CINDY THOMAS OF HORSE HEROES ALBERTA

Marie writes:

I first came to know of Cindy Thomas in 2018 when her horse Molly, a Clydesdale was stolen from her ranch in Alberta, Canada. The story went viral on social media and was picked up by press across the nation.

At the time Cindy wasn’t fully aware of what was going on with horses being slaughtered in Canada for human consumption, and she was appalled as she started to learn more.

I was totally blown away with how she handled the press that Molly’s story received, how even though she was, of course, extremely upset that her horse was missing — Cindy never missed a chance to tie into the interivews how horses are slaughtered in Canada for human consumption.

You can watch the TV interviews and learn more about Molly here.

550+ HORSES REMOVED FROM THE SLAUGHTER PIPELINE

AN OPEN LETTER TO CANADIAN MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT  

BY CINDY THOMAS | HORSE HEROES ALBERTA

I’d like to make you aware of a profound concern I have regarding horses here in Alberta. Our agriculture industry is still classifying equines as livestock, and allowing inhumane treatment and slaughter of horses for human consumption.

For the last two years, I’ve been active in saving over 550 horses from the slaughter pipeline.

I’ve attended auction sales at least twice monthly.

At every sale, I’ve witnessed horses in severely compromised conditions.

Horses with broken legs, severe injuries, illegally sedated horses (which permits toxic substances to get into the food chain via commonly used drugs such as phenylbutazone).

I’ve witnessed mares heavy in gestation, horses that are completely blind, emaciated horses and so much more.

I’ve had young foals die in my arms from hypothermia, I’ve also taken horses straight to the vet from sales to humanely euthanize them, and this is just the start of a continuous cycle.

Horses are suffering because auctions are turning a blind eye to inhumane treatment, and the rules and regulations in regards to horses at auctions are sadly very sparse and need improvement.

Please note I have documents photos and vet reports to substantiate the above claims.

Recently Jann Arden, a Juno award winning singer, songwriter and actress, hosted an ‘All Party Animal Welfare Caucus’ meeting on Zoom.

Over 50 interested MPs were in attendance, because of the public outcry that’s gaining phenomenal momentum.

Because of that same momentum W 5 and Maclean’s Magazine are in the process of doing additional pieces exposing how cruel horse slaughter is.

In 2011, under President Obama, the USA banned any type of funding for commercial horse slaughter, therefore shutting down any federally funded horse slaughter facilities.  Canada could easily do the same.

In Alberta, there are at least 58 registered equestrian facilities, a minimum of 80 equine clubs, 45+ licensed equine assisted learning facilities (including trauma rehab for veterans), 16 equine specialist veterinarians, and a huge number of care givers (farriers, equine dentists, etc.).

There are over 12 large established Horse Rescue facilities in our province, showing the need for an honorable venue for horses in need.

This is not even remotely comparative to any other animal classified as livestock.   Horses clearly are unique, and should not continue to be in this AG classification.

There are approximately eight places in Alberta that breed horses intentionally for human consumption.  The number of horses sent for slaughter far surpasses the number specifically bred for this purpose.  95% of horses that enter the Bouvry slaughter plant were raised for pleasure and recreational purposes.

It is morally and ethically unacceptable to send a companion to be butchered and more and more Canadians are recognizing the need for change.

A recent Nanos poll shows a substantial 69% of Canadians are vehemently opposed to horses being slaughtered.

The movement to prevent our beloved horses from continuing to die at the hands of a 22-caliber rifle within Alberta, and a movement to prevent horses from being inhumanely transported to Japan for slaughter is growing exponentially every day.

Please note using a .22-calibre rifle to slaughter a horse, which is how Bouvry Exports here in Alberta slaughters horses, when that calibre is not legal for hunting purposes of an animal even half the size of a horse — is barbaric.

This clearly isn’t a case of farmers raising cattle to put food on our neighbors’ table, but rather, pet owners shirking responsibility and utilizing an inhumane system to dispose of an animal.  We’re not permitted to do this to cats or dogs, and horses to the majority are viewed as the same, pets or companion animals, not livestock.

Please, join us in continuing to push this awareness forward.

Your supporters want to see an end to this cruelty and we genuinely hope you recognize how you can help us achieve this.

I, along with a multitude of other advocates, constituents, media outlets and more, have generated a variety of resolutions to implement a higher set of standards that we as Canadians are used to.

I would love the opportunity to discuss this with you further.

Cindy Thomas

Founder/ President of Horse Heroes Alberta

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