Retired Racehorses
tfrr_reportandappendicesfinal
tfrr_reportandappendicesfinal
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32<br />
SUPPORTING EXISTING OR CREATING<br />
NEW ADOPTION PROGRAMS<br />
The racing industry must take ownership of the<br />
post-racing fate of horses that allow the industry<br />
to operate. There must be a viable, humane<br />
exit strategy for horses leaving racing and all<br />
participants in the industry have a responsibility to<br />
contribute financially to the process.<br />
An online search finds dozens of horse rescue<br />
facilities operating in New York state. However,<br />
there is no single list of these programs available in<br />
New York, nor is there an existing quality control/<br />
support mechanism in place for these facilities (see<br />
appendix).<br />
The New York Racing and Wagering Board and the<br />
Department of Agriculture and Markets should<br />
have information about racehorse welfare on their<br />
Web sites, as well as information about retraining<br />
of racehorses for post-track careers, companion or<br />
pasture racehorse retirement, and how the public<br />
and participants can support such endeavors.<br />
Aside from the funding mechanisms identified<br />
earlier to support existing adoption programs, the<br />
Task Force recommends the following:<br />
• Create a rescue registry program to coordinate<br />
and support qualified, vetted retired horse<br />
facilities (registered 501c3 or other programs<br />
that meet a set of quality standard guidelines,<br />
such as those created by Thoroughbred Charities<br />
of America and being established by The<br />
National Thoroughbred Racing Association).<br />
The ASPCA also has an established protocol for<br />
funding organizations.<br />
• Work with equine agriculture-focused groups<br />
and state agencies (Department of Agriculture<br />
and Markets, Empire State Development) to<br />
provide business and operational support/<br />
guidance for these facilities. Area colleges with<br />
business curriculums may be involved under the<br />
guidance of racing industry and practicing nonprofit<br />
sector professionals in the development of<br />
such projects.<br />
• Identify several successful rehabilitation and<br />
retraining facilities in New York and include<br />
them in the creation of training materials and<br />
mentoring programs as case studies for retired<br />
racehorse programs.<br />
A NOTE ABOUT NONPROFIT TAX-<br />
EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS<br />
Nationally and in New York, there have been<br />
investigations and inquiries by regulators into<br />
nonprofit charitable organizations and how<br />
they manage finances. The Task Force on <strong>Retired</strong><br />
<strong>Racehorses</strong>, which includes representation from<br />
such organizations, believes that any non-profit<br />
that serves the needs of retired racehorses<br />
should do so in a transparent, efficient and<br />
responsible manner. All non-profits that seek<br />
support from the <strong>Retired</strong> Racehorse Fund must<br />
keep a current list of all Thoroughbred and<br />
Standardbred horses under their care for public<br />
review (on their Web site).<br />
Photo courtesy of Tracy Egan<br />
The New York State Attorney General oversees<br />
the registration and financial reporting of all nonprofits<br />
in New York State. To ensure integrity of<br />
charitable dollars for retired racehorses, the Task<br />
Force urges any and all organizations involved<br />
in racehorse rescue, retirement, retraining or<br />
rehabilitation programs or endeavors review and<br />
abide by materials provided by the New York<br />
Attorney General’s Charities Bureau.
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