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We must ensure accountability for our wild herds

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

Our wild herds are suffering. Contractors, hired by the federal government to conduct wild horse helicopter roundups, are violating the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) very own animal welfare standards. These violations endanger our iconic wild horses and burros and put them at risk of serious injury.

Since 2021, the BLM has sent Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program (CAWP) teams to assess five roundups conducted by Cattoor Livestock, one of the BLM’s longstanding roundup operators. These assessments revealed that in the five roundups assessed, Cattoor Livestock contractors violated the animal welfare standards 30 times. Over 20 of those were “major” violations, which means they impact the health or welfare of our wild equines.

One of the more concerning cases was the 2021 Antelope Complex roundup, where 11 wild horses died. Numerous violations were recorded including, separating foals from their mothers for at least six hours, and overcrowded holding pens. The BLM’s own publicly-available CAWP report from this roundup states:

“The contractor was observed to be disagreeable and argumentative at every opportunity for discussion with the COR, the contractor offered more excuses than demonstrated interest in complying with the CAWP standards.”
HELP US FIGHT FOR ACCOUNTABILITY

This is not an isolated incident. In 2022, at the Black Mountain roundup, an employee of Cattoor Livestock was documented using a paddle in an abusive manner by jabbing and striking burros in their most sensitive areas, all while visibly angry and frustrated. 

And at the Piceance-East Douglas roundup in Colorado, the federal contractor company was cited for seven major violations, including failure to provide proper facilities to care for vulnerable horses, including foals, improper water trough placement, and neglecting to control dust levels that posed respiratory risks to the animals. These violations of basic animal welfare guidelines are unacceptable.

We can not stand by and let this abuse go unchecked. Wild horses and burros deserve better, and we need your help to continue fighting for justice and accountability for our wild herds. Can you chip in today to help power our work to stand up for these incredible animals?

HELP US FIGHT FOR ACCOUNTABILITY

Thank you.

American Wild Horse Conservation

UPDATE: Our national ad campaign is gaining MAJOR traction

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The following is from the American Wild Horse Campaign:

Advocates like you and I have known about the plight of our cherished wild horses and burros for years, but millions of Americans are still unaware of the tragedies happening to these innocent animals across the West.

But we are changing that. Since Monday, when we launched our largest national campaign ever, we’ve seen a huge outpouring of support. In less than a week, our TV and online ads have gained a LOT of traction, playing across major news networks, because one thing is clear: Once Americans learn about the brutal practices the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) uses to “manage” our wild horses and burros, they’re shocked, they’re angry, and they are ready to take action.

But spreading awareness isn’t all it takes to protect the future of our wild herds. And that’s why broadcasting our new ads nationwide is just the first step. Now, the next leg of our national campaign to protect wild horses and burros is in motion — literally:

Over the course of the next week, mobile billboards broadcasting our commercial will circle the White House, Capitol Hill, and the Department of the Interior to encourage our federal leaders to use their power to stand up for wild horses and burros.

Between the public support we’ve received thus far, and bringing our message directly to decisionmakers in Washington, we’re confident in the success of this campaign. People are more engaged than ever to be the voice of our beloved wild equines. So we won’t let up — we’re doubling down to increase awareness and pressure for change in the states where roundups are happening this month —  Nevada, California, Oregon and Utah.

This national campaign would not be possible without the support of donors like you. Now, we need your help to take it even further. Can you make a contribution today to help us expand our ad campaign and continue to build a force for change?

DONATE

The work we are doing is critical to ending the suffering of thousands of wild horses and burros across the West. Right now, the BLM and U.S. Forest Service are conducting helicopter roundups that will forever rob 2,700 of these innocent animals of their freedom and families.

If every American knew that their tax dollars are funding this cruel and inhumane practice, they would be outraged! That’s why it’s so important that we not only keep our national campaign going but expand our ads to reach even more people in states where BLM roundups are happening this fall.

So please, rush a donation to help us keep our campaign live nationwide and put double the pressure on the BLM and legislators in DC, UT, OR, NV, + CA to protect the freedom of America’s wild herds!

DONATE

Thank you,

Suzanne Roy
Executive Director
American Wild Horse Campaign