PMU Foal Caravan

Learn about the PMU Foal Caravan here and see the 2002 accounts from September and October. Also read Kathy Sabin's story of Molly.



PREMARIN FOAL CARAVAN: Hoofbeats Across the Heart of America

Led by Frank Weller, Campaign Organizer

A group of people involved in Premarin foals rescues, including Helen Meredith of United Pegasus Foundation, Dr. Ray Kellosalmi, and Sinikka Crosland of TRACS in Canada, have joined forces with Frank Weller in organizing a caravan to accompany a truckload of rescued Premarin foals as it heads to the East Coast. The goal of this caravan is to heighten public awareness of the plight of the Premarin horses ... and to hopefully find homes for some of the foals. The caravan will include a trailer with 15 Premarin foals rescued from the Winnipeg area as well as any trucks or trailers that can follow the truckload of foals with signs or banners highlighting the issue. Below is the latest update on the caravan as well as a sample letter that can be sent to the media to help promote the caravan. HOOFBEATS ACROSS THE HEART OF AMERICA

****WESTERN FOAL CARAVAN ARRIVES IN HEMET, CALIFORNIA, OCTOBER 5, 2002!****

The western foal caravan, led by Dr. Ray Kellosalmi of Kelowna, B.C., has now reached its final destination. One little horse found an excellent home en route in Sacramento, and the remaining 17 foals, all in good health, continued the journey to the United Pegasus Foundation sanctuary in Hemet, CA. Once there, they joined two hundred other foals awaiting adoption (note that numerous sanctuaries throughout the U.S.A. are sheltering UPF foals....the rescued number over 500! ) Anyone interested in adopting a PMU foal should get in touch with Helen Meredith of UPF; contact and adoption information can be found on the website of United Pegasus Foundation, http://www.unitedpegasus.com.

Frank Weller in background

Cortney with Molly

Major media coverage was obtained en route. Both KING and KOMO TV, as well as a popular Seattle AM radio station, aired the story of the caravan and plight of the foals on October 3rd. FOX TV in Fresno met the foals on October 5th. As a result of the caravan, two Los Angeles TV stations have expressed interest in covering the PMU story, and indicated that they would be visiting the Hemet sanctuary.

More "cyber bouquets" are in order now that the western caravan is complete: Our sincere thanks are extended to the Rendon family for providing overnight sanctuary to the foals in Rescue, California (that's not a typo....the town is actually called "Rescue"!) and also for their hospitality in looking after the human travelers....Thank you to the Country Village Shopping Center in Bothell, WA, for a wonderful reception....they welcomed the foals with open arms and blocked off an area in their parking lot for the media event! A bouquet to the Ride and Rest Horse Hostel in Oakland, Oregon, as well....the big-hearted folks at this horse "hotel" greeted the travelers in the middle of the night and placed the foals in a large indoor arena to rest. We are also appreciative of the efforts and participation of all supporters en route who contributed to the success of this campaign; you are too numerous to list, but you know who you are!...and on behalf of the foals....thank you!

Eating

Molly with our cat Lewis

Even though the foals have reached their destination, melting the hearts of millions of North American viewers during their travels, this issue is far from over. We are very touched and inspired by the many, many supporters and participants who have contributed to the success of both eastern and western caravans. At this time, a large network of rescuers and activists is poised to prompt a rapid end to the PMU industry and horse slaughter, and we will actively be working upon achieving this goal. If you would like to be a part of our pro-active international campaign, please send an e-mail to: tracs@shaw.ca.

Quick computer keyboard activism to help achieve an end to exploitation of horses: Below you will find a copy/paste letter which can be sent electronically to Wyeth Pharmaceuticals and c.c.'d to major newspapers across the continent (just copy/paste the e-mail addresses into your "Cc" field):


To Wyeth Pharmaceuticals,
pr@wyeth.com

I am writing to express my support of HOOFBEATS ACROSS THE HEART OF AMERICA (PREMARIN FOAL RESCUE MOVEMENT). Between September 24th and October 5, 2002, caravans of rescued PMU foals traveled from Winnipeg, Manitoba to the United States, fanning out to sanctuaries on the eastern seaboard and the west coast. I feel so strongly about this issue that I will inform all of my contacts about the factory farming situation from which they have escaped.

These innocent foals are living proof that your industry is responsible for the rampant over-breeding of horses in North America. This, in turn, results in the slaughter of tens of thousands of our beautiful equine friends every single year. Further, as documented in recent news, women taking Prempro (Premarin plus Progestin) run a significantly increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, blood clots and breast cancer. It has also been reported that the 10- year- use of estrogen therapy appears to be associated with a 60% increased risk of ovarian cancer.

I feel that it is high time for Wyeth Pharmaceuticals to start taking some responsibility for the lives of horses used in the Pregnant Mare Urine industry. The slaughter of foals should not be beyond the extent of your involvement!

I believe that it is time to kill the industry, not women and foals!

Yours truly,
______________________________________

c.c. major U.S. newspapers

Copy/paste the e-mail addresses below into your "Cc" field:

letters@latimes.com; letters@laweekly.com; dhardisty@bakersfield.com; letters@fresnobee.com;rfisher@pe.com; mdianda@angnewspapers.com; lmclaughlin@angnewspapers.com; twinckler@angnewspapers.com; newstips@mail.tribnet.com; editor@eugeneweekly.com; mmistere@salem.gannett.com; wseditor@robinsonnews.com;fwnews@seanet.com; hltimes@seanet.com; rbrill@timesunion.com; diane.stanczak@mcall.com; news@saratogian.com; tspinelli@ctpost.com; wflynn@buffnews.com; dholt@tribune.com; editorial@chicagodefender.com; dodge@suntimes.com;ereed@plaind.com; gclark@dispatch.com; bheisse@patriot-news.com; keith.manring@indystar.com; mccrea@madison.com; pglende@madison.com; editor@shepherd-express.com; moleary@nhregister.com; mmueller@starledger.com; news@thehour.com; heinek@phillynews.com; cmccoy@phillynews.com; hhoward@democratandchronicle.com; dburnett@timesshamrock.com; mgrogan@syracuse.com; jwilhelm@theblade.com; lcolangelo@edit.nydailynews.com; nytnews@nytimes.com; shildebrandt@startribune.com

Snoring

Teri hanging out with the foals.

For past news updates see September and October pages.