EARS was started because of many people's concern for foals and
horses. Three years ago Frank Weller, one of EARS founders, was
making a documentary film about the Premarin story. He adopted
a Premarin foal named Toby and the next summer enlisted volunteers
to do a fundraiser to benefit the foals. At the event, Richard
Gere helped us by presenting the first Equine Angel Awards. The
fundraiser helped rescue many foals and that fall. Mr. Weller
placed 53 foals with the help of a group of volunteers.
This
year, with the formation of EARS, volunteers have rescued 36 foals
from Canada. EARS has just exhibited at the Equine Affaire in
Springfield, MA at the Big E fairgrounds. Over 35,000 people attended
and many of you were there. We have received numerous adoption
and fostering requests. Site checks and adoptions have already
begun.
Meanwhile,
we look forward to hearing from you with your ideas. We are still
trying to raise funds for the day to day expenses of the foals.
We found that the mugs, pins and T-shirts sold really well at
the Equine Affaire, you can see them on our Home Page. We want
to “thank you”, on behalf of the foals, for your continuous
support.
Now,
we are formulating a response to the problem of 20,000 pregnant
mares being put out of Premarin service. We are putting together
a coalition of experts, influential citizens and public servants
to devise a win-win-win solution to the mare’s plight. We
believe that creative solutions exist to provide peaceful and
even useful sanctuary for the mares and their foals. For example,
we are investigating the use of BLM (Bureau of Land Management)
land and Indian Reservations for the mares to live on or for training.
Many other interesting ideas are on the table including starting
prisoner programs, like the one that exists in Walkill, NY for
thoroughbred retirement horses. We have asked Wyeth, the pharmaceutical
company that makes Premarin, to join us in finding happy, win-win-win
solutions. We hope that as a new rescue without a history of ill
will towards Wyeth, they may see the wisdom in joining us.
As
an organization we are trying to partner with children's charities
to find ways for the rescue foals and mares to rescue children.
The Pegasus Program, Green Chimneys, Make a Wish Foundation and
several therapeutic riding programs are likely candidates. We
know, from our experience, that the foals and mares rescue us.
As Winston Churchill once said "Something about the outside
of a horse is good for the inside off a man". We know that
holds true for women and children too.
Thank
you for visiting our web site and for your concern for the well
being of foals and mares that you have not even met yet. We hope
to introduce many of them to you and we invite you to return to
meet them. Please contact us with your ideas, concerns and support
for our rescue sanctuary. Once again on behalf of the foals and
mares we thank you and we will be listening…………EARS
