As the founder and director of a nonprofit dedicated to the protection and wellbeing of Wild Horses & Burros, I am personally disheartened and alarmed by the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) current request to Congress for the authority to slaughter captive wild horses. It is appalling that the welfare of these magnificent animals is under such considerable threat. Wild horses are not just animals; they are national symbols of freedom and a testament to the untamed beauty of our country.

The BLM's proposal is a direct denial of their beauty, their right to live, and their significance in the natural balance. According to the American Wild Horse Campaign, there are roughly 50,000 wild horses currently held in long-term holding facilities managed by the BLM. The loss of these lives would be an unimaginable disaster, a permanent scar on our country's wildlife preservation efforts.

Moreover, this proposal is not financially smart; it costs taxpayers nearly $50 million a year to maintain these facilities. Instead of killing these horses, the BLM should be seeking alternative, humane solutions to manage the wild horse populations.

We call on you, the lawmakers of our great nation, who hold the power to stop this atrocity, to deny the BLM's request and take a stand for the ethical treatment of wild horses. These majestic creatures are depending on us. Please join us in this campaign and sign this petition to keep our wild horses alive and free.