Highlighting the plight of welfare cases
The BHS is launching a Welfare Supporter scheme to increase people’s awareness of abuse and neglect
The British Horse Society is launching its new BHS Welfare Supporter scheme at this year’s Horse of the Year Show (9 – 13 October).
This scheme has been set up by the society to give people the opportunity to help directly the many hundreds of animals it rescues each year.
“We know that people care about horses and ponies and are appalled at the cases of suffering and neglect we uncover,” says chief executive Kay Driver.
“Many people have told me how helpless they feel when they see some of the photographs and read what has been happening. Now we are giving them the chance to be involved and feel they are actively doing something to help.”
The BHS Welfare Supporter scheme is being launched on the Society’s stand at the Horse of the Year Show at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham.
Annual membership costs £20 and each member receives a car sticker, regular newsletters and free access to the society’s information lines. Members joining at the Horse of the Year Show will receive a special “founder member” certificate.
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“The animals we rescue are just the tip of the iceberg,” said BHS head of welfare, Kerstin Alford.
“Most cases we see arise because of ignorance rather than any intention to be cruel. What we need is the support for our educational programme, which is aimed at stopping these things happening in the first place.”
Welfare supporters will be able to help with this programme, which operates through a network of volunteers throughout the country. The society also maintains a Warwickshire-based rescue centre where horses and ponies are cared for and rehabilitated before being re-homed.
For more information contact the BHS (tel: 08701 202244) or click here to visit their website.
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