Equine Welfare Data Collective Shines Light on Equine Needs
Knowing just how many equines are at risk every year in the U.S. could greatly improve the work advocates do on their behalf.
To make that need a reality, the Equine Welfare Data Collective (EWDC) released findings from its first data collection in September 2019. The EWDC is a collaborative effort to accumulate, analyze, and report data to enhance services for transitioning and at-risk equines.
Submitting data were 253 organizations – approximately 27% of U.S. and Puerto Rico-based groups that take in at-risk and transitioning horses. One of the most encouraging pieces of data from the report is that the daily capacity to house equines is 13,618. Most of these groups are adoption facilities, which means the number of equines that can be supported yearly by just this subset of groups is quite substantial.
“This data report is a stepping stone to understanding the demographics of at-risk equines and those in transition, the needs of the organizations taking custody of them, and the opportunities for growth within the community.”
EWDC participants shared additional helpful information, including the following:
- 65% care for 11-50 equines at one time
- Of the groups combined, more than 80% of the outcomes were adoptions
- Owner surrender and law enforcement seizures are the most common ways they acquired equines
- Only 24% of groups microchip their equines
The ASPCA is a proud financial sponsor of EWDC and believes the data collected will help enhance programming and prevent equine suffering. Participation in EWDC is free and all data collected is aggregated so no individual organization is identified in reports.
Data from equine rescues, shelters, and sanctuaries is still needed and will assist in the effort to collect this much-needed information.
To view the free full report, or to contribute data for the current collection period, visit the EWDC website.