The Standardbred Retirement Foundation, which in 2021 saved 733 Standardbreds from slaughter after they finished their racing careers, is expressing concern about the New Jersey state Legislature’s Bill A-4465, designed to set up a five-year grant program that will allocate funds to assist with the care of retired standardbred and thoroughbred racehorses.
“Wording in this bill is unclear as to eligibility requirements, and may also prevent these funds from helping race horses tagged for slaughter. After 33 years of efforts by the Standardbred Retirement Foundation, we must be certain that these funds are directed correctly and ask for your immediate help,” the organization said in a statement.
It continued, “The current draft requires accreditation by the Standardbred Retirement Foundation; however, it is not clear if the SRF, being an accredited organization, will also be eligible for these funds. We must preempt this. Here is a link to the bill.
The current draft requires accreditation by the Standardbred Retirement Foundation. However, it is not clear if the SRF, being an accredited organization, will also be eligible for these funds. “We must preempt this,” the organization stated.
Also, an additional accrediting organization that is noted in A4465 follows the The Right Horse Initiative. Under their guidelines, organizations must refrain from purchasing from “kill pens/bail outs”. This means that the Standardbreds in greatest need, tagged to ship for slaughter, will not be helped by this fund. https://www.aspcarighthorse.org/warmupringresources/
From Oct. 7-12, comment may be sent to Assemblyman Ralph Caputo to assure these funds reach the horses in need, according to SRF. In-person testimony has been delayed and will be heard into November in Trenton.
To email or call Assemblyman Ralph Caputo, use this link.
On Oct. 7, SRF will provide further information for supporters and the general public to register to testify before the committee. The window to do so is very short, SRF pointed out.
Assemblyman Ralph Caputo can be reached via this link
The SRF suggested this wording for communication with the assemblyman: “In regard to A-4465, I urge you to clarify that the accrediting organization, Standardbred Retirement Foundation, is eligible to receive funds. In addition, no organizations following The Right Horse Initiative can be approved (as funds will not be directed to the race horses in most need).”
SRF is the largest Standardbred adoption program in the U.S. and is feeding and caring for 512 Standardbreds. Visit the website at www.AdoptaHorse.org for more information.