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Litigation Update: How we’re fighting for our wild herds in the courtroom

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

Our wild herds are safest in the wild, where they can roam free with their families. But thanks to the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) inhumane management policies, these innocent wild equines are being deprived of their right to live free on western public lands where they belong.

That’s why we’re working every day to put an end to brutal helicopter roundups and keep wild horses and burros out of overburdened holding facilities. Today, we’d like to tell you about some of the important legal work we do to protect our wild herds.If you can, will you chip in to help us power our Legal Fund and then read on to learn about how we’re fighting to protect wild horses and burros in the courtroom? >> 

FUEL OUR LEGAL FUND →

These wild animals cannot defend themselves in our legal system. That’s why we are dedicated to being their voice in the courts of law. And Meredith, when we sue, we win. 

We are currently in the midst of two intense legal battles in federal court. Most recently, we filed suit in Wyoming, continuing a decade-long litigation battle against the BLM over the agency’s plan to remove every single wild horse from the Great Divide Basin and Salt Wells Creek Herd Management Areas (HMAs) and drastically reduce the population of the Adobe Town herd.

AWHC filed a lawsuit against this plan because it would lead to the eradication of these herds without any scientific basis for doing so.Now the legal battle has reached its final stage, and we’re fighting with everything we’ve got to protect these iconic herds. 

Not only that, but we are also suing the BLM over the implementation of its controversial Adoption Incentive Program, which pays individuals $1,000 to adopt a wild, unhandled horse or burro. The BLM implemented this program without conducting any of the required environmental analyses that it was obligated to perform. We are currently waiting for a decision from the judge on whether the program was implemented illegally or not.

Another key aspect of our legal work is our in-depth investigations into the federal government’s actions and policies. One way we do this is by using the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) – a law that allows members of the public to request government records. However, frequently the agency either refuses to turn over documents or releases incomplete or excessively redacted records, forcing us to file a lawsuit to compel full disclosure of all requested records.

Right now, we have over 17 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuits open against the BLM and the U.S. Forest Service in order to compel them to turn over key records that will help us expose abuse, fraud, and waste within federal programs affecting wild horses.

FOIA has been critical to our investigation into the AIP and has proven that the program has funneled hundreds, if not thousands, of wild horses and burros into the slaughter pipeline.

This critical legal work is only possible with your support. When you chip in, your generosity enables us to be a voice for wild horses and burros in the courtroom. If you can, please make a contribution now to support our Legal Fund and help us continue to fight for these innocent animals in the courtroom.

FUEL OUR LEGAL FUND →

Thank you,

AWHC Team

Happy National Public Lands Day!

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

“There is nothing so American as our national parks….The fundamental idea behind the parks…is that the country belongs to the people, that it is in process of making for the enrichment of the lives of all of us.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt

Today is National Public Lands Day, a day celebrating the magnificent landscape that our nation’s beloved wild horses and burros call home.


Photo by Kimerlee Curyl

The conservation of our public lands — and the wildlife that inhabit them — is a proud statement of what Americans value. It’s a testament to our nation’s innate desire to protect what’s wild and free.

Currently, there are 640 million acres of federally protected land across the United States where elk trek the plains, eagles soar across the large western sky, and where wild horses and burros roam the rugged landscape.

But Meredith, our public lands, and our wild herds who inhabit them, are in danger. A century and a half ago, the U.S. supported almost two billion acres of public lands – nearly three times what it is today. 

And alongside this dwindling public landscape has been the systematic elimination of America’s wild horses and burros’ habitat. These federally protected animals now live on just 27 million acres of public lands in ten Western states. 

Worse, the federal government is determined to continue shrinking wild horse and burro populations even further as inhumane helicopter roundups continue, all while giving 97% of those lands — your lands — to the commercial livestock industry that has been lobbying for the removal of these innocent animals for decades and that wants to replace them with cattle and sheep grazing that we, the taxpayers, subsidize. 

We know that there is a better way to manage our nation’s wild horses and burros on public lands where they belong. That’s why we’ve been fighting day in and day out in the field, in the courts, and on the Hill to conserve wild horses and burros for generations to come and protect the lands they call home. If you’re with us, please share this graphic on social media and join our fight.

Happy National Public Lands Day!

– The American Wild Horse Campaign

THANK YOU!

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

Over the course of the last week, we asked you to step up and help fuel our efforts to document the federal government’s inhumane helicopter roundup and removals. And Meredith, you rose to the occasion. 

We set an ambitious goal of raising $30,000 to replenish our observation fund so we are able to continue deploying our humane observers to the remote corners of the West to photograph the federal government’s treatment of our beloved wild horses and burros. 

Well, I’m happy to report that thanks to your support, we hit our goal! From all of us at AWHC, thank you for your passion, generosity and dedication to protecting America’s wild herds.

Thanks to your support, we have the resources to send our observers to the BLM’s final three roundups of this season and ensure no mistreatment of wild horses and burros goes unrecorded. 

The record our humane observers create by documenting these operations gives us the fuel to fight for transparency and accountability within the BLM and allows us to inform and educate the media, and Congress about the inhumane treatment these beloved animals face.  

There’s still over a month left in the BLM’s summer roundup season, so there’s a lot more work to do. We’ll make sure to keep you updated on our efforts in the coming days and weeks.

With gratitude,

— Suzanne + the AWHC Team

Remembering Bubba

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

As you may recall, September is World Animal Remembrance Month. This time is dedicated to remembering all the animals who have touched our lives, but are no longer with us. 

In that spirit, we want to take a moment to honor Bubba, Wyoming’s famed curly stallion who recently passed away. 

We find solace in knowing that he died on the range, wild and free.

Bubba was one of the lead stallions of the Salt Wells Creek herd in the Red Desert of Wyoming. He was known as a ‘curly’, carrying in his genes some of the most unique DNA in the world that produces a crimped mane and curly coat.

In 2021, a large portion of Bubba’s family was torn apart when the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) conducted a large-scale helicopter roundup in the habitat he and thousands of other mustangs called home. Bubba survived the roundup and remained free, but unfortunately sustained an injury to his knee.

Bubba’s memory lives on, and his death strengthens our resolve to protect the family he has left behind. 

Attorneys on behalf of the American Wild Horse Campaign (AWHC) have filed suit against the BLM for its plan to eradicate the public lands that 43 percent of Wyoming’s wild horses inhabit. In fact, the BLM is planning on removing every single wild horse from the Salt Wells Creek herd, Bubba’s former home. We will not back down from this fight.

The AWHC has been involved in critical litigation for more than a decade against the BLM to protect these herds – and now we face the final showdown. We must do what we can to save these wild horses.

But we cannot do this critical work alone. In loving memory of Bubba and his legacy, will you please chip in to help support our litigation to keep horses like Bubba free? Your donation will go straight to work helping us save more wild horses and burros.

DONATE →

With the sadness of this beloved stallion’s passing, we press on.

The American Wild Horse Campaign

This Week’s eNews: Read Our Latest Roundup Reports From California and Colorado

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

We’ve got a lot to share with you in this week’s edition of eNews, including an action you can take to protect wild horses and burros on Capitol Hill, an insightful new op-ed from our Executive Director, Suzanne Roy, and the latest roundup reports from California and Colorado.

Read on to learn more! 

Tell Congress: Protect Wild Horses and Burros in the FY24 Spending Bill!

As we witness wild horses being rounded up and removed from public lands this summer, it’s important to remember that we have a key opportunity to advocate for humane reforms to the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Wild Horse and Burro Program in Congress’ Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 appropriations bill. Please take one moment to call on your members of Congress to support the language in this bill, which includes funding for humane, in-the-wild management strategies on behalf of our beloved wild horses and burros!

TAKE ACTION

Op-Ed: The best way to protect wild horses is through fertility control


Photo by Laurie Ford

Helicopter roundups are hugely expensive and inhumane, and because they don’t stabilize the population, they have to be done again and again. The best and proven way to protect wild horses is through fertility control. The best way to keep wild horses free on public lands is through fertility control. Wild horses deserve far better than cruel captures by helicopters, to then be placed in cramped government holding facilities. Read the latest from AWHC’s Executive Director, Suzanne Roy.

READ MORE

Report: Devil’s Garden Roundup Begins

On September 4, while many Americans were taking a day of rest and relaxation, the Devil’s Garden wild horses were being forcefully removed from their habitat on more than 278,000-acres of public land in California. AWHC was on site to bring you the latest.

READ MORE

BLM Colorado Conducts Final Removal of West Douglas Mustangs


Photo by WilsonAxpe PhotoAdvocacy

   The West Douglas Herd Area (HA) is situated in the northwest region of Colorado, just like the Piceance-East Douglas Herd Management Area (HMA). However, there is a difference between the two. While the Piceance HMA permits a maximum of 235 horses to reside there, the BLM has set the allowed population level of the West Douglas HA to 0. The BLM attributes this decision to the challenging terrain and limited summer range in the area. Interestingly, the agency still allows hundreds to thousands of cows to graze in the habitat area. Read our roundup report here.

READ MORE

Thanks for reading. And thank you for continuing to stand up for our cherished wild horses and burros!

— AWHC Team

Yesterday was National Wildlife Day.

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

Yesterday, Americans across the country closed out the summer by spending time with their families and friends in celebration of Labor Day. But, did you know that yesterday was also National Wildlife Day?

National Wildlife Day is a holiday to honor the wildlife living among us. That’s why we’re celebrating America’s wild horses and burros. Can you chip in to help fuel our work to keep these majestic animals free and in the wild where they belong? >>


Photo by Tandin Chapman

With the freedom of wild horses and burros under near constant threat, it’s our mission to be the voice speaking up for these majestic animals. Our dedicated team is showing up every single day in the field, in the courts, and on Capitol Hill, continuing our fight to uphold the promise to protect America’s wild horses and burros for generations to come.

But we can’t do this important work without your help. If you’re with us in the fight to protect America’s wild horses and burros, will you make a donation of any amount to fuel our work today?

CHIP IN →

Thank you for your support, and Happy Belated National Wildlife Day!

— AWHC Team

Uncovering the AIP’s horrifying slaughter pipeline

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

Two years ago, our groundbreaking investigation into the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Adoption Incentive Program (AIP) and the slaughter pipeline it created inspired an explosive exposé on the front page of the New York Times. 

The report revealed that this federal cash incentive program was sending “truckloads” of federally protected wild horses and burros into the slaughter pipeline. The piece sparked massive public outrage and encouraged dozens of members of Congress to speak out calling for the suspension of the disastrous program. 

Had it not been for the tireless efforts of our Investigations Team, it’s possible that the reality of this failed program would have never been brought to light. If you’re able, please consider making a contribution to continue powering our Investigation Team’s critical work.

DONATE NOW

In response, the BLM “reformed” the AIP, but the changes it implemented failed to address the key problem: paying people $1,000 to adopt a wild, unhandled horse or burro. As a result, untamed horses and burros have continued to flood slaughter auctions across the country, overwhelming the rescue groups trying to save them. 

Our updated findings reveal that nearly 1,600 wild horses and burros have been found in kill pens since the start of the program – 63% of which AWHC has been able to identify by BLM brand number. Of these identified animals, we’ve confirmed that more than 50% were adopted through the AIP. (That percentage will continue to climb as we receive additional BLM records under the Freedom of Information Act).

Most troubling: groups of related individuals have been conspiring to defraud taxpayers of thousands of dollars by adopting multiple rounds of AIP animals and then sending them to kill pens once the cash incentives clear their bank accounts. In some cases, these nefarious adopters go back just days after being awarded a title to adopt their next round of animals.

Using our investigative findings, we are working through litigation and lobbying to bring an end to this program that has placed so many innocent wild horses and burros at risk of brutal slaughter for human consumption overseas.

Enough is enough. The AIP slaughter pipeline MUST end. The lives of thousands of wild horses and burros are at stake. Please make a donation today and power the work of our Investigations Team to help us end the AIP’s cash incentives and put a stop to this disastrous program once and for all.

DONATE NOW

Thank you,

Amelia Perrin
Investigations Manager
American Wild Horse Campaign

On this week’s eNews: Meet Selena, a beautiful mustang with a heartwarming story

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

We’ve got a lot to share with you in this week’s edition of eNews, including the story of a beautiful mustang named Selena, our exciting new collaboration with CALLIDAE to drive progress in safeguarding wild horses, and an opportunity to hear AWHC’s Investigations Manager address the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) disastrous Adoption Incentive Program (AIP) during a meeting of the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board.

Read on to learn more! 

SHOP: These Products Are Helping Wild Horses and Burros

Did you know you can help wild horses while shopping? From a fully sustainable blanket featuring wild mustangs, to equestrian inspired apparel, to a candle that wafts the scents of the West into your home, our generous partners have what the wild horse advocate needs.

SHOP

Blog: One of the Lucky Ones: Selena

Selena is a special horse — not just because of her soft eyes, kind nature, and comfortable gaits — but because she has survived against amazingly dire odds. Read Selena’s story and learn how you can help mustangs like her!

READ MORE

Public Comment: AWHC Adresses AIP at the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board Meeting

It’s hard to sit through a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board meeting for a variety of reasons, but when it comes to the discussions on the Adoption Incentive Program (AIP), it becomes almost unbearable. Despite irrefutable evidence, the agency continues to publicly claim that no horses or burros are being sent into the slaughter pipeline as a result of this program. Take a moment to listen to AWHC’s Investigations Manager, Amelia Perrin address this in her comments to the Advisory Board this week.

LISTEN

Thanks for reading. And thank you for continuing to stand up for our cherished wild horses and burros!

— AWHC Team

For the ‘lead mares’ in your life

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

We are thrilled to announce a partnership between CALLIDAE, the modern luxury equestrian lifestyle brand, and the American Wild Horse Campaign (AWHC) in an effort to protect and preserve America’s Western wild horses. This collaboration, known as “The MARE Project,” aims to raise awareness and drive progress in safeguarding these magnificent animals.

SHOP

CALLIDAE’s commitment to social and ecological responsibility aligns perfectly with the mission of the AWHC. Through The MARE Project apparel campaign, 15% of the proceeds from sweaters, tee shirts, and other items featuring “MARE” and “Lead MARE” logos will be directed to support the AWHC’s vital work from today until September.

The MARE Project draws inspiration from the role of the lead mare in wild horse communities. In a herd of wild horses, the lead mare’s wisdom and experience make her the true leader. This project serves as a daily reminder of the power of collective action, led by females, to drive progress.

SHOP

AWHC actively engages in advocacy, lobbying, and on-the-ground conservation efforts to ensure the preservation of wild horses in their natural habitats. By joining forces with CALLIDAE, we aim to raise awareness among the US equestrian and horse communities while promoting the importance of protecting these beloved animals.

We are honored to have the support of renowned celebrities and influencers who share our passion for this cause. Celebrities and influencers such as Julianne Hough, Nikki Reed, Beth Behrs, Brian Bowen Smith, and Millana Snow have joined us in opposing the cruel treatment of wild horses and supporting the AWHC’s mission.

Together, we can make a difference and ensure the preservation of America’s Western wild horses.

Happy Independence Day from AWHC!

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

Happy Independence Day! 🇺🇸🎉

Today, and every day, we celebrate the values that make America what it is: liberty, honor, and pride. But as we spend time with our family and friends honoring the founding of our nation, it’s important that we remember those whose freedom is currently under threat.


Photo by Sandy Sisti // Wild at Heart Images

The American Wild Horse is a symbol of the core values that we honor today. Their resilience, strength, and untamed beauty embody the American spirit unlike any animal. But as we speak, wild horses across the West are losing their freedom due to brutal helicopter roundups conducted by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

The summer roundup season officially began this past Saturday, putting the lives of thousands of these majestic creatures in grave danger. These helicopter roundup operations are extremely stressful to wild horses and often result in them being severely traumatized, injured, or even killed. 

We know it doesn’t have to be this way, Meredith. That’s why our team here at the American Wild Horse Campaign (AWHC) is dedicated to ending these cruel helicopter roundups for good and shifting federal management of wild horses to more humane alternatives, such as fertility control vaccines.

And today, on Independence Day, we pledge to keep up the fight for these horses and their uniquely American legacy. 

Thank you, and Happy Fourth!

American Wild Horse Campaign

We are less than THREE days away from the start of roundup season (!!)

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) summer roundup season begins this weekend. From July 1 to October 31, government helicopters will descend on America’s wild herds in six different states. This roundup season, the BLM plans to round up more than 7,000 wild horses and burros, permanently removing 80% of the captured animals.

Our cherished wild herds need your support now more than ever. Please rush a contribution today and help us defend America’s wild horses and burros this roundup season!

HELP US FIGHT BACK

The first herd in the BLM’s crosshairs is the Reveille Herd Management Area (HMA) in Nevada, where dozens of wild horses are scheduled to be removed beginning as early as this Saturday. And that’s just the start. The largest roundups planned this summer are set to take place on Nevada’s Antelope Complex where over 3,000 wild horses are slated to be removed. Thousands more of these innocent animals will also be subjected to inhumane helicopter roundups in Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, California, and Oregon.

AWHC is fighting hard to put an end to the cruel practice of helicopter roundups and prove there is a better way to manage America’s wild herds. But in the meantime, it’s vital that we hold the BLM accountable for the abuses wild horses and burros suffer during these operations. That’s why we’re preparing to send trained observers to as many of the planned helicopter roundups as possible to document the inhumane treatment of our wild herds – and we need your help to make it happen. 

In order to fuel the critical work that lies ahead over these next few months – including funding our roundup observation program – we’ve set a goal to raise $50,000 by the start of the summer roundup season on July 1. Will you make a contribution to help us reach our goal so we can fight for the thousands of wild horses and burros in danger of BLM helicopter roundups this summer?

HELP US REACH OUR GOAL

These helicopter roundups are a threat to the safety and wellbeing of all wild horses and burros. They are traumatizing, they rip families apart, and they often result in grave injuries or even deaths. 

Your support will help us ensure that the often harsh reality of federal wild horse roundups is in full view of the American public, including members of Congress who have the power to make change.

With less than three days to go until the first roundup is scheduled to begin, hitting our $50k goal will be critical to helping us stand up for wild horses and burros this summer. Please make a contribution today and help us reach our goal!

DONATE TODAY

Thank you,

American Wild Horse Campaign

SURVEY REMINDER: Last chance to supply donor feedback →

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

 Our Donor Feedback Survey closes tomorrow at midnight. Will you take a few moments before then to provide us with any feedback you may have and let us know how we are doing?

TAKE THE SURVEY

First, we want to extend our deepest gratitude for your ongoing support for our work here at the American Wild Horse Campaign. It is because of you that we are able to continue our policy, awareness and conservation programs.

As one of our most dedicated donors, we’re hoping to get to know you better through your answers to a few questions about our programs and how we, as the leading wild horse conservation organization, are doing.

This will help us understand how you came to AWHC, why you stay involved, and help us make sure that we’re sending updates that help you support our work and America’s wild horses in the best way possible.

To provide us with your feedback, please fill out our survey at the button below:

TAKE THE SURVEY

Thank you for your feedback,

American Wild Horse Campaign

Will you let us know how we’re doing?

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

There is still time to provide us with any feedback you may have.

Will you take a few moments to fill out our Donor Feedback Survey and let us know how we are doing?

First, we want to extend our deepest gratitude for your ongoing support for our work here at the American Wild Horse Campaign. It is because of you that we are able to continue our policy, awareness and conservation programs.

As one of our most dedicated donors, we’re hoping to get to know you better through your answers to a few questions about our programs and how we, as the leading wild horse conservation organization, are doing.

This will help us understand how you came to AWHC, why you stay involved, and help us make sure that we’re sending updates that help you support our work and America’s wild horses in the best way possible.

To provide us with your feedback, please fill out our survey at the button below:

TAKE THE SURVEY

Thank you for your feedback,

American Wild Horse Campaign

Donor Feedback Request for Meredith Hodges

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

First, we want to extend our deepest gratitude for your ongoing support for our work here at the American Wild Horse Campaign. It is because of you that we are able to continue our policy, awareness and conservation programs.

As one of our most dedicated donors, we’re hoping to get to know you better through your answers to a few questions about our programs and how we, as the leading wild horse conservation organization, are doing.

This will help us understand how you came to AWHC, why you stay involved, and help us make sure that we’re sending updates that help you support our work and America’s wild horses in the best way possible.

To provide us with your feedback, please fill out our survey at the button below:

TAKE THE SURVEY

Thank you for your feedback,

American Wild Horse Campaign

🚨 Helicopter roundups are less than a month away!! 🚨

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

In less than a month, government helicopters will descend on America’s beloved wild herds as roundup season begins in full force.

Families will be broken apart, thousands of innocent animals will lose their freedom forever, and many will be seriously injured or worse, killed as a result of the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) brutal helicopter roundup operations. 

HELP US FIGHT BACK

AWHC has been fighting tirelessly to bring an end to this inhumane practice – but until these tragedies stop for good, we must keep them in the public’s view. That’s why we send observers to document as many of these roundups as possible. We must show the world what is happening to our wild horses.

Your support enables us to send our observation teams to the most remote corners of the West, where the BLM conducts many of these brutal operations, to ensure no animal welfare violation goes unrecorded. With just a few weeks left until the beginning of roundup season, will you make a contribution today to help us hold the BLM accountable?

DONATE NOW

Earlier this year, the BLM announced that it’s planning to round up more than 7,000 wild horses and burros from our public lands beginning on July 1st – permanently removing 5,857 – even though over 61,000 wild horses and burros are warehoused in BLM holding facilities.

The largest of these roundups is set to take place on Nevada’s Antelope Complex, where over 3,000 wild horses are going to be removed from their homes. And that’s just the start. Thousands more will be subjected to these deadly helicopter roundups in Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, California, and Oregon as well.

If there’s one thing we know, it’s that when people see the atrocities our wild horses and burros face, they are outraged. That’s why we need to ensure we have enough funds to send our observers into the field. Without them, the BLM’s actions will continue to be shrouded in secrecy.

We don’t just document these animal welfare violations, we compile our observers’ photos and videos to use in legal action when we can. Not only that, but we create a record of cruelty and provide it to change makers in Congress.

Please help us sustain our roundup observation program and help us hold the BLM accountable with a donation today.

DONATE NOW

Thank you,

American Wild Horse Campaign

The BLM’s wild horse and burro holding system is on the brink >>

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

Right now, over 60,000 wild horses and burros are being held in captivity by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) – and the agency plans to round up THOUSANDS more in the coming months. Rush a donation now and help us fight back to keep these innocent animals in the wild where they belong!

THIS is the reality for over 60,000 formerly free-roaming wild horses and burros:

Tens of thousands of innocent animals crammed into corrals with no shade or room to run, vulnerable to deadly disease outbreaks and in danger of being funneled into the slaughter pipeline via the BLM’s disastrous Adoption Incentive Program (AIP) – all at a hefty cost of over $80 million to American taxpayers every year.

We know it doesn’t have to be like this. Through our fertility control program on Nevada’s Virginia Range, we’ve been proving for over four years that there IS a better way to manage our nation’s wild horses and burros, one that keeps them out of these overcrowded facilities and in the wild where they’re meant to be.

But roundup season is approaching fast – and the BLM already announced that it plans to remove thousands more wild horses and burros from their homes this summer. Whether it’s in the field, in courts, or on the Hill, we’re gearing up to fight back for our wild herds. Will you make a contribution today to bolster our efforts to help keep wild horses and burros free this summer?

DONATE NOW →

Thank you,

AWHC Team

Thank you for standing with us

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

As you know, AWHC has been advocating for SB90, a bill in the Nevada state legislature that would designate the wild mustang as the official state horse. Despite passing in the state Senate by a bipartisan vote of 18-3, SB90 unfortunately did not receive a vote in the Assembly before the deadline and therefore will not proceed in the legislative process this session. 

Going into this, we knew getting SB90 passed would be a challenging process. There is a small but well-funded special interest coalition advocating against wild horses in Nevada, and the legislative process itself is not easy to move any bill through. In fact, 40 other bills were not brought to a vote in time either.

But in the face of vocal trophy hunters, wildlife trappers, and ranchers — you spoke up, took action, and exemplified the spirit of the wild mustangs we fight so hard to protect — wildly determined, unwilling to back down, and fiercely protective. 

Your advocacy efforts and support for our cause helped open the door for a broader conversation in Nevada about the need for collaborative solutions to humanely and sustainably protect wild horses and burros. 

We believe the bill should have become law to rightfully name the wild mustang as Nevada’s official state horse. So moving forward, we will focus efforts on growing our grassroots and political base in this crucial wild horse state — and you’ll undoubtedly play a significant role in that effort. 

We will continue to work to advance legislation that reflects the will of the 86% of Nevadans who view wild mustangs as a symbol of the state and want to see them protected. And we’ll continue our work to advocate for improved management that is humane, sustainable, and fiscally responsible. Our wild mustangs and burros are worth fighting for.

Thank you for being in this fight with us.

— AWHC Team Nevada

On billboards, on TV screens, and across the country →

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

Support for the American Wild Horse Campaign (AWHC) and our mission to protect and preserve America’s cherished wild horses and burros has grown tremendously over the past several years — largely because more and more Americans are learning about the mismanagement these innocent wild animals face every day.

As the nation’s leading organization in the fight to keep wild horses and burros wild, we’ve taken great strides over the last decade to inform the American public about how their tax dollars are being used to unnecessarily round up and confine for life these once-wild animals.

If we’ve learned one thing as an organization, it’s that once people learn about the plight of wild horses and burros, they are upset, frustrated, and ready to take action to protect them. That’s why I joined AWHC’s team last year, aiming to help elevate this issue to new levels. Last summer, we did just that when we launched There’s A Better Way — an awareness campaign spanning the West to inform Americans about the tragedies facing wild horses and burros right in their backyards.To power more awareness efforts like this campaign, will you make a donation to fuel AWHC’s work today?

We deployed billboards, digital ads, a TV commercial, took over local newspapers, and even had a mobile billboard that drove around Capitol Hill and the Department of the Interior in Washington, D.C. aimed at pressuring lawmakers to enact further wild horse protections. This year, we’ve expanded our efforts to different states — in Nevada and North Dakota, we’re fighting to preserve herds integral to each state’s history.

This critical work has helped us grow our supporter base to 230,000+, send over 520,000 messages to the federal government demanding wild horse protections, and receive over 1,100 mentions in the media promoting our work and this cause.

The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) wild horse and burro holding system is nearing its breaking point with more than 60,000 horses in captivity. Time is of the essence as we work to spread the word about more humane alternatives to protect our wild horses in the wild, where they belong. Will you help continue powering AWHC’s awareness work as we fight to keep wild horses and burros wild, Meredith?

DONATE NOW →

Thank you,


Scott Wilson
Director of Strategy
American Wild Horse Campaign

ICYMI: We just sued the BLM to stop the eradication of WY wild horses

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

We’ve got a lot to share with you in this week’s edition of eNews, including an opportunity to speak out against the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) inhumane use of helicopters during wild horse and burro roundups, an update on our fight to defend the iconic wild horses of the Wyoming Checkerboard, and more!

Read on to learn more! >>

Speak Out Against the Use of Helicopters for Wild Horse and Burro Removals

Photo by Brian Clopp for AWHC

On May 24, 2023, the BLM will hold a legally-mandated virtual meeting on the use of helicopters and other motorized vehicles in wild horse and burro management. These meetings provide an important opportunity for public input into the BLM’s roundup and removal Wild Horse and Burro Program.

Please take one moment to voice your opposition to the use of helicopters to manage the West’s wild horse and burro herds by submitting the letter at the link below!

TAKE ACTION

AWHC and Coalition Takes BLM to Court Over Wyoming Wild Horse Plan

Photo of Salt Well horses by Kimerlee Curyl

On Wednesday, the American Wild Horse Campaign (AWHC), Animal Welfare Institute (AWI), Western Watersheds Project, author and Casper College instructor Dr. Chad Hanson, and wildlife photographers Kimerlee Curyl and Carol Walker filed suit against the U.S. Department of the Interior over a federal plan that would result in the largest-ever eradication of federally protected wild horses and the elimination of 43% of designated wild horse habitat in the Red Desert area of Wyoming. 

The lawsuit is the culmination of a decade-long battle to defend the wild horses of the Wyoming Checkerboard against demands by the Rock Springs Grazing Association (RSGA) to remove these animals from more than 2 million acres of land in the southwestern part of the state. Click the link below to read more.

READ MORE

Colorado Lawmakers Create Model for Future Wild Horse Management

Photo by Somer McCain for AWHC

Recently, the Colorado General Assembly passed SB23-275, also known as the Colorado Wild Horse Project, and sent it to Governor Polis’ desk for signature. This bill, supported by AWHC and other wild horse protection and environmental groups, invests in a humane and cost-effective alternative to the inhumane roundups that have reduced Colorado wild horse herds over the past several years. 

SB23-275 is a significant step forward in the long term conservation of Colorado’s wild horses, dedicating $1.5 million in state resources to support the work of existing – but traditionally underfunded – local wild horse volunteer groups focused on sustaining wild horse populations through robust fertility control and habitat stewardship programs. Click the link below to read more.

READ MORE

Save the Burros! Shop to Show Your Support

Photo by Leslie Wasserman

In honor of Burro Awareness Month, we have created two designs to help raise awareness about our long-eared friends! By supporting these apparel items, you will continue to support the work of the American Wild Horse Campaign and our efforts to keep wild burros wild.

SHOP THE STORE

Thanks for reading. And thank you for continuing to stand up for our cherished wild horses and burros!

— AWHC Team

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