September 27, 2016 – The Unwanted Horse Coalition (UHC) received a $100,000 grant from the DeWitt Fund of the Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC) to support Operation Gelding.

The Operation Gelding program provides materials, guidance, and support to organizations nationwide to host no- and low-cost gelding clinics for owners who may not otherwise be able to afford to have their stallion castrated. Unintentional and overbreeding have contributed to the unwanted horse population, with costs of more than $2000 per horse to rescue facilities for the annual care of unwanted foals. Since 2010, 107 clinics, run by more than 300 volunteers, have been hosted in 29 states and have resulted in 1348 stallions gelded.

As a result of this grant, along with recent grants from the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association and the American Association of Equine Practitioners, those numbers will almost double by 2018.

“To meet these goals, the UHC will be seeking veterinarians who are willing to partner with organizations in their local areas to host a gelding clinic before September 2017,” said UHC Director, Jennifer Purcell. “Although the guidelines for 2017 clinics will not be available until mid-October, organizations can apply now for clinics being held in 2016.”

According to their website, the Community Foundation for Monterey County partners with individuals, families, nonprofits and businesses to create charitable funds and make grants towards a vision of healthy, safe, vibrant communities, especially in the Monterey region of California.  Donor advised funds, like the DeWitt Fund, support programs and projects of both national and international scope.

“We are honored to receive such a generous grant from the DeWitt Fund of CFMC,” said Dr. Doug Corey, UHC Chairman. “The donors can be assured that choosing to take this proactive approach to reducing the number of unwanted horses will benefit horses, owners, rescues, underserved communities, and the equine industry as a whole.”

Individuals and organizations interested in hosting a clinic should contact the UHC office at 202-296-4031 or uhc@horsecouncil.org; or visit the UHC website at www.unwantedhorsecoalition.org.  Information about gelding vouchers will be available in December.