After The Homestretch Arizona (ATHA) racehorse rescue is losing our home! The property we have rented for the last 5 years has been sold & we need to move. We have found a nearby 5 acre property as a permanent solution to a critical need for retiring racehorses, which will allow us to continue our mission of "Protecting the legacy of former racehorses through education, reconditioning, retraining and re-homing." Securing our own property saves in high rent money and more importantly secures a future for this organization and the future of retiring racehorses in Arizona. Please help be a part of the future of ATHA!
Why are we needed? Well, we are the only rescue in Phoenix that is an accredited aftercare facility for these atheletes. Our local track, Turf Paradise, has one of the longest racing seasons out there, from Oct - May every year. During each season there are over 1,700 horses on the backside. Of those 1,700, not all are winning & need a different career and/or they get injuries that need time to rehab. If we do not exist, where will these horses go??
We receive horses often directly from Turf Paradise when career ending injuries occur and horses need to rehab, or we can also receive uninjured horses that need to be "let down" and retrained for the everyday rider. A racehorses career can end as early as 1 1/2 years old (such as Why Him who currently resides with ATHA) and as late as into their early teens, a horse typically can live up to 30 years of age. Basically, regardless of age they retire from racing, they still have their whole lives ahead of them. We have also received horses from the AZ Department of Agriculture who were found starved and wandering the desert and we also receive owner surrenders who can no longer care for their former racehorses. Often times we can work together with these owners to network and secure a great home quickly. The goal is to find each and every athlete their forever homes!
Currently residing at ATHA are 17 horses, 16 of which are former racehorses. All have a story of their life on the track, how much they've won, where they came from and who they're bred from. They are the sons, daughters, grandsons, granddaughters of racing legends, such as Secretariat and Seattle Slew. Since inception in July of 2011, ATHA has rescued 54 horses, found forever homes for 37 and have assisted in the placement of many more.
After The Homestretch Arizona (ATHA) is an all volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit. We hold accreditation by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and hold a Platinum GuideStar USA status, both speak volumes to the reputation & creditability of ATHA.
To learn more about us or make a donation directly via paypal please visit afterthehomestretchaz.org.
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