Stop the Slaughter of America’s Horses

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Sponsor: The Animal Rescue Site

Join us in the fight to end the cruel slaughter of American horses—your action today can save lives.

Stop the Slaughter of America’s Horses

Every year, more than 20,000 American horses are forced onto overcrowded trucks and hauled across the border without food, water, or rest. Many collapse from exhaustion before reaching slaughter facilities in Mexico and Canada. Those who survive the journey face terrifying deaths, often remaining conscious during the process1. These are not “meat animals.” They are former racehorses, work partners, wild mustangs, and family companions whose only misfortune was being sold into the slaughter pipeline.

The SAFE Act Can End This Cruelty

The Save America’s Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act—H.R. 1661 in the House and S. 775 in the Senate—would permanently ban the slaughter of horses in the United States and prohibit their export for slaughter abroad2. This bipartisan bill, introduced by Representatives Vern Buchanan and Jan Schakowsky along with Senators Lindsey Graham and Ben Ray Luján, has more than 100 cosponsors3. But it remains stuck in committee, leaving horses at risk every single day.

Why This Matters to People Too

Horses in the U.S. are routinely given drugs that the Food and Drug Administration bans for animals raised for human consumption. One of the most common medications, phenylbutazone, can cause fatal blood disorders in people4. Despite these risks, horsemeat from American horses continues to enter foreign markets where consumers may unknowingly eat unsafe products.

The Role of a Discharge Petition

Leadership gridlock cannot be allowed to stand in the way of protecting horses. A Discharge Petition would bring H.R. 1661 out of committee and force it to the House floor for a vote. This tool empowers individual members of Congress to act when urgent legislation is being stalled. It is the only way to ensure this bill sees the light of day before more horses are lost to slaughter5.

Now Is the Time to Act

The SAFE Act has broad public support because Americans overwhelmingly reject horse slaughter. Sanctuaries and rescue groups stand ready to absorb horses diverted from this pipeline, while rehoming programs and humane euthanasia provide compassionate alternatives for owners who cannot keep their animals. There is no need for slaughter—only the demand of a foreign market that profits from American suffering.

Members of Congress must hear directly from us. The future of thousands of horses depends on it. Add your name today and call on the House of Representatives to sign a Discharge Petition for the SAFE Act. Together, we can shut down the slaughter pipeline once and for all.

More on this issue:

  1. ASPCA (18 March 2024), "America’s Dark Secret: Horses Are STILL Being Killed for Meat."
  2. Animal Equality (27 February 2025), "What is the SAFE Act?."
  3. Wild Horse Education (22 March 2025), "SAFE Act and Appropriations (Update)."
  4. Animal Welfare Institute (2 May 2025), "Save America’s Forgotten Equines Act."
  5. Skydog Ranch & Sanctuary (2025), "Save America's Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act of 2025."

The Petition

Dear Members of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, Speaker of the House, Senate Majority Leader, and Honorable Members of Congress,

Every year, thousands of American horses are shipped across our borders in crowded trucks, deprived of food, water, and rest, only to face slaughter in foreign facilities. These animals—beloved companions, former racehorses, working partners, and even wild mustangs—are not raised for food and are not treated as livestock by the American people. They are part of our history, culture, and daily lives. Yet they continue to suffer in silence because Congress has not acted to close the loophole that allows their export for slaughter.

The Save America’s Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act, introduced as H.R. 1661 in the House and S. 775 in the Senate, would end this cruel and unnecessary practice. The bill would permanently ban the slaughter of horses and mules for human consumption in the United States and prohibit their export to slaughterhouses in Mexico and Canada. It has strong bipartisan support, with more than 100 cosponsors in the House. Despite this, H.R. 1661 remains stalled in committee and cannot move forward to a vote.

The solution lies with you. A Discharge Petition can bring the SAFE Act out of committee and to the House floor for consideration. This mechanism gives individual members the power to act when leadership fails to prioritize urgent legislation. By signing a Discharge Petition, you can bypass political gridlock and give horses the protection they deserve.

This is not just a matter of law—it is a matter of humanity and compassion. Horses are sensitive, intelligent animals who form deep bonds with people. They have carried us in battle, worked our fields, competed in sport, and stood faithfully as companions. They deserve dignity at the end of their lives, not the torment of brutal transport and slaughter.

Passing the SAFE Act will also protect public health. Horses in the U.S. are routinely given medications banned for use in animals raised for food. Allowing their meat into international markets jeopardizes consumers abroad and risks America’s credibility.

We call on you, members of the House of Representatives, to sign a Discharge Petition for H.R. 1661 and bring the SAFE Act to the floor for a vote. Let this Congress be remembered for ending the slaughter pipeline and reflecting the values of the vast majority of Americans who oppose this cruelty.

By taking this step, you will help secure a future where horses are treated with the compassion and respect they deserve—ensuring a better tomorrow for animals, people, and our shared humanity.

Sincerely,

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