Mid America Horse Rescue Launches “Fill the Hay Wagon” Fund Drive

Contact:  Kristin Gumper
(314) 630-5459
kristin.gumper@yahoo.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mid America Horse Rescue Launches "Fill the Hay Wagon" Fund Drive

ST. LOUIS (May 27, 2011) – As Preakness winner Shackleford and Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom gear up to face each other in the Belmont Stakes on June 11, 2011, one local non-profit is gearing up for a race of another kind. Mid America Horse Rescue, which rescues and rehabilitates ex-racehorses for adoption, is launching is first annual "Fill the Hay Wagon" fund drive campaign.

The horse rescue currently cares for about 50 horses, several with direct bloodlines to famous racehorses Secretariat, the only undefeated Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew, and Deputy Minister. Funds to pay for food and shelter for these horses are running dangerously low. Mid America Horse Rescue hopes the fund drive will help generate the vital donations necessary to help care for the horses it has rescued throughout the greater Midwestern region.

To make a donation to the "Fill the Hay Wagon" fund drive, visit http://www.midamericahorserescue.org and click on the Donate Now link to pay via debit or credit through PayPal. Or, send a check payable to Mid America Horse Rescue at P. O. Box 1032, Columbia, Ill., 62236.

"This fundraising drive is vital to creating the financial support needed to continue rescuing the Thoroughbreds that so many of us cheer on throughout the racing season," said Margo Sutter, founder and president of Mid America Horse Rescue. "With the support of our local and racing communities, together we can continue to move forward."

In addition to the “Fill the Hay Wagon” fund drive, Mid America Horse Rescue is seeking corporate sponsors to support equine assisted therapy programs to serve adults and children with disabilities. (Two horses at the rescue have already been selected to fill this need.) Mid America Horse Rescue also hopes to establish industry regulations and funding to support aftercare programs, in addition to building America’s premier equine rescue and rehabilitation facility.

Since 2008, Mid America Horse Rescue has transitioned more than 200 horses into loving homes. While a significant step, this number represents only a fraction of the need that remains. Although horse racing is a thriving industry in the U.S. and numerous horses are bred each year to compete, nothing protects the lives of these noble creatures once they stop winning.

About Mid America Horse Rescue:

Mid America Horse Rescue, a non-profit organization based in Millstadt, Ill., was founded in 2008 to fill a void in the horse racing industry. The group rescues, rehabilitates and retrains ex-racehorses for adoption, or for therapy programs to serve people in need. The organization also assists the racing industry by encouraging the development of retirement funds to support horses after their racing career is finished (often retired at only four-years-old). The facility currently cares for about 50 Thoroughbreds – with needs ranging from training and complex medical care, to simply love. It is one of only 13 licensed equine rescue facilities in Illinois, and the southern-most facility in the U.S. We need financial support in order to continue operating the rescue and shelter facilities. Please join our mission at www.midamericahorserescue.org.

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Editors Note: Please contact Kristin Gumper at kristin.gumper@yahoo.com or (314) 630.5459 for photography of the rescued Thoroughbreds.