Saved From Slaughter: Paws of War Rescues Two Horses, Spotlights Hidden Horse Slaughter Trade and Urges Public to Take Action

Photo courtesy of Paws of War | Wren Eating for the first time

Paws of War is on a mission to raise awareness about the horrific horse slaughter trade and rescue as many horses as possible.

What people around the country don’t know about the horse slaughter trade is fueling a cruel and horrific industry. Paws of War is on a mission to help rescue the horses and raise awareness, so that the public can get involved in ending the cruel practice. A team of veterans and volunteers with Humane Warriors, just rescued two horses from a well-known Pennsylvania horse auction frequented by kill buyers, and would have rescued many more if they had the funds to do so. They urgently need the public to get involved to help save horses and bring this disgusting trade to an end.

“These horses were hours from disappearing into the slaughter trade,” said Marcy Baker, Equine Director of Humane Warriors Rescue Rance. “Our veterans and volunteers walked into that auction knowing exactly what kill buyers were there to do. They brought two horses home. Those horses will be cared for by veterans and first responders, and they will help care for them in return. That is the point of Humane Warriors.”

Paws of War is on a mission that serves two purposes

– to save horses from being sold into the meat trade and then rehabilitate the horses to be a part of the Humane Warriors Rescue Ranch in Preston, Conn., where they will help veterans who suffer from PTSD. Paws of War rescued two horses from Pa., auction by having a veteran and volunteer attend the auction. One is a caretaker from Humane Warriors Rescue Ranch, a Paws of War initiative, and the other, Jesse, is a veteran who works with the organization. What they witnessed at the horse auction was heartbreaking and disgusted them both.

A key part of the horse slaughter pipeline is the “kill buyer,” a term used for individuals or dealers who purchase horses at auctions and other sales with the intention of reselling or transporting them into the slaughter supply chain. Horses purchased by kill buyers may be transported long distances before being sent across the U.S. border to slaughter facilities in Canada or Mexico. For horses sold at auction, being purchased by a kill buyer can mean quickly entering the slaughter pipeline unless a rescue organization intervenes.

Many of the horses that arrive at the auction,

have been used, abused, and spit out as they are no longer needed or found necessary by those who owned them. They are often used for breeding, are considered surplus horses, cart horses, are ex-racing horses, etc. As witnessed at the auction, they are typically in bad shape and went through horrendous conditions to be transported. Many are sick, have open wounds, untreated injuries, and their bodies show clear signs of neglect.

The two rescued horses that they named, Wren and Baxter, were transported to the rescue ranch, where they are receiving proper medical care. Wren is a 9-year-old horse who has broken teeth from restraints likely used during breeding and had a severely cut tail that went into the muscle. Baxter is emaciated, has deep scars, gouges, and severely neglected hooves. Both horses are extremely underweight and will require 1,000 pounds of weight gain between the two of them to bring them to a healthy level. Both horses have had a lifetime of being emotionally and physically beaten down. Without Paws of War stepping in, they would have gone to slaughter and into the meat industry.

Now, their lives are taking a dramatically different path and they are well on their way to becoming therapy horses helping veterans.

Once Wren and Baxter receive the veterinary care they need and are nursed back to health, the goal is for them to become therapy horses at the Humane Warriors Rescue Ranch. Instead of facing slaughter, they will have the opportunity to live in a safe, caring environment while helping Veterans and others who can benefit from the healing connection between people and horses. It is a remarkable second chance for two animals that had been discarded and a powerful example of what can happen when horses are rescued from the slaughter pipeline.

Paws of War previously rescued two other horses that are now helping veterans at the ranch as well. Tobias and Darla were headed for slaughter once their owner decided they were no longer of use. They arrived at the ranch in dire condition, but now live a safe life, playing in the snow, running, and receiving daily care. The pair being at the ranch helped U.S. Marine Corp veteran Chris Aubin, who visited the ranch looking for a way to move forward following service. When the organization rescues a horse it doesn’t know who’s life it will impact or possibly help save. The horses provide equine therapy, helping the veteran with whatever they bring to the stall. Equine-assisted therapy has been used for decades to help with trauma.

Paws of War,

is urging the public to learn more about the horse slaughter meat trade taking place in America and to get involved to help bring it to an end. Here are some important things to know about it:

• A federal ban on horse slaughter in the United States was passed in 2007, but this wasn’t the end of the practice. Horses from the U.S. are routinely being transported to be slaughtered in Canada and Mexico. 
• People can get involved to help end this practice by learning everything they can about it, speaking out, and writing their representatives to request stricter laws about transporting the animals for slaughter. They can also support organizations, such as Paws of War, in their efforts to raise awareness and rescue the horses destined for slaughter.

“People have to know the pipeline is still operating, and that action is needed. We will save as many as we are able. The veterans on this team are not done,” added Robert Misseri, co-founder of Paws of War. “We will do everything we can to help as many horses as we are able to. We appreciate everyone who supports what we do to help make it possible.”

Many veterans have been helped at the Humane Warriors Rescue Ranch and many more will be helped. To get more information about the Humane Warriors Initiative by Paws of War or donate to support the mission, visit the site at: https://humanewarriors.org/donate

Paws of War focuses on helping active duty soldiers and veterans in various ways. They have helped relocate the rescued pets of overseas military members. They have helped veterans with numerous issues, including suicide prevention, service and support dogs, companion cats and dogs, food insecurity, veterinary care, etc. Paws of War has a large, loyal following of supporters and looks forward to working with new corporate sponsors to support these life-saving programs. To donate to help their missions, visit their site at http://pawsofwar.org.

About Paws of War

Paws of War is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization that assists military members and their pets, rescues and trains dogs to be service dogs, and provides companion animals to veterans and first responders. To learn more about Paws of War and the programs provided or donate, visit its site at http://pawsofwar.org.