Saving America's Horses

June 6, 2014, California auctioneer charged for sending horse to slaughter.

Madera County Sherriff and KPIX Channel 5 News reports auctioneer Billy Ray Brown Jr., was arrested and charged in a case involving professional rodeo horses and CA auction records traced to a slaughterhouse in Canada.

Many California (CA) residents are shocked by the news which broke yesterday on the heels of an

investigation probing into the illegal CA trade of horses for slaughter. “It’s been going on for years”, states Katia Louise, Wild For Life Foundation President, Director, Saving America’s Horses. “CA horses through no fault of their own, wind up at these auction houses where known kill-buyers seek to meet their quota as driven by the foreign market for horsemeat. Once designated as food animals most protections under the humane laws no longer apply to them. The records of their sale(s) are conveniently lost or somehow unavailable, making it next to impossible to trace their torturous journey through the slaughter pipeline.

The average American doesn’t realize that America's wild and domestic horses and burros are being sold in a seedy underground market for their meat at auction and shipped to slaughter in Mexico and Canada for human consumption abroad. Polls indicate of those Americans who are aware, 80% are opposed to these insidious activities.

The 1998 CA 'Prohibition on Slaughter of Horses and Sale of Horsemeat for Human Consumption' prohibits any person from possessing, transferring, receiving or holding any horse, pony, burro or mule with intent to kill it or have it killed, where the person knows or should know that any part of the animal will be used for human consumption, and provides that a violation constitutes a felony offense. “But horses are virtually being laundered through auction, trade and backyard barn sales, adds Ms Louise. “The total lack of enforcement is fueled by an absence of appropriated funds which enables the transfer and transport of equines without regulatory inspections or paper trails.” Yesterday’s summer camp ponies, today’s racehorses and tomorrow’s family pet ponies whose boarding contracts go unpaid, are disappearing across CA state borders into neighboring states where no protective laws exist.

Just last month, the 2015 Agriculture Appropriations bill was approved by the Senate with defunding language intact, which prohibits federally required inspections of horse slaughter facilities in the United States. Without funding for USDA inspections of horsemeat, horse slaughter plants cannot re-open in the U.S. However, there are no federal laws prohibiting the sale or transport of horses across federal borders to be slaughtered outside of the states.

Due to the absence of this federal protection, over 100,000 American horses are shipped across federal borders to slaughter plants in Mexico and Canada each year. What most people don't realize is that 92% of the horses sent to slaughter are sound, young and healthy. These are among America’s finest and brightest horses; champion show horses, Thoroughbred racehorses, professional rodeo horses and even wild horses taken from their native lands.

What can people do to help the horses?

Get the true facts and help raise awareness. Support Wild For Life Foundation and other reputable anti-slaughter equine rescues and sanctuaries. Ask your state representatives to support the currently pending federal legislation; HR 1094 and SB 541, (the Safeguard American Food Exports Act of 2013), which would prohibit the sale or transport of equines and equine parts in interstate or foreign commerce for human consumption. Talk to others in your local horse communities and encourage them to implement protective measures to keep horses from being sold, given away or auctioned for slaughter. Enforceable safety provisions can help assure their horses' safety and welfare for the lifetime of each horse.

Learn more and share: www.SavingAmericasHorses.org
http://www.lifetimeequinerefuge.org/adoption.html
Watch Saving America's Horses trailer: http://youtu.be/7Qb68DTz5RQ

Read the June 5th article about the arrest of the CA auctioneer: http://tinyurl.com/lvbbgj5

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, March 21, 2014

NEWS RELEASE

Tenor Anthony Kearns to Headline Wild for Life Foundation’s Charity Spring Benefit Wine Tasting Reception on Saturday, March 29, 2014 in San Diego, CA

Benefit to “Celebrate Life, Horses and Healing and Honor our Veterans” with Honorary Co-Chair, Actor Ken Wahl, and other special guests

SAN DIEGO, CA – World-renowned Tenor Anthony Kearns will be the featured entertainer at the exclusive “Charity Spring Benefit Wine Tasting Reception” hosted by the Wild for Life Foundation (WFLF), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity dedicated to protecting, saving and preserving wild and domestic equines, on March 29, 2014 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in San Diego, CA. The organization also promotes “enhancing human life, especially for foster children and military veterans suffering from the invisible wounds of war through the healing power of horses.”

Katia Louise, Founder, President and Volunteer Executive Director of WFLF, said: “We’re honored that the immensely talented Mr. Anthony Kearns can join us to be our evening’s featured entertainer. It is going to be an exquisite evening to raise funds for our new Wild for Life Foundation Charity Sanctuary and Wellness Center, which strives to provide programs with a focus on its community enrichment equine wellness activities; robust equine assisted programs for disadvantaged youth, active duty military, and veterans and their families; and proven equine assisted coaching for organizations.” Plans for the new facilities will help it align with the EAGALA Military Services Designation (MSD) and when funded will be managed by the WFLF BOD and Rob Pliskin, MSSA, LSW, an EAGALA Dual Certified Professional, who has been gentling wild horses for over 15 years. Pliskin will also attend the event.

“Coming from Ireland, where horses are so much a part of our culture, it gives me great pleasure to lend my voice to support worthy causes that protect horses and promote healing for those in need through horse-assisted therapy,” said Kearns. Kearns, who recently released a new solo CD (“With a Song in My Heart”), is a founding member of the singing sensation, The Irish Tenors – one of PBS’ most popular acts of all time.

Mr. Kearns will perform as part of the evening program and he will be available afterwards for a special meet-and-greet. "Anthony Kearns’ powerful voice will add a beautiful dimension to an evening dedicated to uniting horses and heroes in healing,” said Kirsten Fedewa, Kearns' publicist.

Kearns, who also has a robust international solo career, has become a favorite among the U.S. military and military service organizations. Last year, he performed as the guest of General Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in tribute to Medal of Honor recipients and at the World War II Memorial to honor the nation's "Greatest Generation." In 2012, he a featured guest entertainer in the PBS Special, “America’s Veterans: A Musical Tribute,” with the U.S. Air Force Band. Last year, he opened the televised National Memorial Day Parade program – the nation’s largest – in the U.S. capital.

The event will feature an exclusive live auction with custom artwork donated by one of the Nation’s most famous living artists, Peter Max, who is also a pop culture icon. Mr. Max has painted for six U.S. Presidents, and his art is on display in Presidential Libraries and U.S. Embassies.

Ms. Louise said that the reception will be “an exquisite sensory experience” with “a fabulous fusion du jour of hors d’oeuvres paired with hand-selected fine wines.” The Morningstar Foundation will provide an inspiring Native American cultural component to the program.

The reception on March 29th will be hosted by: Lisa and Scott Harris, Patent Attorney at Law Office of Scott C Harris, Linda Harris, Director of Ambassadors for Compassion; and prominent equine law attorney, Bing Bush, Jr. at the Law Offices of Bing I. Bush, Jr. Other event sponsors include the
Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes and the American Association of Equine Sports Preservation.

In addition, Actor Ken Wahl, who is best known for his Golden Globe award-winning lead role in the hit television series, Wiseguy, is the evening’s Honorary Co-Chairman. Sean Kelly, a popular standup comedian and a Desert Storm veteran will be the event’s emcee and auctioneer. Other high level guests will include Wildlife Ecologist and Wild Horse Expert, Craig Downer, members of the horse and entertainment industry, Native American council members, U.S. governmental representatives, and others. In addition, active and retired military from Camp Pendleton involved in the program will attend.

Tickets are $125 per person. Reservations are limited. For questions and ticket information, contact 310.439.9817

310.439.9817 or email.

ABOUT ANTHONY KEARNS: Anthony Kearns first took the American television audience by storm in 1999 as the youngest member of The Irish Tenors, with whom he has five PBS Specials and 10 CDs. His solo career includes concerts, high-profile celebrity engagements, major television appearances, operas, and collaborations with some of the world's most renowned orchestras. Among his achievements, he has had the honor to perform for three U.S. Presidents. In fall 2013, Kearns released his first solo album, “With a Song in My Heart.” www.anthonykearnsmusic.com

ABOUT PETER MAX: One of the nation’s most famous living artists, Peter Max is also a pop culture icon. His bold colors, uplifting images and uncommon artistic diversity have touched almost every phase of American culture and inspired many generations. He has painted for six U.S. Presidents, and his art is on display in Presidential Libraries and U.S. Embassies. From art that appeared on the first U.S. 10-cent stamp bearing the title “Preserve the Environment,” to 235 U.S. Border murals greeting millions of people entering America each year, Mr. Max seeks to capture themes of America at its finest in his art. www.petermax.com

ABOUT THE WILD FOR LIFE FOUNDATION: The Wild for Life Foundation (WFLF) is a 501 (c)(3) U.S. registered tax exempt nonprofit charity. The WFLF has been at the forefront of efforts to rescue and provide safe harbor for at risk animals, providing the space, natural habitat and quality of care which they deserve. The WFLF’ aim is to provide charitable equine assisted learning activities together with equine-therapy programs to aid youth and adults in building positive life skills. The WFLF is internationally recognized as a leader in animal welfare -- among our greatest concerns are imperiled wild horses and burros, abused, neglected and slaughter bound wild and domestic equines, and inadequate standards of protection for America’s equine population as a whole. The WFLF promotes the preservation of natural ecosystems, wildlife and the prevention of cruelty to animals. We strive to preserve and celebrate Native heritage and cultures through embracing harmonious relationships among people, animals and nature. The WFLF is achieving these goals through operating equine rescue, sanctuary, education and wellness programs which provide community enrichment through fostering symbiotic environmental stewardship and a healing partnership with horses. www.wildforlifefoundation.org.

CONTACT: Email / Tel:

(310) 439-9817

BREAKING: California auctioneer charged for sending horse to slaughter

World-renowned Tenor Anthony Kearns to Headline Wild for Life Foundation’s Charity Spring Benefit