08/31/2026
**PETITION TO PERMANENTLY BAN HORSE SLAUGHTER GAINS MOMENTUM**
Around 58,000 wild horses and burros are currently being cared for in federal off-range holding facilities across the United States. As the cost and size of the programme continue to grow, the Bureau of Land Management has increased efforts to sell eligible animals, in some cases for as little as $25. 🐴
The BLM says purchasers must agree not to sell animals for slaughter and that its sales programme is intended to place them in suitable homes. However, welfare campaigners argue that existing safeguards may not provide enough long-term protection once ownership has transferred. They fear some animals could eventually pass through livestock auctions or reach buyers connected to the slaughter trade.
Those concerns have intensified following a sharp increase in wild-horse sales during 2025 and reports that some federally managed horses were later identified at auctions attended by so-called “kill buyers.”
Horse slaughter does not currently operate on American soil, largely because Congress renews restrictions on funding inspections each year. However, thousands of American horses continue to be transported to Canada and Mexico for slaughter.
The bipartisan SAFE Act would make the prohibition permanent, banning horse slaughter for human consumption in the United States and the export of American horses for that purpose.
Supporters believe permanent legislation is needed to close remaining gaps and ensure that wild horses, former racehorses, carriage horses and family companions cannot enter the slaughter pipeline. Opponents and some livestock groups argue that Congress must also address overpopulation, affordable veterinary care, responsible breeding and the shortage of suitable long-term homes.
More than 20,000 people have now signed the petition calling on Congress to pass the SAFE Act.
**The link to the petition is in the comments.**