Draft of LOI for the ASPCA

April 7, 2010

(WILL BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY)

To Whom It May Concern:

Habitat for Horses, located in Hitchcock, Texas, is one of the largest equine rescue and protection organizations in the United States. Every year, Habitat for Horses affects the lives of thousands of horses through owner education, rescues, seizures, rehabilitation and foster and adoption programs. Habitat for Horses seeks funding to hire a professional trainer for the three-month period from July, 2010 through September, 2010 to increase the adoptability of recently rescued equines, and the increase the likelihood that adopted horses remain in their forever homes.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) is an excellent partner for Habitat for Horses’ training and adoption initiative because this program matches the ASPCA’s dedication to finding safe, compassionate new homes for adoptable animals.

Horse abuse takes many forms and occurs for many reasons. Lack of knowledge, a change in finances or circumstances, or the desire for power and control can lead to dangerous situations for equines. Legalized abuse in the form of facilities that breed mares to produce urine to create pharmaceutical drugs, and domestic and foreign slaughterhouses are some of the biggest challenges facing the American equine industry.

Huge progress was made towards ending slaughter and abuse of American horses with the closing of the three major slaughterhouses in the United States in 2007, and the introduction of H.R. 503, Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2009, in January, 2009. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) defines an unwanted horse as a horse of any age or health level that, for any reason, is no longer wanted by its owner or no longer has a permanent home. Unfortunately, the AVMA estimates that an additional 2700 rescues and sanctuaries will be necessary to assimilate the thousands of unwanted horses that would have been shipped to slaughter each year.

Habitat for Horses seeks to educate those who abuse or neglect their equines, and offers a viable alternative: placing the horse in a safe, secure environment. By expanding our adoption program and increasing the number of horses that can be safely rehabilitated and retrained for placement in permanent homes, Habitat for Horses can do its part to reduce the additional burden of unwanted horses in the United States.

California Senator Dean Florez introduced a Senate Joint Resolution on February 10, 2010 to encourage the passing of H.R. 503. We are on the verge of finally enacting laws to help protect America’s equines, and it is critical now more than ever that our adoption program is able to operate to its fullest potential to care for and defend the safety of as many horses as possible.

Habitat for Horses is uniquely positioned to continue to make a difference in the lives of hundreds of horses and owners. Habitat for Horses was incorporated and received non-profit status in 1998, and was merged with Lone Star Equine Rescue in 2005 to become one of the largest horse rescues in the region and in the country. There are currently over 150 active volunteers who support the organization, and over 3000 members worldwide who contribute to the continued success of Habitat for Horses.

Since 1998, over 1200 horses have been taken in or cared for by Habitat for Horses. Approximately 50% of horses who are placed in foster homes remain in those foster homes permanently, and over 95% of horses who are arrive at the farm are successfully placed in adoptive homes. The rate of horses that return to Habitat for Horses from their adoptive homes has continued to decrease.

Habitat for Horses is requesting $3000 to support the hiring of a professional trainer to expand the adoption program, and increase the rate of horses that remain in their adoptive homes. The project will involve hiring a professional trainer to work exclusively at Habitat for Horses for three months. The trainer will be able to work with eight to nine horses per month. The current average adoption fee for a rideable or lightly-rideable equine is $450. If the adoption fee of a horse with three months’ professional training could be raised by $200, the organization would generate an additional $1600 - $1800 per month in revenue. That amount could support hiring a professional trainer on a full-time basis.

We believe that our experience in horse rescue and adoption, and our community support make Habitat for Horses an excellent candidate to support the ASPCA’s continued mission of compassionate care and adoption. Please contact us if we can provide any additional information or to further discuss our qualifications, either via phone or e-mail. We look forward to the opportunity to present a full proposal for your review.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,


Habitat for Horses, Inc.