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Donations Needed to Fund Rehabilitation of Horses

The Equine Impound Program of the Department of Agriculture operates under the Authority of the Humane Care for Equines Act. It is this act that allows the Equine Section to investigate complaints of cruelty and neglect, and to impound equines when deemed necessary by a licensed veterinarian.

The Equine Impound Program does not receive state appropriated funds from the Georgia legislature.  The cost of feed, hay, farrier care, and veterinary care is funded through donations, the sale of impounded equines that are not returned to their owners, and costs of impoundment fees paid by owners to whom equines are returned.

Over the past two years, there has been a continual decline in the number of owners able to pay impoundment costs, or even wanting their animals returned due to the inability to feed them.   The amount of monetary donations continues to decline, as the number of complaints rises.  Likewise, the costs of rehabilitation are rising as well.  There are currently almost 100 horses in State Impound facilities.

It is only with continued and increased public donations that the Equine Impound Program can continue to intervene when necessary to insure the health and welfare of the equine population in Georgia. Your donation in part allows the department to respond to the needs of horses requiring emergency intervention or impoundment due to inhumane treatment.  Donations made to the Equine Impound Program may be tax deductible as the program receives no state appropriated funding.

The Equine Commodities Commission was recently formed to promote equine industry in Georgia; however, the law currently restricts these funds and they are not used to fund the Equine Impound Program.

Those interested in donating to the Equine Impound Program may send a check or money order made payable to Georgia Department of Agriculture. Please designate for Impound Program and send to Georgia Department of Agriculture, 19 MLK Jr. Drive SW, Room 143, Atlanta, GA 30334-4201.