NYS Humane Association

NYS Humane Association

Founded in 1900, New York State Humane Association (NYSHA) gives voice to the voiceless, defends the defenseless, and advocates for the powerless. Our charter firmly rests on an ethic of compassion for all sentient beings, with a general focus on companion animals. We believe that a more enlightened relationship with animals lies with humane education. To prevent animal suffering and to encourage compassion, NYSHA’s ongoing activities and programs focus on: Animal cruelty -- NYSHA published the manual "Investigating Animal Cruelty in NYS,” available now on our website, along with other educational resources. For many years, NYSHA has actively worked with and provided workshops for law enforcement agencies and SPCAs across the state. We also provide referral and informational services to citizens and humane agencies throughout NYS to combat abuse.

Episodes

  1. 10/06/2019

    John Holland - President, Equine Welfare Alliance

    John Holland testified at the Public Hearing on the Welfare of Racehorses in New York State before the Senate Standing Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering and the Senate Standing Committee on Domestic Animal Welfare on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. John Holland is President of the Equine Welfare Alliance (https://www.equinewelfarealliance.org/) , an organization dedicated to ending the slaughter of American horses and the preservation and protection of wild horses and burros on public lands. Mr. Holland has determined that about 18% of the 96,000 horses going to slaughter annually from the United States are racehorses. EWA tracks everything they can about the slaughter industry. He says the slaughter industry is an absolute horror. Nobody cares about the animals at all, and it’s all about making money. The racing industry breeds 20,000 horses a year in New York State alone resulting in thousands of unwanted horses who never make the cut or are worthless after a short racing career. Most of these horses end up going to slaughter because their usefulness is over, no one wants them, and there's nowhere else for them to go. He estimated that providing care for 20,000 horses a year, with average lifespan of 25 years, at a low cost of $2,000 a year would cost $1 billion a year. If the United States banned horse slaughter and transport to other countries for slaughter, horses could not be disposed of so easily, and breeders would have to become more responsible for the animals they produce.

  2. 10/05/2019

    Sheila Lyon, DVM - Advocate For The Health And Safety Of Racehorses

    Dr. Lyon testified at the Public Hearing on the Welfare of Racehorses in New York State before the Senate Standing Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering and the Senate Standing Committee on Domestic Animal Welfare on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. Dr. Lyons graduated from Tufts University Veterinary School, is an equine veterinarian, and is the founder and director of The American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Homecoming Farm, Inc. According to her testimony, race track veterinarians have abdicated their authority as medical professionals. These veterinarians do not perform physical examinations, make diagnoses, nor develop therapeutic plans. Race track veterinarians simply deliver drugs at trainers’ request. For example, giving an anti-inflammatory drug to a horse is appropriate treatment but only if it's in the context of that horse resting. What you can't do is give that drug and then say, "Keep training. Keep racing," but that's what happens at these tracks. Dr. Lyons has had owners' horses come to New York racetracks from her practice in Florida or Kentucky. Many of these horses had numerous drugs given to them within days of arriving. Drugs are not used therapeutically, which is illegal, and which absolutely contributes to the completely unacceptable development of injuries. She advocates for a new type of CT-scan, developed for humans, that can detect tiny fractures not seen on an X-ray, to be used at every race track on every racehorse to identify preexisting conditions and to avoid breakdowns. The American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Homecoming Farm - http://www.acvsmr.org/

    Sheila Lyon, DVM - Advocate For The Health And Safety Of Racehorses

About

Founded in 1900, New York State Humane Association (NYSHA) gives voice to the voiceless, defends the defenseless, and advocates for the powerless. Our charter firmly rests on an ethic of compassion for all sentient beings, with a general focus on companion animals. We believe that a more enlightened relationship with animals lies with humane education. To prevent animal suffering and to encourage compassion, NYSHA’s ongoing activities and programs focus on: Animal cruelty -- NYSHA published the manual "Investigating Animal Cruelty in NYS,” available now on our website, along with other educational resources. For many years, NYSHA has actively worked with and provided workshops for law enforcement agencies and SPCAs across the state. We also provide referral and informational services to citizens and humane agencies throughout NYS to combat abuse.