Two Minutes to Help End Horse Slaughter

by Stephanie Feldstein · 2010-10-19 07:22:00 UTC
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Today, people across the U.S. will be picking up their phones and dialing Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (202-225-0100 in D.C., or 415-556-4862 in San Francisco) to ask her to schedule a vote on the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act, H.R. 503. Her Senate counterpart, Harry Reid, could use a call, too, to get S.B. 727 on the floor. If you're on a roll, Animal Law Coalition has info on where to find other key elected officials — including your own — to spur them into action, too.

It only takes a minute to be a part of the National Call-in Day. Less than a minute to follow-up with an email to your representatives.

The Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act has been languishing in both the House and the Senate since March 2009. In the year and half since then, tens of thousands of horses have been shipped in brutal conditions across the border to be cruelly slaughtered for their meat. It's long past time that Congress stepped up and took the reins to protect horses.

Horses can't be slaughtered for human consumption in the U.S. But right now, that's riding on a technicality — the feds won't provide funding for inspectors, and meat can't be sold without inspection. Even though the market for horse meat has been declining, several states have been trying to re-open their slaughterhouses.

The Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act clears up the government's intention to permanently stop the slaughter of horses for human consumption. This bill would make it illegal to possess, ship, transport, purchase, sell, deliver or receive a horse or horse flesh for human consumption.

Since it's campaign season, you might think it's a strange time to try to push a bill. But just last month, Rep. James Moran (D-VA) presented a letter to Nancy Pelosi, asking her to schedule a vote. Even though it's the off-season, 83 co-sponsors signed on.

And today, you'll be joining supporters from the Animal Law Coalition, Equine Welfare Alliance, Animals' Angels, Canadian Horses Defence Coalition, The Cloud Foundation, Saving America's Horses, and several other groups. When the phone keeps ringing, representatives tend to answer to their constituents.

This bill is widely supported from both sides of the aisle, and it has a good chance of becoming law, if only Congress would bring it to a vote. Make the call today, and help stop the suffering of horses.

Photo credit: Todd Ryburn

Stephanie Feldstein is a Change.org Editor who has been part of the animal welfare and rescue community for over a decade, and most recently worked for an environmental organization.

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