Following His Dramatic Rescue, CJ Finally Arrives At Equine Advocates
Check out some of CJ's first moments at the sanctuary in the video above.
CJ’s Story - An Inspiration and a Wake-Up Call!
He’s tall, dark, handsome, dashing, gentle, and extremely sweet-tempered – But all of his wonderful qualities did not stop a cruel and callous individual from dumping him in a kill pen.

CJ is a 19-year-old Thoroughbred gelding who once raced under the name “Jay W.” In July, we received a call from Marlene Murray at the R.A.C.E. Fund who alerted us about this horse who was destined for slaughter. He was discovered in a Pennsylvania kill pen and about to be shipped to Mexico. His unknown background and personality did not concern us; All that mattered was his life needed to be saved and we had to move quickly. Marlene immediately arranged for him to be sent to a quarantine facility in Maryland. Horses rescued from kill pens need to be quarantined because of their possible exposure to contagious diseases. After spending the required 30 days in quarantine, we transported him to Cornell University Hospital for Animals for a complete examination and evaluation, so we would know how to best manage his health care going forward.
CJ while at the kill pen. You can tell how emaciated he was at the time of his rescue.
On Friday, September 3rd, CJ finally arrived at Equine Advocates Rescue & Sanctuary. He was still underweight, despite gaining some pounds during his time in quarantine and at the hospital. However, compared to the way he looked when first discovered in the kill pen, he had greatly improved. While he has health issues due to extreme neglect, his veterinarian at Cornell says they should be curable. We'll need to handle his Vitamin E deficiency and manage his badly neglected feet and teeth. He also has some arthritic problems and mild neurological issues, all of which are now being treated. The good news is that he should be pasture sound and able to live a quality life at the sanctuary.
The Fight to End Horse Slaughter
The unspeakable and un-American practice of horse slaughter is an issue that Congress never seems to have the time or desire to deal with. We have learned about the hypocrisy of some people who say they oppose horse slaughter, but yet have connections to special interests in the fossil fuel and livestock industries which have lobbied hard against a horse slaughter ban. Certain factions of the horse industry also are reluctant to give up the “convenience” of sending horses to slaughter. They condone the irresponsible behavior of those wanting to get rid of horses without a thought and putting these animals through a torturous and terrifying experience. Rather than taking the time to find a good home or putting their horses peacefully “to sleep” through humane euthanasia as a last resort, they would rather collect a few bucks and scrap their horses for slaughter. That is what likely happened to CJ.
 
The bottom line is that we desperately need an effective federal bill that will actually end the slaughter of America’s wild and domestic equines – and when we say “effective,” we mean a bill that provides appropriations for enforcement, especially at the borders, stiff penalties for violators, and, most importantly, language that addresses and prohibits the slaughter of horses for human consumption and pet/zoo food markets. Right now, there are four states with laws on the books that ban the slaughter of horses for human consumption – California, Texas, Illinois, and New Jersey. In the case of New Jersey, a slaughterhouse called “Bravo” is legally allowed to operate in the state and sell horse meat for zoo animals and pet food, because the law does not explicitly exclude those fields. Those animals are just as likely to develop cancer as humans who consume the contaminated and often toxic meat of equines. This is because horses are routinely administered common drugs that are good for them, but not for humans and many other animals, including Phenylbutazone (or “Bute,” for short) that the FDA has banned for human use. Bute is just one of the numerous drugs given to equines that come with the warning, “Not intended for horses bred for human consumption.” However, we know horse meat is not a safe food source for big cats and other animals as well.
 
America is in crisis mode right now and this issue is not at the top of any lawmaker’s list for quick passage. However, the truth is there will never be an ideal time to right this wrong. We believe the delays are just excuses to not address this important issue. 
CJ at the quarantine facility.
Looking into CJ’s eyes and the eyes of all the equines we have rescued from slaughter over the past 25 years is our inspiration.
 
NOW is the time to act and get this done. That is our hope and our plan.
 
Mobilizing public opinion and becoming proactive in this fight are vital.
 
We hope you will join us!
Please Consider Sponsoring CJ
CJ needs sponsors to help support his care. For as low as $50 per month, you can enjoy the perks of our Equine Sponsorship Program. All sponsorship funds go directly toward the routine care of an individual equine, as well as medical emergencies and special care. In addition to knowing you’re supporting our residents, sponsors don’t have to wait for a Public Open Day to visit their equine at the sanctuary. You can stop by any time, as long as there is advanced notice. You can sponsor CJ by visiting our website.
Please consider making a tax-deductible donation.
No contribution is too small! 
Thank you so very much!

Equine Advocates is a national non-profit 501(c)(3) equine protection
organization founded in 1996. In 2004, we moved our base of operations to a 140-acre horse sanctuary in Chatham, NY, home to approximately 80 rescued horses, ponies, donkeys & mules, and our three adorable goats Charlotte, Jakey & Cello. We have a Humane Education Center on the sanctuary grounds
where we welcome visitors of all ages throughout the year. 
 
Please visit our website for more information on our work. 
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EQUINE ADVOCATES:
PROMOTING THE HUMANE AND RESPONSIBLE TREATMENT OF HORSES