Action Alert Part Two: Safe Act at Risk

 Sept 27, 2022

As recently reported in our Action Alert: Part One -   Last week during a Committee Meeting, the Safe Act H.R.3355 was essentially dropped from the upcoming markup calendar, and as a result it may never make it to the house floor for a vote this session. The Committee had received letters from leaders of large member pro-slaughter orgs claiming strong opposition to the bill by their member base. Amongst groups submitting letters was the National Tribal Horse Coalition (NTHC). 

(See Action Alert Part One: Safe Act at Risk for information about the AVMA and AAEP letters and their contents.)

 

The National Tribal Horse Coalition (NTHC) is a group that formerly called itself the Northwest Tribal Horse Coalition. It was initially composed of members of the Yakama and Colville tribes in Washington, the Umatilla and Warm Springs tribes in Oregon, and Shoshone Bannock in Idaho and they were seeking approval for a slaughterhouse at Warm Springs where live horses from the reservations and beyond could be slaughtered. The meat and carcasses would be processed for nonhuman consumption and disposal.

As revealed in documents from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS), it holds grass roots meetings for the purpose of getting tribes to distribute information about horse slaughter in the U.S. to their congressional delegations.

The information about horse slaughter provided by USDA APHIS has been grossly misrepresented to American tribes and the falsifications are stacked one on top of the other.

As indicated per USDA APHIS, at least 50 tribal and tribal-organization representatives have been targeted through the help of USDA’s Senior Advisor to the Secretary for Tribal Relations, Janie Hipp. And, to insure that invited tribal leaders can attend the USDA APHIS meetings, APHIS’ Veterinary Services (VS) provides the funding for them to take part.

The distribution of misinformation provided to tribes by USDA APHIS began several years ago and has made an indelible mark on some tribal leaders’ viewpoints.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), which has the overall Federal trust responsibility for managing reservation rangelands, had been working with one of the five Northwest Tribal Horse Coalition (NTHC) tribes to fund a feasibility study and business plan for a slaughterhouse in Oregon, but it reportedly did not pencil out.

The NTHC (formerly known as Northwest Tribal Horse Coalition) was initially just a handful of tribes from the Northwest region of the US.  However, their movement rapidly expanded through the support of the DOI and USDA-APHIS.  In 2009 the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) was targeted by the DOI and together they held a joint conference and established a pro-slaughter resolution which remains the active policy today. Per their pro-slaughter resolution, the tribes of NCAI declared opposition to any/all anti horse slaughter acts and support for the DOI & USDA-APHIS' push to allow tribes to open horse slaughter plants within their jurisdiction. 

The back room deal between then Secretary of the US Department of Interior (DOI) Ken Salazar and the NCAI is revealed in the NCAI resolution.  The NCAI would accept  BIA funding from the DOI, specifically to manage the so-called overpopulation of horses. In turn the DOI/ Federal Government will support the NCAI Tribe's position opposing legislation that bans the slaughter of horses.

As we know, the leaders of governmental agencies, as well as large membership groups such as the AVMA, the AAEP and the NTHC, etc., oftentimes do not share, represent, or engage in activities that support the viewpoints and positions of the people they represent. None the less, they are able to control many things through the power that we, or former generations have invested them with.

“Formidable power is held by those with grazing rights, and when you consider the political power and influence of the western livestock industry it may come as no surprise to find government issued data revealing persuasive agency tactics, such as threats, or creative forms of bribery or misrepresentation. Tribes that are involved in livestock grazing stand much to lose if they don’t go along with the BLM rangeland policies," - Katia Louise, president, Wild For Life Foundation.

As exposed through the documentary film, “SAVING AMERICA’S HORSES: A NATION BETRAYED”, Agriculture and Forestry have threatened tribes with a loss of livestock grazing permits if they fail to implement management policies. In a statement made for the Confederated Umatilla Journal, a newspaper of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation; Range, Agriculture and Forestry Program Manager Gordy Schumacher warns Tribes that grazing permits are at stake. “Without implementation of a management policy by the end of 2011, livestock grazing permits may have to be canceled,” says Schumacher.

 "One of the biggest challenges in getting the truth out to the public is the constant misinformation propagated by supporters of horse slaughter and then circulated by the media," - Jay Coskie, VP Wild For Life Foundation. "Education founded on truth paints the real picture of history, and that's what SAVING AMERICA'S HORSES is all about " - Katia Louise.

"The governmental genocide that nearly wiped out America’s indigenous people now seems to have come full circle. The U.S. government is now wreaking havoc on one of man’s most treasured species, the horse, and victimizing Native Americans by attempting to coerce tribal people to do their dirty work and even take the fall.” 

In an effort to save, protect and preserve wild and domestic equines, as opposed to the
promotion of horse slaughter and widespread roundups throughout the American West, Wild for Life Foundation’s President, Katia Louise is calling on members of the public who care about the horses to join in a united stance for the horses with Saving America’s Horses by going to www.savingamericashorses.org and clicking on the join button, which will continue to raise awareness and provide ongoing education on this critical issue. Ms. Louise says, “Making your voice heard will ultimately bring this unjust, cruel and barbaric practice to an end.”

You can help put an end to the horrific horse slaughter trade by acting right now. Please show your united support for the horses and burros today by sharing the true facts and information with your friends, your family, and by contacting your state & local government representatives. 

It’s up to ALL of US to Stand Up for what’s Right. Do what you can to help make a difference and do it as often as you can.  

Stand in Truth. Stand strong. Stand Together.

~~~~~

  

Coming Soon!

SAVING AMERICA'S HORSES A NATION BETRAYED 

The 2022 release of SAVING AMERICA’S HORSES A NATION BETRAYED has been announced!  Get updates about the release, how to watch & take part on opening day!

Learn more

www.savingamericashorses.org

www.wildforlifefoundation.org

Reference: IN TRUTH OF WILD HORSES ON NATIVE LANDS AND TONGUE

Link to Action alert Part One: Safe Act at Risk

Get updates. Up next: Action Alert Part Three: Safe Act at Risk

Time is Running Out for America's Native Wild Horses & Burros

Per U.S. government data, at the turn of the 19th century there were over 2 million wild horses and burros on America's public lands. However, according to the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) own 2020-2021 estimate, the actual number of wild horses and burros on the open range has drastically declined by more than 96%.  Truth be known, this drastic decline was caused by The BLM, which is the same government agency that is charged by Congress to protect America’s wild horses and burros. In fact, according to the BLM’s most recent submitted report to Congress, BLM 2020 WHB Report, the BLM fully intends to severely diminish their natural presence in the wild to less than 98%.

As revealed by the BLM 2020 WHB Report, the BLM is complicit in their methodical plan of genocidal intent to wipe out the last 1.3% of America’s precious wild horses and burros through escalated violent roundups and permanent sterilization. (It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what happens when you sterilize the last 1.3% of any population.)

An extraordinary amount of evidence confirms that horses never totally died out in America although horses and burros were previously thought to have disappeared from the continent roughly 10,000 years ago. Substantial evidence demonstrates that the Equus species survived the ice age in America, the evidence of their continued presence has become too conclusive to deny. 

The History of the America's Wild Horses:

As documented in SAVING AMERICA'S HORSES A NATION BETRAYED, horses are in fact indigenous to North America. 

Through our history books we have learned that a variety of mixed breed DOMESTICATED horses were brought into North America by the Spanish, and that some escaped horses from those expeditions survived in the wild across parts of America. In today's world we oftentimes hear the BLM and other groups refer to the horses that continue to survive in the wild as "feral". As such they are then erroneously regarded as intrusive, exotic animals. However as E. caballus, we have since learned that they are not feral after all.

A 2008 report by *Jay F. Kirkpatrick, Ph.D. and Patricia M. Fazio, Ph.D. brings to light many of these facts, as well as molecular biology and studies based in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) that prove E. caballus originated approximately 1.7 million years ago in North America and that E. caballus is genetically equivalent to the modern day horse.

Jay F. Kirkpatrick, and Patricia M. Fazio have stated, "Based on fossil records, genus equus originated in North America about 4 million years ago and spread to Eurasia by crossing the Bering land bridge 2 to 3 million years ago. Following that original emigration, there were additional westward migrations to Asia and return migrations back to North America, as well as several extinctions of Equus species in North America."

"The wild horse in the United States is generally labeled non-native by most federal and state agencies dealing with wildlife management, whose legal mandate is usually to protect native wildlife and prevent non-native species from having ecologically harmful effects. But the two key elements for defining an animal as a native species are where it originated and whether or not it coevolved with its habitat. E. caballus can lay claim to doing both in North America. So a good argument can be made that it, too, should enjoy protection as a form of native wildlife."

* Jay F. Kirkpatrick earned his Ph.D. in reproductive physiology from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University, has studied fertility control for wild horses. He is the director of the Science and Conservation Center at ZooMontana, in Billings. Patricia M. Fazio, a research fellow at the Science and Conservation Center, earned her Ph.D. in environmental history from Texas A&M University. Her interests include reproductive physiology, the monitoring of wild horse ranges, and the evolution of equids.

The Threat of their Extinction has Become a Crisis Situation

Today's wild horses of America are losing their once protected native homes on America’s public lands and are now under extreme threat of extinction in the wild.

Statistics show that vast numbers of wild equines are disappearing from the American West. In the 19th century, more than 2 million wild horses, but  as reported there exists independent analysis of the Bureau of Land Management’s own data which indicates there may be fewer than 15,000 wild horses roaming freely/ untouched on public lands.

America’s wild horses have been denied any type of status or protection in the US. They are instead labeled “feral” which allows them to be legally harassed, shot, rounded up and hauled off to slaughter.

The BLM says that horses and burros are treated humanely during roundups. However, expert witness, Katia Louise, director of SAVING AMERICA'S HORSES A NATION BETRAYED, and founder, president and executive director of the Wild For Life Foundation has provided substantiated documentation and testimony to government officials proving just the opposite. 

"I have personally witnessed and documented  roundups by the BLM. I have seen them cause horses and burros unnecessary and unjustifiable pain and suffering. During roundups equines of all ages and sizes, both fit and unfit are chased indiscriminately by motorized vehicles and aircraft; they are forced to run for hours across miles of rough terrain under extreme weather conditions without rest or water. They are oftentimes roped and dragged, and even sometimes hit or run over by helicopters; and some are even chased off cliffs during the roundups. Bands of horses and burros are chased at high speeds into enclosed trap sites where horses often collide into the metal gates, and into one another. This egregiously cruel handling of horses and burros causes them tremendous suffering and pain." - Katia Louise

"Horses and burros sustain a multitude of injuries that occur during and as a direct result of the roundups including deep lacerations, abrasions, trachea injuries, and serious muscle skeletal injuries including fractures, broken necks, broken limbs, pelvis and spinal injuries. These injuries are ignored by roundup crew members. These injured and exhausted wild horses and burros are then crammed into trailers where they suffer further injuries including head trauma, ruptured eye globes, and shipping fever (a painful condition caused by aggravated stress and a lack of rest, water and food), and many of the equines go down and are then trampled by the others. Many horses and burros suffer languishing deaths during and as a result of the roundups. New born foals and weanlings often also suffer from multiple hoof sloughs where their hooves literally fall off while trying to keep up with their mothers during the roundups; surviving foals are force weaned too young; lacking the ability to eat or drink, these baby horses and burros languish in a slow cruel death."

More about the Indigenous Lineage of the Horse in North America

Many people don’t even realize that the genus EQUUS, today’s horses and burros are GENETICALLY THE SAME as those that lived in the U.S. before their presumed extinction.  However, modern day horses and burros – both wild and domestic are in fact indigenous to North America. 

Incontrovertible and indisputable fossil records and molecular biology evidence confirms that today’s Genus Equus (HORSES, BURROS and ZEBRAS) originated and co-evolved with the habitat of North America. 

Mitochondrial-DNA analysis has established irrefutable evidence confirming that modern horse, E. Caballus is genetically the same species which was reintroduced in 1519 by the Spaniards. (Source: Jay F. Kirkpatrick and Patricia M. Fazio, Natural History magazine, May 2008) 

Genus Equus, otherwise known as the modern day horse, donkey (ass) and zebra are the only survivors of the previously diverse family of 27 genera. Well established Paleontological evidence shows that Equus Lambei , otherwise known as the Yukon Horse is the most recent Genus Equus in North America prior to extinction and no evidence exists for the origin of E. Caballus anywhere, except North America.

Why is this important?

As a native species, wild horses compliment the natural environment of North America. They are in truth recognized by scientists for restoring rangelands, boosting biodiversity and helping to the return of a wide variety of plants and invertebrates to the lands where they roam. Scientists and conservationists have indeed found that the re-introduction of wild equines to open lands is a positive way to restore ecosystems and wildlife. Wild horses have been found by scientists for successfully rejuvenating vast landscapes in Britain.

In current times America's historic Mustangs find themselves targeted for extinction on their quickly disappearing and threatened Native home lands. As the remaining number of Wild Horses in the U.S. nears extinction, education and appreciation through the protection of Mustangs and Burros in the wild and natural sanctuary environments becomes tantamount to their survival as a species. America’s Wild Horses cannot be reproduced once they are gone.

Wild Horse and Burro Issue Background:

The 1971 Wild Horse and Burro Act is supposed to protect America’s wild horse and burro population from cruelty and harassment, however there is no enforcement of the law and the BLM has not been held accountable for the enumerable atrocities they have caused, and which continue to this day.

The BLM misleads the public by saying that wild horses and burros are over populating, starving and dying of dehydration out on the range, and they use this misinformation to justify their removal and killing.

The mislabeling and eradication of wild horses and burros on America’s public rangelands is a demonstration of ‘special interests’ and ‘government agency’ support for the competing economic value of commercial livestock and reveals certain agency defiance of their mandate to protect wild horses and burros, a native wild species known to have no economic value. 

Horses and burros are routinely labeled as an “invasive species” to justify their extermination. Without the enforcement of strong safeguards to protect wild horses and burros on tribal reservations and U.S. public lands they will continue to be targeted for violent expulsion through roundup, slaughter and even hunting.

The BLM claims to care for and protect our wild horses and burros on the range and in captivity, by touting the laws which are supposed to keep them safe from cruelty, harassment and death. However, in truth America's horses and burros need protection from the BLM. The mislabeling and eradication of wild horses and burros on America’s public rangelands is a clear demonstration of BLM's support for the competing economic value of commercial livestock and the BLM's defiance of their mandate to protect wild horses and burros.

Without a census, the BLM claims that the there around 90,000 too many wild horses and burros on the public lands. Based on the same, they have accelerated their cruel helicopter roundups this year.  Without protective intervention, the BLM intends to continue conducting their aggressively cruel roundups while at the same time implementing a combination of barbaric ovariectomies and permanent chemical sterilization activities as well.

~~~~~~

WFLF supports recognition of wild horses’ and burros’ rightful NATIVE status in the U.S. as WILDLIFE as it would yield protection for them under the law and likely force a new category for management considerations.

~~~~~~

Historical Cultural Relationships

These majestic icons have also helped to shape an important part of American’s History. The rich and colorful heritage shared between horse and man on the North American continent is deeply rooted in the close association of America's indigenous equines, and the early horses brought to North America by the Spaniards, and Native American horses whose legacy has been documented for centuries.

Spanish explorers also brought numbers of horses to North America during their expeditions. Genetic studies into some of the bloodlines of descendants of these horses have suggested that some are indeed associated with the acclaimed Colonial Spanish breeds which have been preserved through Registered Breeding Programs. However, not all wild mustangs have these markers.  Studies done on some Mustangs in New Mexico for example have indicated the Spanish marker was indeed found in at least one DNA report, however it was nearly drowned out by scores of other markers.

"The original horses brought to America by the Spaniards actually represent a very rich cross-section of breed types. Everything from Clydesdales to Irish and Shetland Ponies were brought from Spain to the Caribbean islands, where populations were increased before export to the mainland. In the case of North America the most common source of horses was Mexico as even the populations in the southeastern USA were imported from Mexico rather than the Caribbean. The North American horses ultimately came from this somewhat non-selected base." - Philip Sponenberg, DVM, PhD

Conquistadors first used the horses they brought to search for gold, then they used the horses to target Pueblo tribes including the Navajo and the Apache for slavery. Eventually, during the Rebellion of 1680, the Pueblo tribes drove the Spaniards out of their homelands and back to what later became Mexico and Texas.

Despite the violent exploitation and mass killing of America’s Mustangs and the U.S. government’s denial of their indigenous lineage in North America, the history of America's horses' uninterrupted existence over time has indeed survived through traditional Native American ceremonies. Their sacred legacy has been preserved by numbers of traditional tribal people and spiritual leaders whose ancestors were forced to flee from encampment of the U.S. government prison camps and mass assimilation. Only in recent times after the ban of Native American religious ceremonies was lifted by the U.S. government, has the celebration of Native American sacred ways revealed what many now believe to be the cohesive existence of North America’s historic and indigenous equines.

With reference to the Navajo Nation for example, a look back into history around the year 1868, when the Navajo Treaty was signed with the U.S. Government, we learn that there were approximately 80,000 horses and burros on the Navajo reservation at that time. However, significant developments in the way life would be governed for the Navajo people took a toll on both the people and their horses. In the beginning of the 1880’s, the US government mandated an abolishment of the Native American ceremonial practices and spiritual beliefs; in essence their connection and celebration of their own heritage became illegal for them to acknowledge.

Over time valuable minerals were sought by the US Government, and U.S. councils were created such as the BIA, to represent the Navajo people and their interests in land and livestock matters. Mirroring Bureau of Land Management (BLM) activities on public lands, grazing permits were developed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) in 1930 and it was established that the majority of the Navajo land would be held in trust by the BIA. During this same time period, U.S. Government mandated the mass-killing of horses and livestock owned by the Navajo people. U.S. Government officials were known to come onto the reservation and shoot horses and sheep, often right at their owner's homes. The carcasses were left to rot.

An Urgent Call for Unity

WFLF is calling on all Nations of people, all groups, from all walks of life to come together, to put their differences aside and join together in a show of unity on behalf of the horses & burros in America and around the world.  What's happening in the U.S. is happening in other countries as well, and in some countries it's even worse. Achievement of federal protection for equines in America will help pave the wave for equine protection around the world.  We are all connected in this great world that we share.  Together we can make a real difference, today and for generations to come. 

You can show your support for unity on behalf of the horses and burros in America, and around the world with a simple pledge.  If you find yourself moved to do more, we welcome you to share your inspiration and discover other ways that you can make a difference.  Join the SAVING AMERICA'S HORSES United Voice for Change today.  Stand in truth, help stop the suffering and the killing. Say no to roundups and slaughter today. Take a Stand.

Learn more:

www.SavingAmericasHorses.org

Stand with Us ~ Stand With The Horses

SAVING AMERICA'S HORSES in the lifesaving & educational program under the Wild For Life Foundation (WFLF). The program strives to raise awareness and save lives through its Wild Horse and Burro Preservation Mission and its Anti-slaughter Mission, in order to protect America's wild & domestics equines, as part of the natural ecosystem and educate people about the need for their protection and preservation.

www.WildForLifeFoundation.org

The dark side of social media and its impact in the world of animal protection

November 15, 2018

The Wild For Life Foundation has become aware of bad faith deterrence of the organization's exempt purpose. The offenders are a small group of individuals -- who refuse to identify themselves and use aliases and cyber technology to obtain sensitive information about unsuspecting social media users, then expose them to offensive domains where false and deceptive information is promoted together with messages of violence and hate crimes.

The Wild For Life Foundation has stepped up security measures and reported the activities to authorities. Investigations are ongoing.

In July 2018, Wild For Life Foundation celebrated its 10th anniversary of success in awarding winning charitable services and impeccable compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and operational policies. Wild For Life Foundation continues to dedicate its hard-earned resources toward advancing our valuable and lifesaving animal protection missions.

Click here for more public interest posts.
Click here to learn more about the Wild For Life Foundation and our charitable mission.

Untold numbers of California's horses and burros disappear every day - where do they go?

Did you know? - In California it's a felony for any person in the state to possess, transfer, receive, or hold a horse (defined to include ponies, donkeys and mules) with the intent to kill it, or have it killed, where the person knows, or should have known, that any part of the carcass will be used for human consumption.

Did you know that despite the passing of CA PENAL § 598c in 1998, untold numbers of California's horses and burros are butchered alive on bloody slaughterhouse floors to this day?

Where do you believe the breakdown in the legal system occurs that sadly enables protected CA horses and burros to be slaughtered?

Like Saving America's Horses on Facebook to share your thoughts and follow this topic

Learn more about CA PENAL § 598c:

Learn more about horse slaughter in the U.S. and the need for a Federal statute that will protect America's wild and domestic horses and burros from this barbaric practice: http://www.savingamericashorses.org/
http://www.wildforlifefoundation.org/duped.html http://www.wildforlifefoundation.org/education.html http://www.savingamericashorses.org/legislation.html

Take the Pledge - Stand United for the Horses

Saving America's Horses is a lifesaving mission and educational project under the Wild For Life Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit charity dedicated to saving, protecting and preserving wild and domestic horses and burros through rescue, sanctuary and education. Federal ID No. 26-3052458

Rally to Aid Horses and Burros saved from slaughter

Dear Friends,
Every day we work with dozens rescue horses and burros that have nowhere to go were it not for Wild For Life Foundation’s (WFLF) Equine Rescue and Sanctuary program. Good Samaritans, volunteers and caring community members have made it their mission to support our nonprofit organization’s efforts to rescue and save these animals from unspeakable cruelty and life threatening danger. WFLF is a purely volunteer-driven organization, which means we have limited resources to do the work we do. When the animals arrive at our doors, most have suffered and are in need of immediate medical care, and although our vets work at negotiated rates, some of our animals require extensive

medical care. Other absolute costs include primary care, shelter and quality hoof care. 
Yet hay and feed costs are the highest core expense, and as you may know, horses and burros really love their hay!

Equine rescue and sanctuary programming is extremely costly to operate and funding is limited. We know there are a lot of other ways that you can choose to invest your money, but when you choose to support our lifesaving mission you're helping to make the continued protection and quality care of these precious animals possible, and the animals we serve thank you.

WFLF's documented track record and financials demonstrate our  long standing and impeccable record of high quality animal care, transparency, efficiency  and compliance. Our all volunteer animal rescue and caretaker team work around the clock, 7 days a week to serve the needs of these  rescue animals. Our administrative staff are also volunteers.  These time tested best practices have enabled us to run our programs at an average efficiency of about 97%. 

We are more than grateful to our faithful board of directors who have dedicated their lives to our mission, and the many volunteer rescue helpers and supporters who love these animals as much as we do and who have also contributed and given their time freely as often as they can. We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.

We implement a strict no-breeding policy and strive to sustain operations through charitable fundraising and successful placement of adoptable animals into new loving homes. These management strategies have enabled us to steadily expand over the years, from saving just a few animals annually to more than one hundred during peak years and in times of equine crisis. 

We currently care and provide for an average of 25 -30 rescue horses and burros and need to raise about $8,000 each month just to operate. (learn more)  Animal care and shelter costs are absolute and ongoing for the life of the animals we serve.  Every contribution makes an impact, whether you donate $5 or $500. Click now to make a gift online, by mail, or text to give. 

Another way to help is through pledging monthly support. Monthly giving is the easiest and most effective way to support this lifesaving mission. Our monthly donors help assure a consistent, reliable income stream that allows us to tackle whatever case may come through our doors. 

You can also make a difference by sharing information about our charity with your friends and family. 

As always we thank you from the bottom of our hearts – we are truly humbled by the love we've received and your continued vote of confidence in the work that we do. 

Much Love – Yours for the horses, 

Katia Louise, volunteer director
Wild For Life Foundation

PS - From now through the end of the year, when you make a gift of $15 or more online, you will receive a beautiful photograph and personal profile of one of the horses whose lives are being transformed by your kind and compassionate donation.

Wild For Life Foundation is a fully active and compliant 501(c)3 nonprofit charity dedicated to saving, protecting and preserving wild and domestic horses and burros through rescue, sanctuary and education. Contributions are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by law.  EIN 26-3052458

A Message from Katia Louise, the Filmmaker of Saving America's Horses

Dear friends,
I'm humbled to bring you this update about Saving America's Horses, what the latest is regarding the issues and tell you a little more about the this film, how it came about,  and what's happening behind the scenes on the project itself as we continue to move forward in our mission to protect horses and burros.


PRODUCTION, RELEASE AND DISTRIBUTION: Research and investigation into the issues that this film centers on first began in 1998 and has continued through and into the production phase of this film which began in 2009. The first festival cut of this educational documentary film project was released worldwide in 2010 through the Los Angeles Women's International Film Festival where it won BEST DOCUMENTARY FILM. Subsequent festival cuts of the project were released thereafter through multiple festival screenings where the film won numerous international awards including BEST ENVIRONMENTAL FILM in Canada.

The film project was then completely remastered and reformatted in conformance with ST 428-2:2006 D-Cinema Distribution Master requirements as set by the ACADEMY OF MOTION PICTURE ARTS AND SCIENCES for Academy qualification and was then released with Oscar consideration and exhibited through BI-COASTAL THEATRICAL RELEASE in 2012.

This full length feature documentary film project has also privately screened at numerous educational venues across the country. The theatrical version of the full length film has recently been remastered and updated with new footage, current data and statistics, and is ready to go to the next level. A 10 minute featurette version of the film is also available in multiple formats for licensed short programming purposes. A series Advocacy Videos have also been produced through a compilation of excerpts from the film, and these remain available online WFLF’s websites and social media forums as educational tools for the benefit of the horses. 

Many other multimedia educational tools and materials have also been created through select data, images and excerpts from the film project to raise awareness and educate the public about the issues as that have sadly continued to threaten America's equine population as a whole.

ABOUT OUR CAST, TEAM AND CREW: It has been a great honor to serve America's at risk equines through this multimedia educational program. Many of the nation's finest and most devoted equine welfare professionals and experts joined together through the making of SAVING AMERICA'S HORSES, and they graciously have contributed in many ways. Many of these experts have been deeply involved in this cause for over 25 years.


SAVING AMERICA'S HORSES is an independent educational film project under Wild for Life Foundation (WFLF), a Federally registered and fully compliant 501c3 all volunteer nonprofit organization dedicated to saving, protecting and preserving equines. As a small grassroots charity, WFLF raised much of the needed funds to pay for the essential costs for production and release of the film during the various phases of distribution. Priority has been placed on benefiting the welfare, safety and protection of America's horses in every step along the way.

On a personal note, my role in the production of the film first began when I seeded the project while working as a teaching and performing artist, and doing small roles in film and TV projects. Although I have worn many hats in the process of making this film as an independent filmmaker, I have done so as a volunteer, without expectation or receipt of compensation for my time or services. I have humbly served on behalf of this and the other projects and programs under WFLF as a volunteer since the beginning. This has been part of my vow, my way of giving back to the animals and to our mission as a devoted animal advocate and animal welfare professional. -- All said however, my humble contribution represents just one of many contributions, or links if you will; links-in-a-chain of reputable individuals and organizations that have come together over the years and contributed to the completion and release of SAVING AMERICA'S HORSES; which would not have been possible without the full support of our dedicated and extraordinary cast, crew, and loving, devoted and compassionate donors..

Saving America's Horses tells the story of courage, honor and betrayal in a country divided, inspiring great hope for the protection for all horses and burros from cruelty. This powerful message speaks to the heart of this cause. Without unity, the pro-horse movement does not have the strength to stand up against the powerful deep pocket proponents of slaughter.

On behalf of WFLF and the dedicated team at Saving America's Horses, I urge all those who want to make a difference for the horses and burros, to stand in unity against the recent escalated efforts, the undermining devices, and misleading propaganda disseminated by the proponents of slaughter.

Make no mistake; this is a call to action for the full support of a united voice in the fight against horse slaughter, a cruel and barbaric practice that should have ended long, long ago.

Pledge now to stand united and to make your voice heard. Or, renew your pledge to show your support.  

RECENT ISSUE DEVELOPMENTS: America's horses and burros need your voice today. Tens of thousands of wild horses' and burros' lives are at stake! In May 2018, the Interior ordered BLM to empty out wild horse and holding corrals by selling 25 horses at a time with no questions asked to any buyer. Despite a prohibition on such cruelty by the Interior Appropriations Committee, the Interior Secretary has mandated that the horses must be sold. All BLM public holding facilities must comply, whether they like it or not.

As advocates in this ongoing fight for a win against slaughter, one of our biggest challenges has been and remains getting the truth out in the open. Timing is pivotal, with the ongoing elimination of our wild horses from the rangelands, from holding areas, and with the escalated push by foreign investors to reopen horse slaughter plants in the U.S., more and more horses are suffering the cruel death of barbaric slaughter. A united voice for the horses must be restored and maintained. Time is of the essence.

What most people don't realize is that the disinformation campaigns related to our mission are driven by deep pocket special interests who do NOT really care about the horses at all. No matter what you've heard, there is only one truth: horse slaughter is NOT humane euthanasia. Nor is it a "necessary evil".

When the value of life is reduced to the cost of a pound of flesh; cover ups can easily gain momentum, and precious ground can be lost when advocates are pitted against one another and lose track of the goal. However; when the dust settles strength can be found in one single moment of truth. And that moment has come.

WFLF and its Saving America's Horses educational project has stood the tests of time. We've come through the fire and we are still standing because our documentation is incontrovertible. 

It remains our chief objective at Wild For Life Foundation and Saving America's Horses to bring the truth to the public and to effect the changes needed for the protection and preservation of equines in America.

We are here for the horses and burros, and we've got the truth on our side.

With blessings of light, compassion for all, and in prayer for our horses,
yours sincerely,
Katia Louise
SAVING AMERICA'S HORSES
Volunteer Executive Director, Saving America's Horses, Wild for Life Foundation

STAND UNITED FOR THE HORSES AND BURROS

Open Letter from Ginger Kathrens

Open Letter from Ginger Kathrens: Our Wild Horses are Slaughter-Bound

Please contact your Congressmen now!
Appeared first on www.cloudfoundation.org

The threat to our public lands in the West is real. The Secretary of the Interior sees little value in preservation. Rather he seeks to maximize revenues from ever-expanding oil and gas and mining operations, while propping up the money pit known as welfare ranching.

So where does this leave America's wild horses and burros and other wildlife who rely on public lands managed by Interior's Bureau of Land Management (BLM), long jokingly referred to as the Bureau of Livestock and Mining? (The "joke" has become chillingly real.)

Interior has ordered BLM to empty out wild horse and holding corrals by selling 25 horses at a time with no questions asked to any buyer. These are wild horses who once roamed free at little cost to the public. It doesn't take a brain surgeon to diagnose the outcome for these helpless wild horses who have lost freedom and family and will now make the ultimate sacrifice. They will end up dying a horrific death in Mexican and Canadian slaughterhouses.

Despite a prohibition on such cruelty by the Interior Appropriations Committee, the Interior Secretary has mandated that the horses must be sold. All BLM public holding facilities must comply, whether they like it or not.

read more

Humane Advocate, BLM National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board
Director, The Cloud Foundation


Learn more
www.savingamericashorses.org

Wild For Life Foundation is an all volunteer nonprofit charity dedicated to saving, protecting and preserving wild and domestic horses in need. Fed ID 26-3053458

Congress Approves Protection from Slaughter for America's Horses through Omnibus Bill

March 22, 2018 - Washington, D.C, The Wild For Life Foundation (WFLF) commends the U.S. Congress, with special thanks to Senator Lisa Murkowski and Senator Tom Udall for their devoted support in maintaining protections from slaughter for America’s horses through the final Omnibus spending bill for 2018. The Omnibus just released by the House of Representatives continues prohibitions on destruction and sale for slaughter of healthy wild horses and burros, and maintains the ban horse slaughter through the defunding of USDA horse slaughter inspections, without which horse slaughter plants cannot operate in the U.S.

"We are especially grateful to Senator Lisa Murkowski and Senator Tom Udall for including wild horse protections in the Senate bill and insisting that they be contained in the final bill,” said Katia Louise, President Wild For Life Foundation.

In March 2017, the Interior Department asked Congress to lift long-standing prohibitions on the

destruction of healthy wild horses and burros and the sale of these animals for slaughter through the release of its 2018 budget. Had their budget request prevailed in the Omnibus bill, nearly 100,000 wild horses on public open ranges and in government holding facilities could have been killed.

Wild For Life Foundation and Saving America's Horses is dedicated to continuing our fight to save these majestic and historic animals  through hands on rescue, outreach, education and sanctuary. WFLF urges the public to beware of pro-slaughter proponents and their questionable practices as they continue their work against the protection of wild horses and burros from brutal killing and slaughter of mustangs and burros,

Founded in 2008, Wild for Life Foundation (WFLF) is an all volunteer nonprofit charity dedicated to the prevention of cruelty to animals with a focus on animal welfare and the protection of wildlife. We are dedicated to elevating life and healing through the prevention of cruelty to animals. WFLF works at the forefront of efforts to rescue and provide safe harbor for at risk animals, providing the space, natural habitat and quality of care which they deserve.

The WFLF is internationally recognized as a leader in animal welfare -- among our greatest concerns are victimized imperiled equines. We vigorously work to save, protect and preserve abused, neglected, displaced and slaughter bound wild and domestic equines, and educate to raise compassion and improve the standards of their protection. Fundamental to the core of Wild For Life Foundation’s animal protection mission is our commitment to assure safe harbor for each and every animal that comes through our doors. WFLF is a no-kill organization and will only consider euthanasia in cases of untreatable suffering. WFLF works in conjunction with law enforcement agencies and provides lifesaving rescue, urgent and primary care, rehabilitation, adoption and sanctuary for at risk wild and domestic equines in need. We accept equines of all breeds, ages, genders and disciplines.  Donations to the Wild For Life Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by law. Fed ID No 26-3052458

Learn more: www.wildforlifefoundation.org

Mustangs run free after narrowly escaping slaughter

This is a group of Mustang arrivals to Wild For Life Foundation's sanctuary program - WFLF MMRM circa 2014. These Mustangs, including three pregnant mares that had lost their safe and peaceful home in NM when their former owner lost its gratis lease, and had no other means to save them. If not saved through the WFLF, approximately 150 horses, whose lives were in imminent danger, would have shipped to slaughter.

This was their first time to run free after being rescued out of a feedlot and narrowly escaping slaughter. Three healthy baby foals (two fillies and a colt) were born within a couple weeks of their arrival to California at one of WFLF's wild horse sanctuary facilities. They have since grown into healthy happy youngsters.

Dozens of the horses were transported out of NM and placed in sanctuary homes in several other states. The last few remaining herd members were accepted into WFLF's family of rescued wild horses.

Learn more: www.wildforlifefoundation.org

Urgent Action Alert for the Mission to Save, Protect and Preserve Wild and Domestic Horses and Burros

Dear friends, colleagues, devoted humanitarians, horse and burro advocates, and loyal animal defenders,

The Wild For Life Foundation and Saving America’s Horses has become aware of malicious activities including the use of the internet to spread vicious and harmful rumors which are undermining our cause, the prevention of animal cruelty and the protection of wildlife and they are specifically targeting our lifesaving mission to save, protect and preserve wild and domestic horses and burros from slaughter, roundups, abuse, neglect and other forms of cruelty.  

These hostile and violent activities have sadly dishonored America's iconic and majestic horses and have seriously undermined the advancement of this mission by those who support it and by those who selflessly and tirelessly dedicate their lives to carrying out this important mission.  

The Wild For Life Foundation and Saving America’s Horses remains fervently dedicated to our cause to prevent animal cruelty and protect wildlife.  Our grassroots, all volunteer charity is working around the clock to provide quality care for at risk wild and domestic equines and  to save and protect them from slaughter, roundups, abuse, neglect and other forms of cruelty through rescue, sanctuary, education and advocacy. We stand vigilant against those who threaten the safety and welfare of the animals we serve.  We are also taking an active stance in effort to fight against malicious activities that threaten our organization, its mission and the animals we serve, especially wrongful actions promoted by individuals or members of hate groups, and those whom deceptively disguise themselves as good Samaritans, animal lovers and or even false victims.

Please share this message far and wide to show your support and to help us uphold our mission and to fight against these harmful activities that in truth undermine the very lives of the animals we all work so hard to save and protect.

Click here to report suspicious activities. 

Anonymous reports are welcome.

Thank you.

The Team at Wild For Life Foundation and Saving America’s Horses

www.WildForLifeFoundation.org

www.SavingAmericasHorses.org

Assault on America’s Refugee Rescue Horses

BREAKING NEWS

Wednesday, January 18, 2017, Riverside, CA – Wild For Life Foundation (WFLF) equine rescue and sanctuary facilities were ambushed by a hostile group of approximately 20 - 30 individuals.   Riverside County Sheriff Department dispatched three Sheriff Units in response to WFLF's call for help.

The Wild For Life Foundation would like to thank the Riverside County Sheriff Department for their protection.

The offenders brought along a journalist, and with cameras rolling, blatant claims of alleged  wrongdoings were made by members of the group against WFLF, parroting false allegations based on nonsensical hearsay.  

In response to claims of alleged wrongdoings, WFLF went on record with a statement that all such allegations are vigorous disputed and unequivocally denied.

Officers from the Riverside County Sheriff Department escorted the trespassers off WFLF's sanctuary facilities and told the hostile group to vacate the area.

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Wild for Life Foundation (WFLF) is a federally registered grassroots volunteer based nonprofit charity established for the prevention of cruelty to animals with a focus on animal welfare and the protection of wildlife. Among our greatest concerns are imperiled wild horses and burros, abused, neglected and slaughter bound wild and domestic equines, and inadequate standards of protection for America’s equine population as a whole. We vigorously work to save, protect and preserve abused, neglected, displaced and slaughter bound wild and domestic equines, and educate to raise compassion and improve the standards of protection for America’s equine populations as a whole.


Media Contact:
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Welcoming our newest arrival to WFLF's Wild Burro Rescue and Sanctuary

Wild For Life Foundation is pleased to announce its newest arrival! A new born baby wild burro saved! His mom was pregnant when she was captured from the wild. Wild burros are being rounded up and removed by from their native homelands in Highgrove, CA by County Officials to prevent them from being hit by cars and trains. The burros have been drawn to the busy streets where well-meaning residents and drivers have flocked to feed and water them. It’s been reported that number of burros in the area have already been struck and killed by cars.

"We extend our most sincere gratitude to our devoted supporters for helping us to save these precious lives," said Katia Louise of the Wild For Life Foundation. Wild burros are losing their once protected native homes on America’s public lands. As the remaining number of Wild Horses and Burros in the U.S. nears extinction, education and appreciation through the protection and observation of Wild Burros Horses in natural sanctuary environments becomes tantamount to their survival as a species. "America’s Wild Equids cannot be reproduced once they are gone."

The WFLF Wild Burro Rescue and Sanctuary Mission is dedicated to saving and preserving America's wild burros and assuring their protection from roundups and slaughter through rescue, sanctuary and education. WFLF is dedicated to saving and preserving America's wild burros and assuring their protection from roundups and slaughter. Sanctuary placement for these government captured/ unreleasable and unadoptable wild donkeys is helping to preserve their vital social and family structure which is so important to their preservation as a species. Charity missions like the ‘WFLF Wild Burro Rescue and Recovery Mission’ help raise awareness and essential funds to aid at-risk wild burros that need urgent care and safe harbor after losing their freedom, their homes and their families during
roundups. Wild For Life Foundation (WFLF) is a Federally registered tax exempt charity: ID# 26-3052458. Donations are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by law. Click to support this cause. Background: Mar 2016, Highgrove Wild Burros Find Sanctuary after Losing their Range-land Homes http://wflf.blogspot.com/2016/03/highgrove-wild-burros-find-sanctuary.html Dec 2015, Wild For Life Foundation Launches Wild Burro Rescue and Recovery Mission http://wflf.blogspot.com/2015/12/wild-for-life-foundation-launches-wild.html

Foundation fights for lives of risk horses and burros

At risk horses and burros caught in the crossfire after losing their freedom, their families and nearly losing

their lives.  These innocent horses and burros, saved from cruelty, roundups and slaughter each have a story of hope, survival and courage to tell and they are counting on caring and compassionate people like you to share their stories, help keep them safe, and encourage others to say NO to animal cruelty and abuse.

"Together, we are their voice and their voice must be heard," says Katia Louise, founder and president of the Wild For Life Foundation.  Katia  
has dedicated her life's work to the protection of America's horses from horrific cruelty, savage brutality and barbaric genocidal abuse.  Katia is also the filmmaker of "Saving America's Horses" the acclaimed lifesaving  and international award winning documentary movie. Katia and WFLF's dedicated team of volunteer rescuers work tirelessly everyday in the trenches, evacuating cruelty victims to safety, nursing their wounds, providing them nutritious food and tender loving care. But they cannot do this lifesaving work alone. You can make a difference in the individual lives of America's at-risk and victimized equines who desperately need help right now, by pledging your support today.  Please help end the suffering will help to save countless lives by taking part. Stand with us to end equine cruelty.

Cochise is a wild Navajo Mustang who was captured during brutal US government sponsored roundups. He lost his freedom, his native homelands, his family and nearly lost his life to barbaric slaughter. WFLF saved his life and evacuated him to safety where he was reunited with his closest family members. Cochise and his family's recovery continues on a daily basis through the charitable Wild Horse and Burro Rescue and Recovery Mission of the Wild For Life Foundation (WFLF), a 501c3 volunteer charity dedicated to saving, protecting and preserving wild and domestic equines.

WFLF's rescue and sanctuary program provides lifesaving aid to at-risk and victimized horses and burros like Cochise and his family that have nowhere else to go. Tax deductible contributions made to WFLF pay for lifesaving transport, vet medical care, nutritious hay and safe and peaceful housing. Donations can be made online, or by mail in any amount, and will help save lives today.

"The ongoing influx of calls for our emergency rescue services means that Wild for Life Foundation is constantly stretched in our ability to effectively respond to crisis," adds Ms Louise.  "Without crucial funding, there have been occasions when we could not save animals in dire need.  Therefore it is with great urgency that we make this plea for your continued support."

Take part by sharing, forwarding, cross-posting and make a difference in the life of a rescue horse or burro today by giving what you can. No gift is too small.  Thank you

www.WildForLifeFoundation.org
FED ID No. 26-3052458