ABOUTUS

BIO: SINIKKA CROSLAND
Sinikka Crosland, a registered nurse who took early
retirement in order to work for the welfare of animals, was
born in Vancouver, B.C., on March 25, 1953. By age four,
she had discovered the irresistible magnetism of the
animal world and, accordingly, stray cats who happened to
find their way into her yard were enthusiastically cuddled,
fed, and coaxed to stay.
At age 10, her passion for equines grew to the point that
she was banned from producing anything horse-related in
her 4th grade class for one whole month – no stories, no
sketching pictures of horses during all of April. It was a
tough four weeks, but she compromised by writing and drawing pictures of other
beloved species of animals instead.
Over 20 years were to elapse before Sinikka could experience the joys of actual equine
companionship. An Arabian-draft cross horse named Kelly won her heart, taught her to
ride, and fascinated her with his wit, loyalty, and humor. With Kelly's help, she learned
the language of horses.
In 1994, after helping out during a local neglected horse crisis, and then reading articles
about the Pregnant Mare Urine industry with its resulting slaughter of foals, she was
ready to fulfill the life-long dream of helping animals at risk. TRACS (The Responsible
Animal Care Society) was thus born, and she became the organization's Co-founder and
President.
Over a decade later, and with the help of renowned horse rescuer Dr. Ray Kellosalmi,
TRACS has rescued and re-homed hundreds of displaced PMU horses. During the
summer that B.C. was ravaged by wildfires (August 2003), the organization purchased a
herd of horses from a B.C. feedlot and found good homes for all ten equines, including
geldings, foals, pregnant mares, and even a special-needs horse with a bilateral foreleg
deformity.
To address the issue of horse slaughter in Canada, Sinikka co-founded the Canadian
Horse Defense Coalition in 2004 and became Executive Director of the organization.
She is also a director with the International Fund for Horses.
Sinikka lives on an acreage in Westbank, B.C., with her husband, two teenage children,
and a menagerie of rescued animals, including two horses.