Why We Exist
Horse slaughter is a big industry in Alberta, with horse meat exported to Europe for human consumption, or live horses exported to Japan to be slaughtered for sashimi, a delicacy. Yet often horses that end up at the slaughter plant were once family pets, or someone’s riding or performance horse. We help people who have to surrender their animals due to a dire change in their personal circumstances: death, divorce, and financial hardship force people into very limited choices in trying to find a home for their horse, especially if it is older or unsound. Other than selling the animal quickly at auction, where it will most likely go for slaughter, euthanizing their horse can be the only alternative. Most certainly for those facing these difficulties, being able to give their horse to the Rescue is a big weight off their shoulders; they know the horse will be well looked after and, where possible, placed into a suitable permanent home.