ASPCA Issues Statement on Lawsuit to Remove Board of Directors of Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation

NEW YORK—The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) today applauded Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman for taking legal action against the board of directors of Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF), following an investigation into TRF’s failure to provide proper and basic care for the 1,100 horses in its care.

"We are grateful to Attorney General Schneiderman and his team for taking action on behalf of retired racing thoroughbreds," said Jacque Schultz, senior director of the ASPCA Equine Fund. "After giving their all on the track, these horses deserve after-care that guarantees them a safe environment with plentiful food and appropriate veterinary, farrier and dental care."

TRF was a year-one recipient of funding in the ASPCA's Million Dollar Rescuing Racers Initiative in 2010; however after failure to provide veterinary inspection reports or obtain proper accreditation as part of the grant agreement, the ASPCA decided that it would not consider TRF for year-two funding in 2011. The Million Dollar Rescuing Racers Initiative was designed to save retired racehorses from neglect, abuse, and slaughter by enabling each of the groups to responsibly increase their capacity, rescue more horses and provide a high level of care. 

Added Schultz: "Given the intent of the grant program, we were very disappointed in TRF's animal care oversight and that they were not adhering to operational best practices."

ASPCA Equine Fund provides grants to non-profit equine welfare organizations in the United States for purposes in alignment with its efforts to protect horses. The ASPCA Equine Fund grants program seeks to award equine organizations that strive to achieve best practices, including sound horse care, maintenance of up-to-date websites and robust fundraising practices.

In 2011 alone, the ASPCA awarded $1,682,352 in the form of 183 grants to support equine rescue groups in 38 states. This number represented a $600,000 increase over 2010 – the first year equine grants exceeded the million dollar mark.