Equine Welfare Data Collective Kicks off Data Drive with Contest
Equine Welfare Data Collective Kicks off Data Drive with Contest
In 2022, the number of intakes for horse rescues and sanctuaries due to law enforcement confiscations rose 90% compared to 2021, according to the 2022 Equine Welfare Data Collective (EWDC). In that same breath, there was almost a 3% drop in relinquishments by owners.
However, adoptions were down almost 10% between 2022 and 2021.
Why are these numbers so important? Each year, since 2018, the EWDC collects and shares baseline trends in equine welfare on a national and regional level. This vital data helps all facets of the equine industry to shape how the horse industry can approach the needs of at-risk horses, as well as allow the EWDC to better address what types of programs will make the most impact and receive funding to provide for those needs.
January 26 initiated the second half of the 2023 collection time period. And, to kick it all off, the EWDC is hosting a Data Drive Contest. Participants in the EWDC who submit their reports from now until February 19 are automatically qualified to win one of three Visa gift cards (one for $100 and two for $50).
The survey, which opens twice a year to allow for easier data collection, is open to any 501(c)3, nonprofit and municipal organization. The survey for the second half of 2023 is open for data that was collected from July 1 to December 31. For groups that prefer to submit the entire year at once, they can choose to submit via the Aggregate Survey for January 1 – December 31, 2023.
There is over 900 501(c)3 registered equine welfare organizations in the US. Reporting organizations are committed to sharing their data, and transparency of their statistics, and seek to measure their effectiveness and success against national and regional trends.
“Having as many organizations represented in our surveys helps us push for a positive change for at-risk horses and those in transition,” says Kelsey Buckley, EWDC Program Administrator. “The more data shared with the EWDC, the more accurate and credible our reports are in informing our industry what’s going on, and how we can improve for this population of equines.”
The EWDC collects national data on equine welfare from these groups as part of the United Horse Coalition (UHC). It’s important to remember that granting organizations like the United Horse Coalition, TRH, Foundation for the Horse, and the ASPCA will look for contributions to the EWDC as part of their funding considerations. Data is important. The more data we collect, the better we make positive changes for equines at-risk and in transition.
Organizations can submit their data online: https://unitedhorsecoalition.org/submit-data/
Who is eligible to participate in the EWDC?Any 501c3 or state-registered nonprofit or municipal organization that functions as a transition center, adoption center, rescue, sanctuary, shelter, direct placement program, safety net program or other service involved in equine welfare.
What Data is Collected?Data is collected by category (i.e., number of intakes via owner surrender, agency transfer, law enforcement confiscation, etc.). Groups are encouraged to keep impeccable records.
The word “equine” is used throughout the survey; however, this encompasses even more than just horses. Equine encompasses any member of the Equidae family including horses, ponies, donkeys, zebras and any hybrids (i.e., mules, hinnies, zedonks, etc.).
The survey is an anonymous interview, and any identifying records submitted are used for verification purposes only.
The EWDC is the only national research project collecting, analyzing data, and reporting data from all US equine welfare organizations to inform and develop strategies to assist horses at risk or in need. The EWDC was created by the UHC, a program of the American Horse Council (AHC), with funding partners being the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Right Horse Program, the Foundation for the Horse, and the US Equestrian Trust.
Participation in the EWDC is free, and all data collected is aggregated so no individual organization is identified. Organizations that contribute data are the first to receive the results and are given an EWDC badge for their website to publicly demonstrate their commitment to the mission.
To view all EWDC reports or contribute data, please visit the EWDC website at www.unitedhorsecoalition.org/ewdc/ or contact Kelsey Buckley, EWDC program administrator at EWDC@horsecouncil.org.
