Press

Reiki Certification Classes

Return to Freedom, American Wild Horse Sanctuary near Lompoc, is hosting Reiki Certification Classes at the Sanctuary:
Reiki Level I & II - March 1st and 2nd, 2008
Reiki Master Class - 3 day intensive, February 29th, March 1st and 2nd, 2008
All classes are scheduled from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.

Facilitator: Cindy Rackley, Reiki Master and Teacher. Cindy has many years of experience in teaching and utilizing Reiki for creating health and balance in both animals and humans. More information is available at her website: www.cindyrackley.com. Read More...

April 2007: Return to Freedom receives Rescue Spotlight Award

Return to Freedom is honored to have received the first ever "Rescue Spotlight Award" from the American Horse Defense Fund (AHDF). To learn more about this award, click here.

New "Veterinarians for Equine Welfare" Website

New organization provides information on horse slaughter and end of life options from a veterinarian's perspective. Visit them online at vetsforequinewelfare.org

April 2007

The American Horse Defense Fund (AHDF), a national equine welfare organization, announces its first rescue resource program, the Rescue Spotlight Award. Each month the AHDF staff will select an exceptional equine rescue that will be highlighted on the AHDF website and will receive the AHDF Rescue Spotlight Award. The award comes with a donation for the rescue to use to help facilitate their equine rescue efforts. Additionally, at the end of each year an award for Rescue of the Year will be awarded to one of the monthly winners. This ongoing program is the first of several programs the AHDF plans to implement in the next two years to enhance and support rescues nationwide. Full article...

Tuesday, Jan. 9 2006: Cavalia Gallops To Orange County

FAREWELL NORTH AMERICAN ENGAGEMENT
Opening Night To Benefit Return To Freedom
Grand —scale show, featuring 54 magnificent horses and 37 artists, makes its Orange County debut, opening Tuesday, January 9, 2007 with 100 "A" level tickets made to benefit Return to Freedom, Wild Horse Sanctuary of Lompoc, California.

The acclaimed Cavalia, the spectacular equestrian odyssey, will have its farewell North American engagement Tuesday, January 9, 8 PM - presented under its majestic White Big Top on the grounds at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine. Cavalia has chosen Return to Freedom as beneficiary of their farewell opening night with 100 specially priced tickets. After this limited engagement Cavalia will beging their European tour. More info...

USDA Bows to Pressure from Horse Slaughter Industry, Ignores U.S. Congress and the American Public

Today the USDA announced that they will allow horse slaughter for human consumption to continue, despite a recent amendment to the Agriculture Appropriations bill that was designed to ban horse slaughter in the U.S. for one fiscal year. The amendment cut funding for USDA inspectors at horse slaughter facilities. Without inspection, the meat cannot legally be exported overseas where it is consumed as a delicacy in Europe and Asia.

The Amendment passed both chambers of Congress with bi-partisan support, by landslide votes. As evidence of public support, the House of Representatives alone reported receiving more than 25,000 calls, emails and letters on the subject. Despite overwhelming opposition to horse slaughter from both the US Congress and the American public, the USDA has accepted a petition from the foreign owned slaughter plants to allow a "fee-for-service" inspection system whereby the plants will pay the USDA for their services.

This announcement by the USDA demonstrates total disregard for the intent of the law, and the voice of the American public. What it boils down to is that a foreign owned industry has successfully persuaded a US Government agency to find a loophole in the law. This is outrageous and we need to let Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns know that his actions are inexcusable. The USDA is accepting public comments on this matter until March 10th, 2006. It is very important that they hear from concerned Americans. Please contact the Secretary today and let him know that Americans do not eat horsemeat and that we oppose the slaughter of horses for human consumption. Moreover, remind him that his job is to IMPLEMENT the law, not find ways around it.

Submit comments to:

Docket Clerk
Docket Number 05-036IF
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Food Safety and Inspection Service
300 12th Street, SW
Room 102 Cotton Annex
Washington, DC 20250

E-mail: fsis.regulationscomments@fsis.usda.gov

USDA Considering Loophole to Skirt Recent Horse Slaughter Ban

With landslide votes in the both the House and Senate, the US Congress passed an amendment banning horse slaughter in the US for one fiscal year. Bi-partisan support of this amendment was underscored by a massive outpouring of letters, phone calls, and emails from American citizens urging the Congress to end this abhorrent industry. Yet despite the clear message that both US citizens and Federal lawmakers have sent, the USDA is considering a proposal from European owned slaughter facilities to skirt this new law.

The amendment sought to end horse slaughter by prohibiting funding for USDA inspectors at horse slaughter facilities. Without inspection, the meat cannot legally be shipped overseas where it is marketed for human consumption in Europe and Asia. Ignoring the US Congress and the American public, the three horse slaughter plants petitioned the USDA to consider a "fee-for-service" plan whereby the plants would pay for USDA inspection.

America's wild horses are also in jeopardy of being slaughtered, due to the gutting of the Wild Free Roaming Horse and Burro Act by US Senator Conrad Burns. In the fall of 2004, Senator Burns slipped language into a 3000 page budget bill, legalizing the slaughter of America's wild horses. With thousands already in federal holding facilities and
continued round ups, wild horses are facing their last stand. Do not let the foreign owned slaughter industry succeed in putting our living heritage on dinner plates in France!

Please contact Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns today and urge him to deny the horse slaughter industry's petition. The USDA's job is to implement laws, not look for ways around them. Americans value the role that the horse has played in shaping our history and our culture, and recognize the many ways in which horses have served, and continue to serve, mankind. To allow these noble creatures to spend their final days in a feedlot, and endure the barbarism of horse slaughter, is the ultimate betrayal of one that has provided such faithful service.

Contact Secretary Johanns Today At:

PH: 202 720-3631
Fax: 202 720-2166
Email: mike.johanns@usda.gov

41 Wild Horses Slaughtered

In April, 2005, a total of 41 wild horses were slaughtered under the new Burns legislation. Devastated, but not surprised, Return to Freedom began alerting the public, the media and even Hollywood about this senseless tragedy. On April 27th, a press conference was held with Members of Congress in Washington, DC. This is what Hollywood celebrities had to say to the media about the slaughter of our wild horses...

"Our wild horses are close to the hearts of almost all Americans, and it seems therefore wholly UN-American to use the solution of slaughter when there are other alternatives."

- Richard Gere

John Fusco, Mustang Conservator and writer of the movies "Hidalgo," and "Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron adds: "These horses are only the first casualties of a clandestine equicide and it should alert the public immediately. The disturbing details behind the purchase of these animals illustrates the serious flaws in the Burns provision, a provision that is disturbing and dishonest in itself. I believe that the furtive nature of the Amendment only breeds more back-door dealings and sends out a kind of unspoken signal that it's okay to say you're buying horses for the kids...then drive away and kill them."

When she learned of the incident, actress and avid horsewoman Nicollette Sheridan responded passionately, "I am disheartened with Senator Burns for undermining the will of the American people when he amended the Wild Free Roaming Horse and Burro Act. That was as good as giving these wild horses a death sentence. This recent bloodshed may only be a preview of what's to come as a result of this irresponsible legislation if we don't reverse it now".

Neda DeMayo, founder of Return to Freedom, American Wild Horse Sanctuary, states that, "The recent slaughter of wild horses purchased under the Burns sale authority exposes this provision for what it really is- an open door to slaughter for potentially thousands of America's wild horses.

As supporters of this sale authority grasp to put a positive face on this atrocious situation, we are distracted from the truth - today, there are 75% less horses on our public lands then there were when Federal protection was given to them in 1971. What is so tragic about this issue is that there are viable solutions."

6 Wild Horses Slaughtered Under New Burns Legislation

Multiple sources have confirmed that on Monday, April 18th, 2005, 6 wild horses were slaughtered at the Cavel International facility in DeKalb, Il. The horses, adopted from the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Wild Horse Adoption program on Friday, April 15th, were purchased for $50 each from Dustin Herbert of Oklahoma. Mr. Herbert claimed that the horses would be used for a church youth program, and would not be sold for slaughter. But by Monday, less than 3 days after he purchased the animals, all 6 were slaughtered so that their meat could be shipped overseas to end up on foreign dinner tables where horsemeat is served as a delicacy.

Despite that massive public outcry that resulted in the passage of the 1971 Wild Free Roaming Horse and Burro Act, in November of 2004 Senator Conrad Burns attached a rider to the 3300 page budget bill that eviscerated the federal protections of America's wild horses. The Burns rider, introduced on the eve of Thanksgiving weekend, amended the line in the 1971 act that prohibited the commercial processing of our wild horses, and required the BLM to sell "excess" wild horses "without limitation". This rider not only completely undermined the spirit of the 1971 act and the will of the American people, but it was literally slipped in at the 11th hour with absolutely no opportunity for public debate. An anonymous acquaintance of Mr. Herbert's was not surprised. "It's horrible that he did this to those horses, it's a sad reflection on legitimate western horsemen. But I know he'll do it again". And the Burns amendment makes that possible.

Neda DeMayo, founder of Return to Freedom, American Wild Horse Sanctuary, states that "Burns Sale Authority was not only unethical in the way it was slipped through, but in the ongoing and devastating repercussions it will have on the American Wild Horse. The Burns sale authority opens the floodgates of slaughter for potentially thousands of America's wild horses. As Burns and his allies grasp to put a positive face on this atrocious situation, we are distracted from the truth which is that these horses were unnecessarily removed from the public lands in the first place. Overpopulation is a myth."

John Fusco, Mustang Conservator and writer of the movies "Hidalgo," and "Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron" adds: "These six horses are only the first casualties of a clandestine equicide and it should alert the public immediately. The disturbing details behind the purchase of these animals illustrates the serious flaws in the Burns provision, a provision that is disturbing and dishonest in itself. I believe that the furtive nature of the Amendment only breeds more back-door dealings and sends out a kind of unspoken signal that it's okay to say you're buying horses for the kids...then drive away and kill them."

Congressmen Nick Rahall and Ed Whitfield are trying to stop this before thousands of wild horses end up on the butcher block. H.R. 297, introduced by Rahall and Whitfield, and S. 576 introduced by Senator Robert Byrd, reinstate the federal protections that prohibit the slaughter of America's wild horses. This legislation, which is only the first step on a long road to finding permanent solutions, is urgently needed as evidenced by the recent bloodshed.

When she learned of the incident, actress and avid horsewoman Nicollette Sheridan responded passionately, "I am disheartened with Senator Burns for undermining the will of the American people when he amended the Wild Free Roaming Horse and Burro Act. That was as good as giving these wild horses a death sentence. This recent bloodshed may only be a preview of what's to come as a result of this irresponsible legislation if we don't reverse it now".

Just prior to the Burns legislation, Return to Freedom spearheaded the American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign (AWHPC). Put in place to address policy initiatives that threaten the wild horse, the AWHPC is supporting HR 297 and S 576. For updates on the legislation visit the campaign website at wildhorsepreservation.com.

Return to Freedom's Neda DeMayo returns from latest D.C. lobbying effort

Companion bill to H.R. 297 introduced.
March, 2005 (Lompoc, California)With the current siege against America's wild horses, Return To Freedom founder, Neda DeMayo has just returned from a second trip to Washington D.C. since the Burns provision was slipped into the 2005 omnibus Appropriations Bill.

Neda DeMayo and Virginie Parant, (AWHPC campaign director), returned recently from 3 days of lobbying in DC. AHDF's Trina Bellak organized Hill Day for Horses and various supporters came from all over to meet with their respective reps to sign on in support of HR 297 ( restore original protection of wild horses and burros pre- Burns amendment), and to support the national no- slaughter bill- 503.

On Tuesday, March 8, Neda DeMayo (RTF), Nancy Perry (HSUS), Lisa Weisburg (ASPCA) and Trina Bellak (AHDF) spoke in a briefing to over 50 congressional staffers and showed a very informative 7 minute film made specifically for this event by Ginger Kathrens, (creator of the PBS series, "CLOUD"). The 3 day event ended Wednesday with a press conference.

The speakers at the Press Conference Wednesday were, Congressmen Nick Rahall (D-WV), Ed Whitfield (R-KY) and John Sweeney (R- NY), AHDF founder Trina Bellak, Nancy Perry head of Gov. affairs for HSUS, and Neda DeMayo spoke for Return To Freedom and the AWHPC coalition. Neda had the pleasant and unexpected pleasure of introducing Carole King at the press conference. She said a few words from the heart. After a question and answer session, Neda had the honor of presenting the short PSA of Viggo Mortensen with footage from Allison Argo and James Kleinert.

Return to Freedom Spearheads Effort

Requests Congressional Hearing on Wild Horse Range Management.
January, 2005 (Lompoc, California) Neda DeMayo, Founder and President of Return to Freedom, home of the American Wild Horse Sanctuary, attended meetings in Washington last week on behalf of supporters nationwide and it made a difference. This week, U.S. Representative Nick Rahall (D-WV), the Top Ranking Democrat on the House Resources Committee, introduced legislation with Ed Whitfield (R-KY) that would reverse the politically incendiary Burns Amendment to the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act once again making it a criminal charge to knowingly buy wild horses and burros with the clear intention of selling them for slaughter and public consumption. This comes after loud public outcry to a 12th hour amendment that was added to the must-pass 2005 Appropriations Bill with no public input or debate.

Return to Freedom is urging Congress to quickly enact H.R. 297 introduced this week by Congressmen Rahall and Whitfield and protect America's wild horses from sale and slaughter.