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PMU Horses in Danger of SlaughterFrom United Animal Nations
Second major Wyeth "layoff" puts tens of thousands of horses in danger of slaughter. UAN calls upon pharmaceutical giant to act responsibly, offers adoption Web site as alternative. CONTACT: Alexis Raymond, United Animal Nations, (916) 429-2457 or (916) 204-3831 SACRAMENTO, CA (April 26, 2005)
Wyeth today announced it also plans to pursue voluntary and mandatory retirements of another 33 ranchers in Canada and North Dakota - leaving tens of thousands more unwanted mares and their foals "out of work." While Wyeth claims it will offer financial assistance to ranchers for feed and herd health care while horses are placed in "productive markets," UAN is beseeching Wyeth to provide funding geared specifically toward encouraging ranchers to spare horses from slaughter. UAN has heard recent reports of horse meat trading for between 10 and 45 cents per pound. "It is completely irresponsible for Wyeth to put this many lives at risk without offering ranchers an incentive to save them," UAN president Jennifer Fearing said. "All of the mares are pregnant again and will foal in the coming weeks. PMU mares have provided Wyeth with billions of dollars over the decades and the company is certainly in a position to prevent these horses from ending up on foreign dinner tables - and they have a moral obligation to do so." UAN responded to Wyeth's last major round of layoffs in late 2003 by creating PMURescue.org, an online database of adoptable PMU horses. Rescue organizations and ranchers post horses on this popular Web site at no charge, exposing them to potential adopters. UAN also offers an Adoption Incentive Program, awarding $75 cash to adopting individuals to defray the costs of transporting the horses to their new homes. "We have in place a tool and incentives that can help PMU ranchers do the right thing for their horses," said Fearing. "We've saved more than 500 horses and know that our site can mean the difference between life and death for those whose fate has just been seriously threatened. But Wyeth must buy the ranchers time if we're to be of any use." Families interested in adopting can use PMURescue.org to search for individual characteristics such as age, gender and breed. Photos of each horse are included, as are notes by the current caregiver about temperament and health. Background
Since several research studies have alerted women and their doctors to the health risks associated with taking these animal-based hormone replacement drugs, prescriptions for Wyeth's Premarin and Prempro have plummeted. According to Wyeth, they need less PMU due to changes in the market, a shift to lower doses and improved inventory management. Founded in 1987, United Animal Nations (UAN) is the nation's leading provider of emergency animal sheltering and disaster relief services and a key advocate for the critical needs of companion animals. Anyone interested in adopting a PMU horse can visit the following website: www.pmurescue.org (project of United Animal Nations). Potential Canadian adopters may also phone TRACS at: 778-754-5522 or e-mail:tracs@shaw.ca. We have a screening process for adoptive homes, as well as an adoption contract. A veterinary reference is mandatory. |
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Home - Programs - Ongoing Projects - Latest News - Newsletter - Search Horse Adoptions - PMU Foal Caravan - Membership - Links - Site Map The Responsible Animal Care Society PO Box 26097, Westbank, BC, V4T 2G3 778-754-5522 (tel) info@tracs-bc.ca |
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