BREAKING NEWS.. ASPCA FIGHTING TO SAVE THE HORSES IN DEVIL'S GARDEN... On November 8, 2018, 19 horses were rounded up and removed from the Territory on this day. Total number of horses captured: 932. 14 horses have died or been euthanized, and 3 mares miscarried during this helicopter capture operation. Facing increasing public pressure, the U.S. Forest Service on Friday announced that it would lengthen to 90 days the time frame during which it would sell with some limitations older horses captured during its ongoing roundup at the Devils Garden Plateau Wild Horse Territory. Originally, the Forest Service said that it would sell an estimated 300 of the Northern California wild horses ages 10-older without restriction after 30 days — making them vulnerable to purchase by kill buyers that would purchase them for as little as $1 apiece and transport them to foreign slaughterhouses.. The U.S. Forest Service will continue its massive helicopter roundup of 1,000 federally-protected wild horses in the Devils Garden Wild Horse Territory. This is a 300,000-acre public lands area within the Modoc National Forest near Alturas, California. The intent of the removal is to reduce the horse population so that ranchers who hold grazing permits in the Forest can turn out their cattle again on the public lands. It is time we sign the petition and demand our Congress this year to sign into law the SAFE ACT.. The Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act (H.R. 961) is federal legislation that would prevent the horse slaughter industry from reestablishing operations in the U.S. and prohibit the export of American horses abroad for slaughter. The SAFE Act reached a historic milestone last Congress with more than half the members of the U.S. House adding their names as cosponsors—proving that if the bill went to a vote, it would pass. PLEASE SIGN THE LETTERS PRESENTED TO YOU BY ASPCA GRASSROOTS.. SPEAK TO YOUR REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS MAKE KNOWN THAT OUR HORSES ARE SACRED AND THEIR ARE MORE HOMES FOR THESE HORSES THAT WOULD LOVE TO CARE FOR THEM AND KEEP THEM SAFE!!!!!!! We are their VOICE... Mahalo

In November 2018, we notified you about the U.S. Forest Service’s (USFS) shocking plan to sell wild horses from the Devil’s Garden herd in Modoc National Forest (California) without protections against slaughter. This means that “kill buyers” looking to make a profit could buy them for $1 apiece, then turn around and sell them to slaughterhouses in Canada and Mexico. Time is running out for these majestic animals, and the Forest Service is pushing forward to kill all the horses in this outrageous plan. 

 

In December, the Forest Service completed its roundup of almost 1,000 horses from the Devil’s Garden Herd. More than 600 were quickly transferred to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Litchfield Corral, where they were safely made available for adoption. However, more than 200 of the horses were corralled in Modoc National Forest and made available for sale. 
 

Ignoring massive public outcry, the Forest Service has remained adamant that it will sell these animals to the highest bidder—kill buyers included. According to the agency, only 60 of those horses have been placed in homes. The remaining horses are currently available for adoption or sale with limitations through February 18, 2019. After that date, USFS could move ahead with “no limitation” sales to individuals who would sell them for meat across our borders.  
 

Thankfully, ASPCA supporters were all powerful allies for this herd. A total of 41,962 wild horse advocates across the country signed our petition urging USFS to reconsider this plan and ensure that horses from the Devil’s Garden herd do not end up in foreign slaughterhouses. On Tuesday, January 29, we delivered the signatures to U.S. Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen, along with a cover letter that you can read here [PDF].
 

Thank you to the over 40,000 supporters who raised their voices for wild horses and signed the petition to USFS. We will keep you updated on the situation as we learn more.
 

Animals always need allies like you fighting on their behalf. Please join the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade to get involved and voice your support for vulnerable animals.