The Southern California Equine Foundation is a non-profit, charitable corporation dedicated to the care of the injured racehorse. Donations to SCEF are accepted and acknowledged in the following manner:
Rescue Operations-Funds Surgical Costs
The SCEF, in conjunction with veterinarians on the racetrack backside who upon request donate their time and skills, performs surgeries on horses that no longer are useful to the animal's owner and would otherwise be "put to sleep." These horses still have potential use in other venues or could, at the very least, be put out to pasture to enjoy the rest of their life. Monetary donations are welcome to help us in this endeavor.
Homes Found
In addition to surgery "rescue horses," sometimes owners, trainers, or vets ask the SCEF staff to help find homes for horses that can no longer race.
Leigh Gray, a former SCEF employee, dedicates much of her time to this endeavor. She usually has at least five horses on her property at any given time and farms out to friends other horses that she can't personally house. She spends enormous time, money, and energy finding homes for these horses. Leigh has set up her own non-profit organization, Thoroughbred Rehab Center Inc. Please see the article, provided by Leigh Gray, on some of the horses that have gone on to other walks of life.
In 2007, the California Retirement Management Account (CARMA), a non-profit, charitable organization created to raise money for retired California Thoroughbred racehorses, was founded in 2007. It is run by an independent board of directors. CARMA is responsible for hosting fundraising events, educating owners and trainers on equine retirement, raising awareness, and working to unify the industry in support of our equine athletes. In 2013, the CARMA Placement Program was created to act as a liaison between horsemen and CARMA Aftercare Partners (non-profit benefactors of CARMA grant funds). The primary focus of the program is to facilitate the transition of horses directly from the racetrack to the aftercare organization that can best place that horse into its second career.
The United Pegasus Foundation is another place we can call on to accept horses.
If you would be interested in helping these horses, please contact the following organizations:
- Thoroughbred Rehab Center (Leigh Gray), www.tbrci.org
- CARMA, www.carma4horses.org
- The United Pegasus Foundation (Helen Meredith), www.unitedpegasus.com
Building Fund
The SCEF is in continual need of funds to repair and upgrade the Santa Anita hospital facility. The generosity of donors has allowed the SCEF to build the current facility at Del Mar. With additional donations, the SCEF can keep both facilities up-to-date.
Equipment Fund-Donor Plaques
This equipment fund is used to replace outdated, irreparable equipment. The fund can also be used to purchase new technologies and diagnostic tools.
If you would be interested in donating funds to purchase a specific item, a "donated by" plaque would be placed on this equipment. Please contact the SCEF for a full list of equipment needs (and "would be nice to haves"), along with estimated costs.
Research Funding
While Dolly Green Research Foundation generously helps support SCEF's research projects, research funding is always an ongoing need. If you're interested in supporting equine research contact us for information on potential projects needing funding.