Our
Mission
The
Gingersnap Girls Equine Education and Rescue Foundation was founded
in 2004 becoming a 501 (c) (3) organization classified with the
IRS as a public charity in 2005.
We
were founded in honor and memory of three mares, Calypso, Flag,
and Chrissy who were each saved from the slaughter truck and who
each had an abiding and overwhelming love of gingersnaps!
The mission and purposes of the Gingersnap Girls Foundation are
threefold:
1)
to raise funds in order to assist equine shelters, so that they
may continue basic rescuing, sheltering, and adopting out of equines
that may otherwise have lived lives of abuse or may have been
slaughterbound (the majority of the funds raised for these
shelters are earmarked for medical care);
2)
to raise awareness through education of the general public (not
just horsepersons) to the plight of slaughterbound equines, in
addition to all equine abuse and neglect, and,
3)
to raise funds toward the goal of having a small equine shelter
and educational facility under the name of The Gingersnap Girls
Foundation.
As
previously stated one of our missions is to educate the general
public regarding equine abuses. Top on our list is the horrific
conditions suffered by slaughterbound equines, both aboard the
"killer" truck and upon arrival at the slaughterhouse.
As well over 4 million American horses (and counting) have
been slaughtered in the US and Canada since 1981, with the meat
exported to Europe and Japan for human consumption, we feel that
this education is a most pressing concern.
Among our immediate plans are:
- Networking with other humane organizations throughout the United
States to assist with equine placements. When a "guardian"
finds himself or herself unable to care for/afford their equine
companion, we are striving to assist them in placing them into
approved, caring homes. So many people believe that the "livestock
sale" is the only answer - we are trying to educate as to
what, quite frequently, may happen to their companion. The Gingersnap
Girls Foundation is about finding alternatives for these "at
risk" horses.
-
The Gingersnap Girls Foundation has been working on a particularly
important project this past year. We are seeking individuals who
may have an empty stall in their barn, or a field with a run in
shed to be used in case of emergency shelter for in need equines.
These Safe Haven stalls/fields would be used for a minimum of
two weeks to shelter an equine that is in immediate need.
We
have found "foster parents" who are willing to
give of their time and money to feed, and oft times give medical
care for their foster horse. We have had instances that a Safe
Haven stall was available, but The Gingersnap Girls Foundation
must pay all costs, so we are always seeking financial support.
- The Gingersnap Girls Foundation is also serving as "a
number to call with any equine concern." For example,
we were contacted a couple of weeks ago by a local veterinarian
who had just euthanized a horse who had become acutely ill. His
"guardian" had another horse and decided that she did
not want to keep this other horse.
The Gingersnap Girls Foundation was there for this "guardian"
and sought out another home for this unwanted equine.
The Gingersnap Girls Foundation was also contacted regarding an
aged Thoroughbred broodmare who could no longer be bred. Her "guardian"
was an elderly woman who could no longer afford to keep her if
she was not breeding her. She was going to take her to a livestock
sale. This broodmare, though in good health, was 21 years old,
debilitated from having three foals in three years, and had a
past leg injury requiring care. Had this horse gone to a livestock
sale, it is most probable that she would have been immediately
bought by "killer" buyers and suffered that last
ride to the slaughter house.
-
The Gingersnap Girls Foundation will always strive to end all
horse slaughter. Horse slaughter is an American disgrace and must
be ended. In the meantime, we are seeking more humane means of
transporting these horses to the slaughterhouse and much more
humane handling at the slaughterhouse itself. This must be ended!
The
Gingersnap Girls Foundation attends many local events, setting
up our booth with many equine educational materials, photos, and
"how you can help"
information. We appeal to everyone, not just "horse people."
We make ourselves very accessible and available, so that everyone
can learn - even those who have never touched a horse.
Our
foundation was started because the need was great for equine education
for the general public. So many people feel that if they are not
horse people, they cannot get involved. We are striving to let
everyone know that that is not true. If anyone of us turns our
head on abuse of any kind, to any animal or any person, we are
condoning what is going on. To make the abuse stop, we must speak
up. To do this, is by education and knowledge.
Thank
you for this opportunity to share our wonderful organization with
you.
