ASPCA Equine Anti-Cruelty Summit Will Be Held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center

The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) today announced it will host an All-Star Equine Anti-Cruelty Summit & Panel Discussion on Friday, January 8th, 2010, at the George Morris Horse Mastership Clinics at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, Fla.

ASPCA® President & CEO Ed Sayres will lead a panel discussion on critical equine welfare and anti-cruelty issues affecting horses and animals. Joining Sayres on this panel will be Dr. Melinda Merck, Senior Director of Veterinary Forensics for the ASPCA and the nation’s premiere “Animal CSI,” gold and silver Olympic medalists, world class riders and trainers, veterinarians and Humane Law Enforcement officials from the ASPCA, as well as select representatives from other non-profit groups that advocate for and protect horses. The ASPCA’s first-of-its-kind Mobile Animal Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Unit will also be on-site, and will be open for tours throughout the event.

“We are thrilled to host such an unprecedented and important event,” said Mr. Sayres. “We are hopeful this summit will both inform and engage those in the world of equine and animal welfare to advocate for the humane treatment of all animals.”

Topics will include unwanted and abandoned horses, horse adoption, horse slaughter, inhumane training and practices and NYC Carriage horses. The event will conclude with an introduction of rescued horses and dogs from the local area that are available for adoption, and attendees will be given a chance to adopt as well as a call to action to sign the ASPCA’s anti-cruelty pledge and become ambassadors for animal welfare.

This event, which is free and open to the public, will be part of the prestigious George Morris Horse Mastership Clinics for the top 10 junior riders in the country, will take place from 1-3 p.m. at the Palm Beach Equestrian Center in Wellington. The public is invited to hear the issues and participate in an interactive discussion on what they and the equestrian community can do to stop animal cruelty and make a positive difference for animals.

The 10 junior riders in the Horse Mastership Clinics and the members of the panel will be awarded ASPCA Animal Welfare Ambassador Medals by Mr. Sayres and Brianne Goutal, World Class Rider, 2005 ASPCA Maclay National Champion and ASPCA® Equine Welfare Ambassador. This unique, ASPCA equestrian all-star event is sponsored by Edison Properties, LLC.