With so many of us facing untold hardships -- and even with some light appearing at the end of the tunnel -- our four-legged equine friends, who are also impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, need our care and protection more than ever.
Faced with trying to accommodate the immediate needs of equine charities across the nation, we allocate our available resources to support deserving equine charities on an annual basis.
Instead of waiting until the end of our fiscal year in August, the Board of Directors of the EQUUS Foundation approved the immediate allocation of $100,000 to help ease the stress of its EQUUS Foundation Guardian charities.
Each eligible charity will receive a $500 grant for horse care costs (feed, bedding and health care) upon approval of its 2020 EQUUS Foundation Guardian Seal. Priority will be given to EQUUS Foundation Guardian charities that received financial support from the EQUUS Foundation in 2019.
The EQUUS Foundation awards grants to directly underwrite horse care costs – which is exactly what equine charities across the nation need right now
At the heart of the EQUUS Foundation's mission is the EQUUS Foundation Guardians program. EQUUS Foundation Guardian charities undergo a rigorous vetting process annually to demonstrate that they are committed to the highest standards for horse care and are transparent and accountable by making their horse care practices and operations available to public scrutiny.
Only EQUUS Foundation Guardian charities are eligible to receive financial support from the EQUUS Foundation to ensure that the donations we receive annually are provided for programs with the greatest impact and to inspire donor confidence in the charities receiving financial support from the EQUUS Foundation.
We are working hard to reach our fundraising goal for our fiscal year ending August 31, 2020 to make additional funds available to our Guardian charities. Please be assured that we, like so many other organizations, will be creative in finding ways to support the horses we love that need us and depend on us every day.
Breaking News . . .
The EQUUS Foundation is thrilled to announce that EQUUS Foundation Alliance members, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), and the Foundation for the Horse are also providing support to come to the aid of this relief effort.
"We are deeply grateful to USEF for their commitment not only to the welfare of horses during their sport careers, but also to their welfare after their sport careers are over," said Lynn Coakley, EQUUS Foundation President.
"We want to thank the Foundation for the Horse and express our gratitude to all veterinarians for accepting the risks of being on the front lines in taking care of our four-legged friends. We owe so much to all our first responders," said Jenny Belknap-Kees, EQUUS Foundation Chair.
Lending a Helping Hand
We wish to thank all our supporters who are making this $100,000 pledge possible. If you are able to give, no amount is too small!
Please consider making a gift at www.equusfoundation.org/give!
ABOUT EQUUS FOUNDATION: The EQUUS Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity established in 2002, also known as Horse Charities of America, is the only national animal welfare charity in the United States 100 percent dedicated to protecting America's horses and strengthening the bond between people and horses. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. Contact the EQUUS Foundation, Inc., at 168 Long Lots Road, Westport, CT 06880, Tele: (203) 259-1550, E-mail: mail@equusfoundation.org, Website: www.equusfoundation.org.