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Euthanasia - Because our main mission, both as an organization, and
as human beings, is to end suffering where we find it, we do euthanize
animals that are mortally injured or sick with no hope of recovery.
We feel it is just as important to respect a horses right to leave
us, as it is to respect their will to live. We only euthanize
when it is absolutely necessary. We do not euthanize because of
space or money issues or because a horse may be lame or aged.
Wild Horses and Burros - Our umbrella organization, DreamCatcher
Wild Horse and Burro Sanctuary, takes in wild horses and burros
that have already been removed from the range with no hope of
return. Because of current BLM and Park Service policies, these
animals are in danger of one day disappearing from our public
areas. Within the next 4 to 5 years there will no longer be wild
burros in Death Valley and other parks because of the Park Services
aggressive campaign to remove them. These polices were initiated
when burros were labeled non-indigenous even though many of them
are direct descendents of the donkeys brought over with the Spanish
hundreds of years ago. DreamCatcher joined many other animal welfare
groups to form the Wild Horse & Burro Freedom Alliance to
try to put an end to the removal of horses and burros from their
native habitat in the wild. As wild animals they do not belong
in stables or backyards, by nature and by law they belong in their
natural habitat.
Back-Yard Rescues - Within the last few years we have
seen a huge increase in the number of small equine rescue start-ups.
While the people behind these start-ups are well meaning and work
very hard to place horses in new homes, thereby meeting immediate
short-term goals, we do not believe this new trend to be positive
or helpful in solving the reasons why horses need help in the
first place. Often, instead of educating the public about their
responsibilities toward the animals they have, the small rescue
provides an outlet for those wanting to dump an animal. The small
rescue often fails to understand the larger picture and instead
concentrates on the feel-good story of animal rescue. We encourage
those wanting to start a rescue to consider funneling their time
and monetary resources toward solving the issues through legislation
and regulation instead. Get political!
Foundation/Grants - Many foundations and grantors are
lured by the feel-good stories of direct rescue. While this may
help some animals in the short-term, we also believe some giving
policies encourage and even legitimize animal collectors who function
under the cover of a nonprofit. We believe animal foundations
and grantors need to participate in setting standards of professionalism
within the ranks of animal welfare/rights and ensure giving policies
cover and honor the long-term care of rescued animals by strengthening
legitimate and well run sanctuaries and animal placement facilities.
Sanctuary Accreditation - Because there are no laws that
demand or outline standards or quality of care regarding equine
rescues, the Equus directors participate in The Association of
Sanctuaries' efforts to set measurable standards of care. Standards
of care and the accreditation process will be used in the future
to assure foundations that the groups they fund are reputable
and clearly understand the issues that surround animal welfare.
Racing - Racing is in dire need of what Hollywood calls
a "makeover". Horses are being raced at younger and
younger ages. Youngsters are bleeding from undeveloped lungs pushed
beyond their capacity and instead of solving this problem the
obvious way - by not racing an animal until he or she is fully
developed - research money is poured into fixes through drugs.
In addition fragile bones and tissue are damaged, knees are blown
and the end result is a huge number of broken down horses standing
in line at auctions waiting to be bought by slaughter buyers.
If this is the sport of kings than we say its time for the kings
to go.
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