MSPCA-Angell Receives $50,000 Grant to Ensure all Horses are Fed and Healthy
BOSTON, April 20, 2021 – The MSPCA-Angell announced today that it has received a
$50,000 grant from the John T. and Jane A. Wiederhold Foundation to further the life-saving work performed by the New England Equine Relief Network, a coalition of several New England-area animal protection organizations formed last year to provide food relief and basic veterinary care for horse owners in need.
The grant money dramatically advances the ability of the network—comprised of the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals, and the New Hampshire Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals as well as the MSPCA-Angell—to provide routine veterinary care and purchase feed, hay, and essentials such as blankets for horses in need all across New England.
“This generous gift from the Wiederhold Foundation will directly impact dozens of horses across New England in a positive—and often life-saving way—and aligns with our broader focus of proactively offering needed resources before vulnerable animals are rendered homeless,” said Mike Keiley, director of adoption centers and programs at the MSPCA-Angell.
Keiley said the full toll of the COVID-19’s economic fallout is yet to be tallied, and pointed to past economic crises, such as in 2008, that swelled the number of equines surrendered to the MSPCA’s Equine & Farm Animal Center in Methuen as much as 233%. At the time, the MSPCA did not have the resources to help at the level it is able to now.
“We know from past experience that horses and other farm animals are among the first to be affected by unemployment and related financial issues due to their size and cost of care. The result can be hundreds of horses surrendered to New England shelters, or worse, going without food and essential care that ultimately requires further intervention from law enforcement agencies.”
If You Need Help
The network’s distribution of critical food and veterinary assistance is ongoing. To apply for assistance, horse owners should contact the animal protection organization nearest to them:
The network’s efforts parallel similar rapid-response campaigns initiated by the MSPCA in response to horses in crisis. In 2019, for example, the MSPCA immediately launched an Equine Encephalitis (EE) vaccination clinic in response to outbreaks of the disease that threatened horses across New England.
The MSPCA’s efforts to aid horses as part of the network’s goal are funded entirely by donors. Anyone who wishes to contribute can click here.
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