OTTBs residing at 56 charities stand to benefit from nearly $3 million in grants from the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. Photos courtesy of the alliance
The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) announced today that $2.48 million in grants will be awarded to its 56 accredited aftercare organizations. The financial grants are provided to support the ongoing care of the Thoroughbreds that the organizations work to retire, retrain, and rehome.
Each organization accredited by the TAA has undergone a thorough application, inspection, and review process to ensure they meet the TAA’s code of standards. The 56 currently accredited organizations have all met or exceeded the standards set forth in the categories of operations, education, horse health care management, facility standards and services, and adoption policies and protocols.
“We are thrilled to have received accreditation for our aftercare program and to join the ranks of so many other organizations that share our desire to help transition former racehorses to new, productive and loving lives,” stated Christopher Oldham, vice president of After The Homestretch-Arizona, a newly accredited organization.
Grant funding helps support OTTBs in all walks of post-racing careers.
“One of our top priorities for 2015 was to expand awareness of the TAA. The jump from 42 accredited organizations supporting 130 facilities to 56 accredited organizations supporting more than 180 facilities is evidence that we achieved that goal,” stated Jimmy Bell, TAA and Darley America president. “The demand continues; the awareness continues; the sustainable funding is now a blinking light as the growth in that department is not keeping pace with demand and awareness. As an organization and an industry we must continue to develop and evolve. We are making great strides thanks to all of the support we have received to date. Obviously, we need to do more.”
Accreditation is effective for two years, after which organizations must reapply. Periodic site inspections are conducted to ensure each organization maintains the TAA standards.
Based in Lexington, Kentucky, the non-profit Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accredits, inspects and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retire, retrain and rehome Thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding. Funded initially by seed money from Breeders’ Cup Ltd., The Jockey Club, and Keeneland Association Inc., the TAA is supported by owners, trainers, breeders, racetracks, aftercare professionals and other industry groups. To date, 56 aftercare organizations supporting more than 180 facilities across the U.S. and Canada have been granted accreditation and received funding from the TAA. To learn more about the TAA, visit thoroughbredaftercare.org.
Wonderful news, but I’d like to see an additional program that provides grants to small rescues that aren’t totally dedicated to OTTBs. They may have one, two, or a few, but they really need help with rehab, maintenance, and retraining. The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance could partner with the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), which has extremely high standards for equine rescues. That partnership would also encourage small rescues to upgrade to meet or exceed GFAS requirements – a win/win strategy.
Wonderful to read! A great thing.
Three whinnies and high hooves all around for all who are determined to do their part to try to save them all. With our growing village, who knows?!?!……We might just do it! Love to ALL who give so much time, love, effort, and $$$$.
Absolutely fantastic!
This is indeed wonderful news. Thanks to Social Media and all the “horse people” out there who live passionately for these incredible animals, understanding of many OTTBs plights, unnecessary short lives and so many other aspects that have, in the past, made so many languish. THANK YOU ALL!
I am so pleased by this support. I am retired and rescue and retrain also… I will be 69 this month and know that these great horses are what keep me going! 🙂