Virginia Partnership for Horses

09/03/2026

Rotz Livestock is not above the law in New York!

It's illegal to transport equines intended for slaughter through NY according to their newly passed state laws, and the enforcement of this new legislation is a huge win against those who are so emboldened to do it anyway.

Thank you New York State Police and Animals' Angels USA for your efforts here ♥

This is the takedown we’ve been working toward for years. Twenty-five horses are alive today after New York State Police intercepted a slaughter-bound shipment from longtime kill buyer Bruce “Rotten” Rotz headed to Viande Richelieu in Canada.

Animals’ Angels investigators were on the ground tracking Rotz’s operation, and we’re deeply grateful to New York State Police for their swift action, with critical support from Senator Dan Stec and HORSEPWR in helping make this intervention possible.

And thanks in part to the New York State Humane Association, the horses are now safe and receiving the care they need.

Animals’ Angels has investigated Rotz and his slaughter-horse operation since 2009. We didn’t stop investigating — and this week, 25 horses got the chance they deserved.

Read the full story: https://info.animalsangels.org/25-horses-saved

Stay tuned. We’ll share more about these 25 horses — and what comes next for “Rotten Rotz” — as soon as we can.

09/02/2026

This is no small feat.

Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) is one of the top Accrediting bodies for animal welfare in the world and earning their approval takes considerable effort, incredible care and full transparency. Their accreditation process is done onsite and is entirely third-party so no bias or shortcuts are allowed.

Looking for the GFAS logo on a rescue's or sanctuary's website is one of the easiest ways to determine if that is a reputable rescue.

We're excited to share that Hope's Legacy has successfully renewed our Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) accreditation! GFAS is the only organization offering an animal sanctuary accreditation program serving animals worldwide.

Every three years, Hope's Legacy completes a renewal process that includes an application, documentation review, and site visit to maintain this accreditation. Organizations like GFAS are an important part of maintaining our investment in best practices as a rescue. We are truly grateful to be part of this global effort in animal welfare.

📸 is a recent vet visit and vaccine day with Blue Ridge Equine Clinic

08/28/2026

Calling all Partners and Advisors!

After a bit of a summer hiatus, we are finally getting back into our monthly Zoom Meetings today at 3pm. Allison Red Feather will be joining as our guest speaker to discuss the economics and ethics of mass bailing.

Check your email for details.

08/27/2026

Part of the hardest work done in equine welfare is a persistent determination to make the best out of impossible situations. And no one has ever done that better than that beautiful, mythological creature, Dolly Parton.

In her now famous Barbara Walters interview, Dolly unabashedly spoke about her choices and childhood, revealing that she once buried horse manure in hopes that it would grow into a pony after being teased by an uncle who she had told about her undying wish for a horse.

"Ah, bless Dolly Parton, the country girl who stained her mouth with pokeberries before she could afford lipstick, who used her grandmother’s shoulder pads to make her first push-up bra, and who, over and over again, spun the trials of her childhood into beautiful songs. The Tennessee mountain girl who made good without forgetting her roots — who buried horse[poo] and grew into a unicorn." - Lindsay Zoladz (The Ringer)

Here's to the shiniest showgirl of them all, who was a workhorse all along. Thank you for teaching all of us about humility, the pursuit of joy and unconditional acceptance ❤️

08/25/2026

We have welcomed THREE new Equine Rescue & Sanctuary Partners this summer!

The more like-minded voices we can add to the conversation of Equine Welfare in Virginia, the more we can do to keep Virginia equines safe from vulnerable situations, abuse/neglect and the rampant exploitation of the so-called slaughter pipeline.

Looking forward to spending more time with each of our new and existing Partners as we come together to make Virginia a safe haven for all equines!

Nalani Horse Rescue
Richmond Animal Care & Control
Finally Home Animal Haven

08/08/2026

Welcome to a New Partner and the Paradox of Modern-Day Rescue
https://conta.cc/4bysGuO

Email from Virginia Partnership for Horses Welcome to a New Partner and the Paradox of Modern-Day Rescue Welcome Finally Home Animal Haven!!! The FHAH Team accompanied by Baby Hatter, their hospice d

07/14/2026

There have been so many equine seizures across the state this year 🥺 Richmond Animal Care & Control recently received this sweet soul who is fighting for life.

RACC works closely with Woodside Equine Clinic and together they will give this gelding every chance humanely possible.

The influx of horses like this to statewide rescues this year is hard to see, but there’s a silver lining: more people are stepping up and doing something when they see something wrong. Horses have always suffered at the hands of humans, sometimes out of meanness, but more often because of human hardship and uncontrollable turmoil.

It’s a difficult situation on many levels: first, it can take both courage and tact to let authorities know if there’s an animal you think needs help. There’s a stigma around “telling” on someone, especially if that someone is experiencing a crisis of their own. If it helps, owners are often burdened by their animals’ suffering, even if they deny it, and getting that animal removed often helps both the animal and the person move forward.

Second, and this is a big one, being an animal control officer is hard. Emotionally, physically, and psychologically. Plus, officers are often under resourced to be able to help large livestock in bad situations. Lack of adequate facilities and funding has historically been a huge bottleneck to getting these horses to safety.

But with more awareness and more folks like RACC and our other Equine Rescue and Sanctuary Partners that tide is starting to shift.

So, yes, seeing all these skinny, sick horses come in is hard. But it also means more folks are feeling empowered to help them, and together they are all making a huge difference for so many horses across the Commonwealth ❤️

07/10/2026

JULY NEWSLETTER 🪷 Partner Retreat 🪷 & a Hungry, Hungry Fly Baby 🪰

05/29/2026

Artex needs a temporary (year-ish) soft landing until his owners can get back on their feet financially.

He's supersweet and a very easy keeper. Gets along with everyone, horse and human alike.

His owners pulled him out of a Carolina killpen years ago, covered in old scars and fresh wounds. Who knows what this little guy has been through. We are hoping a loving home steps up for him soon so he never has to be at-risk again.