trailers to transport horses in the state of Illinois. The bill was introduced in response to a horrific accident that killed and injured horses and blocked traffic on a highway for hours. The USDA, the AHDF, and many other humane organizations have long known and stated that the transport of horses in double decker trailers, even those modified, is inhumane. The bill was supposed to help protect horses being transported through and within the state of Illinois. What more noble intention is there than to make this state a more humane state?
With all these noble intentions and support for a wonderful bill, why then are we now not supporting the bill? Because somehow the intentions got thwarted and the intent of the bill was changed by a special interest group, specifically the Farm Bureau. The Farm Bureau has taken the position that transport in double decker trailers can be made humane and asked that an amendment be added to the bill that would allow double decker usage. However, it also made changes to the current way the law is written. Currently state law requires the transporter to PROVE that their method of transport is humane, the amendment would force the STATE to prove that the method is inhumane. The prosecutor would have to call humane experts, transport experts and equine experts in to testify in EVERY case. This would cause a burden to the prosecutors, a financial burden on the taxpayers and would basically prevent the law from being ever used, rendering the bill completely useless and actually even making it EASIER to use double decker trailers than it is today because it would allow drivers to argue that the trailer was designed for equine. As stated earlier, the USDA, the AHDF and many humane organizations have already determined that the use of double decker trailers is inhumane, EVEN IF THEY ARE MODIFIED. The USDA is even in the process of revising their regulations to ban the transport of horses in double deckers to locations other than a slaughter plant because it is so inhumane and transporters have taken advantage of the loophole in the current regulations.
In other words, the law that started out to protect the horses from inhumane treatment would actually end up hurting them more.
So, unfortunately we here at the AHDF can no longer support the bill. We join a number of other organizations in making that decision. We ask that if you live in Illinois you call your local Representatives and ask that they NOT support the bill and if they are a supporter that they withdraw their support. You can find your legislator by clicking here. It is vitally important that the bill not pass at this point. You can point out that the bill would place an undue burden on the taxpayer, that it would not prevent the inhumane treatment of horses during transport and could actually promote their inhumane treatment.
It is a tragedy that such a wonderful bill with such noble intentions has gone down this road. It is sad that so many people are motivated by a dollar that they cannot do the right thing without it being regulated. However, that is the world we live in and we, those who care about the animals who have no voice, MUST speak for them and protect them. Good intentions are great, but we must be ever vigil that they not be warped by others because it can and does happen.
We can see this clearly through the Illinois state bill HB 4162. This is the Horse Transportation Bill that would originally outlaw the use of double decker trailers to transport horses in the state of Illinois. The bill was introduced in response to a horrific accident that killed and injured horses and blocked traffic on a highway for hours. The USDA, the AHDF, and many other humane organizations have long known and stated that the transport of horses in double decker trailers, even those modified, is inhumane. The bill was supposed to help protect horses being transported through and within the state of Illinois. What more noble intention is there than to make this state a more humane state?
With all these noble intentions and support for a wonderful bill, why then are we now not supporting the bill? Because somehow the intentions got thwarted and the intent of the bill was changed by a special interest group, specifically the Farm Bureau. The Farm Bureau has taken the position that transport in double decker trailers can be made humane and asked that an amendment be added to the bill that would allow double decker usage. However, it also made changes to the current way the law is written. Currently state law requires the transporter to PROVE that their method of transport is humane, the amendment would force the STATE to prove that the method is inhumane. The prosecutor would have to call humane experts, transport experts and equine experts in to testify in EVERY case. This would cause a burden to the prosecutors, a financial burden on the taxpayers and would basically prevent the law from being ever used, rendering the bill completely useless and actually even making it EASIER to use double decker trailers than it is today because it would allow drivers to argue that the trailer was designed for equine. As stated earlier, the USDA, the AHDF and many humane organizations have already determined that the use of double decker trailers is inhumane, EVEN IF THEY ARE MODIFIED. The USDA is even in the process of revising their regulations to ban the transport of horses in double deckers to locations other than a slaughter plant because it is so inhumane and transporters have taken advantage of the loophole in the current regulations.
In other words, the law that started out to protect the horses from inhumane treatment would actually end up hurting them more.
So, unfortunately we here at the AHDF can no longer support the bill. We join a number of other organizations in making that decision. We ask that if you live in Illinois you call your local Representatives and ask that they NOT support the bill and if they are a supporter that they withdraw their support. You can find your legislator by clicking here. It is vitally important that the bill not pass at this point. You can point out that the bill would place an undue burden on the taxpayer, that it would not prevent the inhumane treatment of horses during transport and could actually promote their inhumane treatment.
It is a tragedy that such a wonderful bill with such noble intentions has gone down this road. It is sad that so many people are motivated by a dollar that they cannot do the right thing without it being regulated. However, that is the world we live in and we, those who care about the animals who have no voice, MUST speak for them and protect them. Good intentions are great, but we must be ever vigil that they not be warped by others because it can and does happen.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Off Topic
I just received an interesting email that contained a link I thought people might be interested in.
The link is http://www.earthhour.org/user/lUtK
Basically, the site will ask you to sign up to participate in an Earth Hour event. They are asking that people turn off their lights for an hour at 8 pm March 29th. The event is sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund.
The site also has some tips to help the environment, so even visiting the site may give you some ideas you can do at home to help reduce our footprint on the environment.
I am signing up and plan on turning off our lights and I hope others will join me.
The link is http://www.earthhour.org/user/lUtK
Basically, the site will ask you to sign up to participate in an Earth Hour event. They are asking that people turn off their lights for an hour at 8 pm March 29th. The event is sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund.
The site also has some tips to help the environment, so even visiting the site may give you some ideas you can do at home to help reduce our footprint on the environment.
I am signing up and plan on turning off our lights and I hope others will join me.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Donkey's in China needing help
I received an email from a very impassioned lady in Australia who cares deeply about donkeys. She sent me the following information and I thought we have some great folks that read this who would be willing to help, so I am passing along the information.
I would like to note that they are asking for very POLITE letters. I know how horrible the following information is, but let's just remember none of us want to start a diplomatic problem. So, please remain calm and reasonable in your letters, but let's also not let them off the hook for these horrible atrocities.
Re the donkeys I have been in contact with a number of agencies and in addition to long term projects being run in China
I would like to note that they are asking for very POLITE letters. I know how horrible the following information is, but let's just remember none of us want to start a diplomatic problem. So, please remain calm and reasonable in your letters, but let's also not let them off the hook for these horrible atrocities.
I wish to draw your attention to two accounts from Animals Asia Foundation operating from
The first is from Jill’s blog and relates to the treatment of donkeys at the live animal market in Maoshan
http://www.animalsasia.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry080208-224644
The horrors of Maoshan - part 2
Friday, February 8, 2008, 10:46 PM
The market also doubles as a slaughterhouse - a round metal drum with orange spikes used for "de-furring" the cats and dogs sits just outside a burning cauldron that will be cooking their meat for customers towards lunchtime.
Close by, truck after truck piled high with white goats begin arriving at the market, while donkeys are being dragged out of sheds and loaded into cages, trucked off to be slaughtered elsewhere. Frightened and exhausted, several have no strength to rise to their feet and the traders kick them in the stomachs and beat their backs with metal poles until they can stand the agony no more and rise on shaking legs. Even then, the abuse continues and the traders continue beating them and grabbing their tails, painfully twisting them into knots, and forcing the donkeys to climb up the metal ramps into the cages.
The second relates to the upsurge of the ‘spectator sport’ of horse fighting. Below is the position paper form Animals Asia
http://www.animalsasia.org/index.php?module=6&menupos=2&submenupos=4&lg=en
| Horse fighting |
| Animals |
| February 2008: Animals Asia investigators first witnessed the horrific spectacle of “horse-fighting” back in 1997 when we visited |
| |
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