To Celebrate National Horse Protection Day, Lawmakers Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to End Horse Slaughter Niki Thu, 02/27/2025 - 12:43 Photo by Sara Kurfess February 27, 2025 Endorsed by leading animal welfare and industry groups, the Save America’s Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act would expand the Dog and Cat Meat Prohibition Act to include equines, permanently protecting American horses from slaughter. Washington, DC—In honor of National Horse Protection Day on March 1, a bipartisan group of federal lawmakers today reintroduced the Save America’s Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act to permanently protect American horses from commercial slaughter. Sponsored by Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and Reps. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.) and Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), the SAFE Act would expand the Dog and Cat Meat Prohibition Act—which passed as part of the 2018 Farm Bill—to include equines, prohibiting the commercial slaughter of horses in the United States and ending their export for that purpose abroad.According to recent surveys, the American public overwhelmingly (83%) opposes horse slaughter, and for good reason. The entire process is inherently cruel, subjecting animals to long and dangerous transportation and brutal treatment at slaughterhouses, culminating in ineffective stunning methods that can leave horses conscious during dismemberment. The industry preys on healthy horses who could potentially find new homes and also makes rescuing horses more difficult.The SAFE Act received strong bipartisan support last Congress, with more than half of House members signing on as cosponsors, and is supported by leading animal welfare groups, including the Animal Welfare Institute, ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®), Humane World for Animals, Humane World Action Fund, and Return to Freedom Wild Horse Conservation. This legislation is also endorsed by equine industry groups, including The Jockey Club, the US Trotting Association, the Stronach Group, the Breeders’ Cup, the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, the Jockeys’ Guild, the New York Racing Association, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, and the Maryland Horse Council. These groups partnered with animal welfare organizations to form the “Final Stretch Alliance to End Horse Slaughter,” a collaborative effort urging federal lawmakers to pass a permanent ban on slaughter. Additionally, approximately 400 veterinarians have signed on to letters endorsing the SAFE Act and urging Congress to include this legislation in the Farm Bill.“The slaughter of horses for human consumption is barbaric and has no place in America,” Buchanan said. “As co-chairman of the Animal Protection Caucus, I look forward to continuing to lead this effort with Congresswoman Schakowsky to protect these beautiful creatures.”“As a former horse owner, I have been a leader in efforts to ban horse slaughter in the United States for many years,” said Schakowsky. “I am once again partnering with Congressman Vern Buchanan in introducing the SAFE Act to amend the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 to prohibit the slaughter of equines for human consumption, both domestically and abroad. It is beyond time to end this brutal and dangerous practice. Horses are not food. As a proud animal lover, we owe it to our horse companions to protect their welfare.”“I’m proud to join my colleagues to introduce bipartisan legislation to permanently ban the slaughter of horses for human consumption. Unlike cattle, horses aren’t raised as food animals in the United States,” said Luján. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this bill to protect our nation’s horses while maintaining support for meat and poultry markets.”Last year, approximately 19,000 horses were exported to Canada and Mexico for slaughter—the lowest number in at least 45 years. Even one horse being shipped off to slaughter is one too many, however, and now is an opportune time to pass a ban.“Although the overall decline in American horses being exported for human consumption is a sign of progress, more than 19,000 horses are still being trucked across the border each year as part of the predatory horse slaughter pipeline. This industry needs to be shut down once and for all,” said Susan Millward, executive director and chief executive officer at the Animal Welfare Institute. “We are immensely grateful to Congressman Buchanan, Congresswoman Schakowsky, Senator Graham, and Senator Luján for their outstanding leadership on the SAFE Act and we hope that Congress will move quickly to protect America’s horses from slaughter.”“Despite overwhelming public opposition to horse slaughter, a legal loophole still allows tens of thousands of American horses to be shipped to other countries for slaughter each year. Not only is horse slaughter cruel and unnecessary, but the existence of the slaughter pipeline itself stifles rescue and rehoming efforts, putting equine welfare at risk,” said Nancy Perry, senior vice president of government relations for the ASPCA. “Equine industry and animal welfare groups are working daily to solve equine welfare issues on the ground, but we cannot fully succeed while the slaughter pipeline remains open. We are so grateful to Senators Graham and Luján and Representatives Buchanan and Schakowsky for their dedication to starting a new chapter for America’s equines and championing the SAFE Act to secure an end to horse slaughter.”America’s equine adoption community is working swiftly to match the horses in their care with foster and adoptive families, increasing the number of adoptions every year, and research shows that 2.3 million Americans have both the interest and resources to adopt a horse. This means that there are options available for the tens of thousands of horses who were exported to slaughter last year. Many could have a home waiting, if given the opportunity to find it, or compassionate end-of-life care provided by a veterinarian close to home. As long as the financial incentive for slaughter exists, however, it will continue to hamper the lifesaving efforts of rescue and welfare groups to provide humane care to equines.The slaughter industry not only exploits horses who must endure grueling journeys and inhumane deaths but also harms the broader equine community, including horse owners, riders, and rescues. Kill buyers—those who buy horses to ship to slaughterhouses in Canada and Mexico—attend auctions and often outbid individuals who could provide those horses loving homes, which also forces rescue groups to divert limited resources from other lifesaving work to compete with this industry. Kill buyers also have been known to pose as good homes in response to ads from horse owners who can no longer care for their animals. Many owners are so afraid their horses will end up at slaughter that they may even keep them beyond the point that they can afford basic care, causing further suffering.“The pipeline to slaughter is a death sentence for horses, subjecting them to unimaginable suffering. These majestic animals, who have helped build this nation, are deserving of compassion and kindness, not cruelty. It’s time to end their horrifying journey to slaughter, where many suffer brutal abuse long before they arrive,” said Sara Amundson, president of Humane World Action Fund. "Horse slaughter for human consumption is an industry that shows a complete disregard for these loyal and noble animals. We call on lawmakers to support Senators Graham and Luján and Representatives Buchanan and Schakowsky in their efforts to pass the Save America’s Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act and put an end to this inhumane practice once and for all.”“This bipartisan legislation would at last put an end to the thousands of inhumane deaths suffered each year by American horses, both domestic and wild, while saving the government time and money that are being wasted on a shrinking, foreign-driven industry,” said Neda DeMayo, president of Return to Freedom Wild Horse Conservation.Members of the public are encouraged to contact their US senators and representatives to urge them to cosponsor the SAFE Act and secure its swift passage to protect horses, their caregivers, and consumers. Media Contact Information Marjorie Fishman, Animal Welfare Institutemargie@awionline.org, (202) 446-2128Maureen Linehan, ASPCAmaureen.linehan@aspca.org, (646) 628-0006Emily Gugel, Humane World for Animals/Humane World Action Fundeehrhorn@humanesociety.org, (202) 779-1814Cory Golden, Return to Freedomoutreach@returntofreedom.org, (805) 737-9246 The Animal Welfare Institute (awionline.org) is a nonprofit charitable organization founded in 1951 and dedicated to alleviating animal suffering caused by people. We seek to improve the welfare of animals everywhere: in agriculture, in commerce, in our homes and communities, in research, and in the wild. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, and LinkedIn for updates and other important animal protection news.For over 70 years, Humane World for Animals—formerly called Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International—has worked to tackle the root causes of animal cruelty and suffering and create permanent change. Driving for the greatest global impact, we aim to achieve the vision behind our name. With millions of supporters and work happening in over 50 countries, we address the most deeply entrenched forms of animal cruelty and suffering, by working on the biggest problems and creating long-term solutions for lasting change. We tackle the root causes of animal cruelty by shifting human behavior and advocating for policy change, making change at scale. We work across borders, bringing diverse expertise to the most complex issues, and doing it all with a compassionate and welcoming approach. As the leading voice in the animal protection space, we work to end the cruelest practices, care for animals in crisis and build a stronger animal protection movement. Since 1954, we’ve helped to pass hundreds of landmark laws, rescued thousands of animals, and cared for and protected millions more. Our political affiliate in the United States, Humane World Action Fund, formerly Humane Society Legislative Fund, works to advance our mission by passing animal protection laws at the state and federal levels, educating the public about animal protection issues, and supporting humane candidates for office.Return to Freedom Wild Horse Conservation (RTF) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the freedom, diversity and habitat of wild horses and burros through sanctuary, education, advocacy and conservation since 1998. We operate the American Wild Horse Sanctuary in California, caring for more than 460 wild horses and burros. Follow us on social media @returntofreedom for updates about wild horses and burros on the range and at our sanctuary.