June 29, 2012

A Call to Action: Colorado Wildfires - Donate Now to the USEF Equine Disaster Relief Fund

From the USEF Communications Department

Lexington, KY - Fires blazing across the Colorado landscape have together burned more than 100,000 acres in the past few weeks. The Waldo Canyon and High Park fires near Colorado Springs and Fort Collins respectively have ravaged the natural beauty of the area, destroyed nearby homes, and left many displaced people wondering what to do next. For horse owners that uncertainty is even greater. Hundreds of horses have already been displaced and, while local Horse Parks, Fairgrounds, and Equestrian Centers have graciously opened up to evacuated horses, the cost of caring for those horses magnifies the stresses of an already trying time. Efforts to help are already underway but outside assistance is badly needed.

With the support of CEO John Long, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) asks that equestrians, equestrian fans, and all people who share a love for horses make a donation to the USEF Equine Disaster Relief Fund. Cooler weather and calmer winds are helping firefighters in Colorado contain the blazes, but the cost of relocating, feeding, and caring for horses is a burden that local residents and humane societies will carry long after the fires have ceased to burn. With luck, many horses will be returning home soon, but some will have no home left to return to. With your help we can ensure that all affected horses are well cared for and help Colorado's devastated communities re-build.

To most effectively deliver aid the USEF Equine Disaster Relief Fund was established with the goal of getting horses the help they need, when they need it. "It is important to understand this fund is a dollar in and a dollar out," says John Long, "nothing is withheld." Any donation to the USEF Equine Disaster Relief Fund is a timely and efficient benefit for horses and horse owners.

Donations may be made online by going to 

www.usef.org/_AUAIFrames/DisasterRelief/DisasterRelief.aspx.

Having originated during the aftermath of Hurricanes Rita and Katrina the USEF Equine Disaster Relief Fund was formed to help ensure the safety and wellbeing of horses during trying times. Money donated to the USEF Equine Disaster Relief Fund is used to prepare for disasters and assists equids of any breed who are victims of disasters including but not restricted to hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, blizzards, and fires. Money donated to the fund is held by the USEF in an account restricted for this purpose. Money from the fund can only be disbursed upon the authorization of the USEF Chief Executive Officer.

If you wish to contribute by check, please make it out to the USEF Equine Disaster Relief Fund and mail it to: The United States Equestrian Federation, 4047 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511.