BREAKING: 77 House Reps Sign Letter Demanding Humane Treatment of Wild Horses, Burros

The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

When wild horse advocates allies band together, we can move mountains — or at least make them safer for America’s wild horses and burros. This month, 77 members of U.S. Congress, from both sides of the aisle, called for humane wild horse management in the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) House Appropriations legislation.

In the language submitted, they have requested the following: 

• The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) spends no less than 10% of its budget on humane fertility control in at least five herd management areas (HMAS).
  • If the BLM fails to implement acceptable fertility control programs within 120 days of the bill’s passing, it will incur a $100K reduction in program funding per day until it does so.

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Why accountability matters: This isn’t the first time Congress has directed BLM to spend up to $11 million on humane fertility control programs. Despite this, the BLM continues to round up tens of thousands of wild horses and burros and funnel them into overburdened federal holding facilities, while historically spending less than 1% of its budget on humane fertility control.

Our advocacy in the federal government represents some of the most impactful work we do. The support by nearly 80 representatives is a clear indication that Congress shares our frustration with the BLM’s failure to reform its inhumane and unsustainable program We extend a special thank you to Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), Steve Cohen (D-TN), and David Schweikert (R-AZ) for leading the bipartisan effort to end BLM’s cruel, costly helicopter roundups.

Additional requests contained in the bipartisan letter: 

• Prohibit the use of funds for ovariectomy procedures
• Direct studies considering humane alternatives to helicopters
• Stop cash incentive payments for adoptions
• Identify HMAs and Herd Areas that could be redesignated for relocating horses as an alternative to off-range holding
• Maintain the prohibition on the sale or adoption of healthy wild horses and burros that results in their destruction.

Meredith, our important work on Capitol Hill is powered by grassroots advocates like you. YOUR donations ensure we have the resources to expose federal agencies’ lack of accountability, educate elected leaders, and effect much-needed change for our wild herds. Can you chip in a contribution today to power this vital work? 

We are determined to hold the BLM accountable for continued inhumane and costly taxpayer-funded helicopter roundups. Thank you again to our legion of bipartisan support in Congress, and to YOU for following our fight to conserve our wild wild horses and burros.

Onward,

American Wild Horse Conservation