Horse shelter for Kentucky

The Kentucky horse industry has united to form the Kentucky Equine Humane Center, a new shelter and adoption service for unwanted horses of all breeds. The Kentucky Equine Humane Center’s mission is to provide humane treatment and shelter while working as a clearinghouse to seek adoptive homes for all of Kentucky’s unwanted horses, regardless of breed.

The Kentucky Equine Humane Center proposes to establish a first-of-its-kind equine shelter, much like animal shelters operated by local humane societies, in the heart of the horse capital of the world: Lexington, Kentucky.

“There are no such facilities that we are aware of in this country where you can bring your horses when you can no longer keep them,” said Lori Neagle, a co-founder of the ReRun retirement and retraining organization and also a KEHC board member. “Not only will the KEHC benefit the horses, but it will help many caring people who have unfortunate life circumstances that prevent them from keeping their horses and who have to give those horses up. When KEHC opens its doors, no Kentucky resident will be able to say he sent a horse to slaughter because he had no other choice.”

The center also is committed to educate the public and raise awareness for responsible equine ownership so that fewer horses end up in crisis. Its goal is to work with and serve as a model for organizations with the same mission in other states: to save America’s horses from needless destruction.

The KEHC is a non-profit organization and is in the process of applying for 501 (c) (3) status. Donations are tax-deductible and should be sent to the KEHC Fund at The Blue Grass Community Foundation, 250 West Main Street, Suite 1220, Lexington, KY, 40507.

Founding members are Meg Jewett, owner of Walnut Hall Ltd.; Kim Zito, the wife of noted Thoroughbred trainer Nick Zito; Joan Ciampi; Dr. Stuart Brown, DVM; Dr. Tom Daugherty, DVM; Carol Farmer; Staci Hancock; Judy McCarron; Lori Neagle and Sally Spielvogel.

According to Kentucky Congressman Ed Whitfield's office, more than 90,000 American horses were slaughtered in this country last year by three foreign-owned plants for human consumption overseas. In addition, some 35,000 more were exported for slaughter abroad.
“As a leading co-sponsor of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, I am so pleased with the establishment of the Kentucky Equine Humane Center,” said Whitfield. “Currently, many horses in the U.S. are sent to slaughter when they outlive their financial or sporting value. By creating a center dedicated to the rescue and humane treatment of horses, the KEHC will provide a needed alternative to the horrors of slaughter. Horses are part of our American heritage, and we should do all we can to provide them with the care and protection they deserve.”

The KEHC currently is seeking to lease a 50- to 60-acre farm in the Lexington area for its shelter facility, which would accept all equines in the state of Kentucky—including donkeys and mules—provided they have a valid negative Coggins.

There will be no fee for surrendering a horse, donkey, or mule to the KEHC, but donations will be encouraged and are greatly appreciated. No horse will be turned down for any reason, except lack of a valid negative Coggins. The KEHC will work closely with other rescue, retraining, and adoption organizations; breed associations; and other equine organizations to help find adoptive homes for Kentucky horses before humane euthanasia is considered.

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