The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) announced Jan. 22 that it awarded more than $1.8 million in the form of over 250 grants to support equine welfare groups in 42 states and the District of Columbia in 2012. The grants were primarily awarded as part of the ASPCA Equine Fund, which added a new area of focus in 2012: providing grants to promote training as well as rehabilitation so horses can be adopted quicker.

"We were pleased to be able to give twice as many training grants as initially budgeted for last year, helping 20 equine groups invest $76,000 in training their horses and moving them more quickly into permanent, loving homes, thus making room for others in need," said Jacque Schultz, senior director of the ASPCA Equine Fund. "Due to high interest, additional funds have been dedicated for training in 2013."

Emergency feed support continued to be the most requested area for support. Over 100 grants totaling nearly $400,000 were disbursed in 2012. This includes $250,000 from the Equine Hay Bale-Out as the ASPCA responded to cries for relief from soaring hay prices.

In 2012, another area of growth for the ASPCA Equine Fund was support for large-scale cruelty seizure rehabilitation. Thirty organizations received grants in the $3,000 to $15,000 range to provide care for the equine victims of large scale anti-cruelty seizures of eight or more equines, totaling over $250,000 in funding. Other areas of distribution included more than $150,000 for groups to complete various capital improvements so that they could safely care for more horses, $39,000 in emergency relief aid to assist those affected by disasters (including Hurricane Sandy), and $64,000 to safety net programs for hay banks and gelding clinics. Additional grants awarded will allow groups to obtain more training and professional development and engage in equine-related advocacy. The remaining grants were distributed through the ASPCA Million Dollar Rescuing Racers Initiative, which aids in the rescue and rehabilitation of retired racehorses