American Humane Association Awards $20,000 Grant to Help Feed Hundreds of Starving Horses on Foreclosed Montana Ranch

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- American Humane Association, the nation's voice for the protection of children and animals, has awarded a $20,000 grant to the Northern International Livestock Exposition (NILE) Foundation to help feed hundreds of horses that had been abandoned when a Billings, Mont., ranch was foreclosed upon in July 2010.

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An estimated 350 horses had been fenced inside a 2,000-acre pasture with limited food and water at Home Place Ranch. The situation had become critical for these animals in recent weeks, as the natural food and water supplies in the area began running out.

American Humane Association's Vice President of Emergency Services, Debrah Schnackenberg, presented the grant to the NILE Foundation in Billings yesterday. "This is a tragic situation that required immediate action to save these horses, and American Humane Association wanted to help these animals and support the ongoing efforts to care for them," she said. "We applaud the outpouring of support that has come from the local ranching and livestock communities, and beyond, and we are pleased to offer our support as well. Our Red Star Animal Emergency Services™ program was created during World War I to care for horses on the battlefields of Europe, so it is fitting that we continue to help these noble animals today, right here at home." Schnackenberg noted that American Humane Association has a long tradition of working with the farming and ranching community. Among its many programs is American Humane Certified, a partnership with farmers and ranchers to promote the appropriate treatment of farm animals.

"This situation is a clear example of the inextricable link between people, animals and the world we share," said American Humane Association President and Chief Executive Officer Robin R. Ganzert, Ph.D. "That these horses were abandoned without food or water by their owner shows what can happen when people don't honor their commitment to treating the animals in their care humanely. But the reaction to this situation also shows what can happen when individuals and organizations come together to help others — whether they be animals or people — and it is an inspiring example of American values of compassion, caring and hope. We are optimistic that the result will be a positive outcome for these horses."

For information on how to support the efforts to help the horses in "Operation Home Place," visit the NILE Foundation's website at http://thenile.org/.

To support American Humane Association's Red Star Animal Emergency Services, visit www.americanhumane.org/donate.

About American Humane Association

Since 1877, the historic American Humane Association has been at the forefront of virtually every major advancement in protecting children, pets and farm animals from cruelty, abuse and neglect. Today we're also leading the way in understanding human-animal interaction and its role in society. As the nation's voice for the protection of children and animals, American Humane Association reaches millions of people every day through groundbreaking research, education, training and services that span a wide network of organizations, agencies and businesses. You can help make a difference, too. Visit American Humane Association at www.americanhumane.org today.

SOURCE American Humane Association

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