AAEP and Zoetis Help Support Operation Gelding Program

Thanks to a generous donation from the American Association of Equine Practitioners Foundation (AAEP) and Zoetis, the Unwanted Horse Coalition (UHC) is able to continue its Operation Gelding program. The Operation Gelding program provides funds and materials to assist organizations, associations and events that wish to sponsor clinics to which horse owners can bring their stallions to be castrated. Since the program was initiated in September 2010, Operation Gelding has assisted in gelding 771 stallions and has provided $38,550 in grant money to organizations that have hosted Operation Gelding castration clinics.

“The UHC is grateful for the support of the AAEP Foundation and Zoetis, their dedication to helping unwanted horses and to the Operation Gelding program. With the support of these industry leaders, the UHC will be able to make a greater impact on the unwanted horse population through its Operation Gelding clinics,” said Dr. Douglas Corey, Chairman of the UHC.

The UHC will provide information and forms necessary to conduct a clinic, along with seed money to defray the costs. Funds of $50 per horse gelded up to a $1,000 maximum will be awarded to groups once a year. Assistance will be awarded on a first come, first serve basis, subject to available resources. Organizations can apply by filling out the Operation Gelding Funding Form provided by the UHC. Funds will be awarded once the clinic is complete and a veterinary statement is provided. Any organization, association or event can participate in the UHC’s Operation Gelding program; the UHC wants to involve as many groups as possible.

“The American Association of Equine Practitioners, through our Foundation, is once again very pleased to be a part of the UHC’s Operation Gelding Program. It is very encouraging to see so many organizations throughout the industry hosting clinics and working together to help horses in need,” said David Foley, AAEP Executive Director.

Dr. Tom Lenz, representative of Zoetis said, “Zoetis is pleased to contribute to the UHC’s Operation Gelding program. Participating organizations have helped hundreds of horses and horse owners in need and have done a wonderful job working together to help horses and horse owners in need. We look forward to watching the program continue and grow.”

In addition to Operation Gelding, the UHC is offering the resourceful guidebook, How to Start and Run a Rescue, written by Dr. Jennifer Williams of Lone Star Equine Rescue and Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society, for the low cost of $20 including shipping and handling. All of the proceeds from the sales of the book go directly to the Operation Gelding program.

How to Start and Run a Rescue is an indispensable resource that offers practical and insightful advice to those who are interested in starting a rescue or those who may already have a rescue, but may need help improving upon their services. The book covers topics such as formation of a nonprofit, fundraising, public relations and marketing, formulating policies, successful bookkeeping, and much more. Dr. Williams discusses the complex issues involved in founding a rescue, long-term management, and improving upon a currently existing rescue.

Upcoming Operation Gelding clinics will be held in the fall in Iowa and Oklahoma.

For more information on Operation Gelding or how to purchase How to Start and Run a Rescue please contact Ericka Caslin, UHC director, at ecaslin@horsecouncil.org or 202-296-4031. Visit the UHC website at: www.unwantedhorsecoalition.org.