On behalf of America’s wild and domestic equines, we’re calling for the urgent amendment of the Save America’s Forgotten Equines, or SAFE, Act (H.R. 1661/S.775). We will regularly update this page with new information, so please visit it frequently. We will also post updates on our social media outlets, including Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky.
CALL TO ACTION
AMEND THE SAFE ACT TO PROTECT AMERICA’S HORSES ENTIRELY FROM SLAUGHTER
It is more important than ever to finally pass a ban on horse slaughter that gets the whole job done without loopholes. Let’s be clear: To the Horse, it makes no difference if he or she is slaughtered for human consumption or animal consumption. Slaughter is slaughter! The cruelty and the suffering are exactly the same, so let’s get it right once and for all! We owe it to our horses to end slaughter for any purpose and for any kind of consumption. Nothing less is acceptable.
With 2026 now here, I would like to quickly get to the point, as the fate of America’s wild and domestic equines could be decided during the new 119th Congress. The vast majority of Americans want a total ban on horse slaughter, but there are a few in the minority who seem to be okay with having just a little slaughter. No can do!
Now with 220 cosponsors, the SAFE Act (H.R. 1661/S.775) could qualify to be taken forward as a discharge petition and brought to the House floor for a vote. We strongly urge the bill’s official sponsor, Florida Congressman Vern Buchanan, to amend the bill, as it only addresses the slaughter of horses for human consumption. It does not address horses slaughtered for animal consumption, which is a huge problem and needs to be fixed. This issue can easily be corrected by removing the word “human” from the bill, so it solely reads for “consumption.” That would cover banning the slaughter of horses for both human and animal (pet/zoo food) consumption.
Another simple, but extremely important, amendment to the SAFE Act is to add the word “intra” (meaning within a state), thus ensuring protection for horses in three vital areas. The bill already prohibits equines being shipped for slaughter to other countries (for “export”) as well as crossing into other states for that purpose (“interstate”). But the prohibition also needs to include slaughter within a state. Adding the word “intra” to the bill would accomplish that goal.
I really want to support the SAFE Act and will do so enthusiastically, but cannot at this point since some of the same horses who would have gone over the border into Mexico for human consumption would still be allowed to go over for pet food or other forms of animal consumption. After more than three decades of failing to pass a law banning horse slaughter (thanks primarily to certain factions of the horse industry, the ranching industry, as well as the “friendly fire”), why should we not insist on a total horse slaughter ban and get rid of this repugnant practice once and for all?
We will keep you updated on any new developments.
– Susan Wagner, President
HOW TO TAKE ACTION
• Check to see if any of your Representatives have become cosponsors of this bill. Ask your Representative if he or she would support adding the two simple amendments outlined here.
• Contact Congressman Vern Buchanan and ask him to amend the SAFE Act so it would completely ban the slaughter of horses for consumption of any kind.
• Download this SAFE Act Action Alert and share it so others are informed on how they can help.
• Spread the word in all the ways available to you. Time is of the essence!
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