The Foundation for the Horse and the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) have partnered with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) to manage a program offering relief to horse owners unable to afford veterinary care.

The ASPCA awarded The Foundation for the Horse a $50,000 grant to support the Vet Direct Safety Net initiative. This program, originated and piloted by the ASPCA, aligns with The Foundation’s mission of improving the welfare of horses and enables AAEP-member veterinarians in the U.S. to administer compassionate service to horses and the equine community without incurring financial stress to their practice.

“We are thrilled to partner with the AAEP and The Foundation for the Horse to continue bringing the boldest and most creative safety net programs to life,” said Dr. Emily Weiss, vice president of ASPCA Equine Welfare. “Since 2018, the ASPCA Vet Direct Safety Net Program served many horses and we are proud to support The Foundation for the Horse in order to continue empowering equine veterinarians to locate and provide care to at-risk equines in their communities.”

Equine practitioners who apply to participate in Vet Direct Safety Net will be able to provide up to $600 worth of free veterinary services per animal to assist horse owners in need with emergency stabilization procedures, euthanasia, or disposal.

The data collected from horse owners in exchange for veterinary services will also provide opportunities to better understand existing equine welfare issues and, ultimately, better serve America’s horses at risk or in transition.

AAEP-member veterinarians in the U.S. are invited to learn more about the program at www.aaep.org/vet-direct-safety-net or by contacting Sue Stivers at (859) 233-0147 or sstivers@aaep.org.

About The Foundation for the Horse

The Foundation for The Horse, a 501(c)(3) organization established in 1994, is governed and stewarded by equine veterinary members of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) and other stakeholders who share and support The Foundation’s mission to improve the welfare of horses. Since its inception, The Foundation has disbursed more than $6 million to fulfill its vital mission. To learn more, visit www.foundationforthehorse.org.

About the AAEP

The American Association of Equine Practitioners, headquartered in Lexington, Ky., was founded in 1954 as a non-profit organization dedicated to the health and welfare of the horse. Currently, AAEP reaches more than 5 million horse owners through its over 9,000 members worldwide and is actively involved in ethics issues, practice management, research and continuing education in the equine veterinary profession and horse industry. Visit www.aaep.org.

About the ASPCA

Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is the first animal welfare organization in North America and serves as the nation’s leading voice for animals. More than two million supporters strong, the ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services. For more information, visit www.aspca.org.