NEW YORK—The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals announced that it has granted $125,000 to three organizations to support their efforts to create one-of-a-kind, innovative programs that keep owned horses out of risk and in their homes.

The ASPCA Equine Welfare Safety Net Innovation Grant Program inspires new thinking and initiatives to improve equine welfare and expand safety net services for equines. The grant program supports new initiatives designed to identify owners with at-risk horses to deliver services and resources to help keep horses in their homes or provide access to euthanasia to alleviate suffering.

“We know there are too many horses being surrendered to rehoming organizations simply because their owners are experiencing short-term economic stress or have other issues that are relatively straight-forward to address,” said Dr. Emily Weiss, vice president of ASPCA Equine Welfare. “Safety net programs are vital to decreasing the risk for these horses by keeping them in their homes, and we are excited to be supporting these innovative new safety net programs to help ensure good welfare for all horses.”

University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, which received a $50,000 grant, will study the impact of free veterinary clinics and individual care for horses in underserved communities in northern California and Nevada. They will use supervised veterinary students to provide essential veterinary care, educate owners, and promote routine preventative medicine.

Other ASCPA grants were awarded to Days End Farm Horse Rescue in Woodbine, Md. ($25,000) and to Kentucky Humane Society in Louisville, Ky. ($50,000).