In Louisiana and across the United States, the brutal practice of horse slaughter is a grim reality that must be addressed. Horses, incredible companions, vital to our agricultural and cultural history, are being subjected to abhorrent conditions and cruel slaughter methods. We cannot let this continue. We urgently need to support the SAFE (Save America’s Forgotten Equines) Act to end horse slaughter and export for slaughter in the United States.

The SAFE Act proposes a ban on the transportation of horses across state and federal lines for the purpose of slaughter. Supporters of the act highlight that horses can be sold and transported into other areas, such as Mexico and Canada, where slaughter is still legal, meaning thousands of U.S. horses face unnecessary suffering every year. Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture indicates more than 100,000 American horses are sent abroad each year for slaughter. This is ethically and morally unacceptable.

Horse slaughter is not only inhumane but poses health risks. Horse meat can contain harmful substances, as horses in the U.S. are not raised for food and are frequently administered drugs and chemicals prohibited in food animals. By allowing this process to continue, we risk introducing potentially harmful products into the food chain.

Louisiana has a rich heritage that respects the invaluable role of horses in our culture. By supporting the SAFE Act, we can ensure that horses receive the dignity and protection they deserve. The act has bipartisan support and is gaining momentum in Congress. We need your help to ensure our legislators support its passage.

Please sign this petition to urge Louisiana's representatives to vote for the SAFE Act. Together, we can end horse slaughter and protect these majestic creatures.