24 November 2009
NEWC Press Release - Leaflets can be found under Welfare Articles
NEWC Responds to Growing Concerns for Equine Welfare
“Responsible Re-homing” and “Cutting Cost without Compromising on Welfare” are
two leaflets that have been produced by the National Equine Welfare Council
(NEWC) in response to the high number of requests for help that their members are
receiving from horse owners struggling financially across the UK.
Many horse owners have been hit hard by the downturn in the economy. The leaflets
aim to help them look at ways to keep their horse by cutting back on unnecessary
costs and where this is not possible, advice is given on how to secure the best future
for the horse.
“The horse’s long-term welfare should be the paramount concern when it comes to re-
homing and these leaflets will be a valuable information source for anyone who is
struggling” said Nicolas De Brauwere, Chairman of the NEWC and Senior Welfare
Veterinary Surgeon at Redwings Horse Sanctuary.
The leaflets were produced as a result of collaboration between members of the
NEWC. These leaflets are the first to be produced by the group and will be made
available free of charge to all NEWC members. The group intends to continue
working together to help raise standards in equine welfare through education and
support.
Rebecca Evans, Vice Chairman of the NEWC and Welfare Manager at The Horse
Trust said “In the current financial climate, charities cannot justify the cost of
duplicating effort. It makes more sense for NEWC members to work together in
order to reduce costs and I think in this case two excellent documents have been
produced.”
-Ends-
For more information, please telephone Rebecca Evans, Vice-Chairman of
NEWC, on 01494 488464 or send an e-mail to rebecca@horsetrust.org.uk.
Note to Editors:
More about NEWC: The National Equine Welfare Council was set up in 1977 with
the aim of uniting the equine welfare industry and raising welfare standards
nationwide. It now has a membership base of over 60 welfare organisations, including
equine welfare charities large and small throughout the United Kingdom as well as a
multitude of organisations from the equestrian and veterinary sectors of the horse
industry. Its work includes support for small welfare organisations, making
representations to Government and advising individuals. It also produces a Code of
Practice for those organisations involved in the keeping of horses, ponies, asses,
mules & donkeys and supports members by providing up to date information, running
annual seminars and representing them to Government and other bodies. Member
organisations involved in the keeping of equines can be relied upon to achieve
excellent standards of care for their animals. Many operate loan schemes whereby
horses and ponies go out on loan to inspected homes whilst remaining the property of
the charity and being protected for the rest of their lives. the charity and being protected for the rest of their lives.
www.newc.co.uk
The leaflets were produced by:
The British Horse Society
The Horse Trust
The British Equine Veterinary Association
Redwings Horse Sanctuary
The Blue Cross
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
The Donkey Sanctuary
World Horse Welfare
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