2012 American Equine Summit Unites Against Horse Slaughter

CHATHAM, N.Y., March 13, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The 2012 American Equine Summit will take place March 31 – April 1 at Equine Advocates Rescue & Sanctuary in Chatham, NY.  This invitation only summit will unite the equine community's foremost experts to speak about horse slaughter, raise awareness and encourage grassroots efforts to ban this practice, which has recently gained legislative approval to be reinstated.  In attendance will be members of the press, lawmakers and those involved with animal welfare and the horse industry.

Said Susan Wagner, founder/president of Equine Advocates, "Over 80 percent of Americans oppose horse slaughter, according to recent polls.  Our goal is to empower these 'eighty-percenters' to make their voices heard in Congress, urging their representatives to pass legislation to stop this horrendous practice."  

Horse lover and legendary concert promoter, Ron Delsener, will be the Keynote Speaker.  Others will include:

Paula Bacon (Texas): Former Mayor of Kaufman, Texas, will address the impact of opening a horse slaughterhouse.

Cathleen Doyle (Oklahoma): Director, Save the Horses will discuss the historic passage of the initiative that banned horse slaughter in California.

John Holland (Virginia): Equine Welfare Alliance President will present the misconceptions about "slaughter horses".

Dr. Kraig J. Kulikowski, D.V.M. (Florida and New York): Licensed equine practitioner will discuss humane euthanasia as an alternative to slaughter.

Katia Louise (California): International award-winning documentary filmmaker will screen and discuss Saving America's Horses.

Victoria McCullough (Florida): Equine protectionist will discuss the successful passage of Florida's 2010 Equine Protection Act.

Cindy Meehl (Connecticut): Director of the award-winning 2011 documentary, Buck.

Jo Anne Normile (Michigan): Saving Baby Founder will discuss national "After Care" programs developed by racing organizations.

"Equine Advocates is unequivocally against equine slaughter for human consumption – and it will be a travesty if horse slaughter were to return to the US," said Wagner.  "This will happen if special interest groups twist the issue and have their way through their lobbyists in Congress.  We must act now to stop them."

Founded in 1996, Equine Advocates is a non-profit equine protection organization and Horse Sanctuary based in Chatham, NY.  Its mission is to rescue, protect and prevent the abuse of equines, especially through banning the slaughter of American horses, through education, investigation, rescue operations and public education. Email [email protected] or call 518-245-1599 for more information.

PRESS:
Susan Bang/Emily Collins
Bang + Collins PR
Ph: 917-991-9714 / 518-771-3003
[email protected] / [email protected]

SOURCE Equine Advocates