The Unwanted Horse Coalition has announced it will continue its Operation Gelding Program after receiving a $15,000 donation from the American Association of Equine Practitioners Foundation.
The Operation Gelding program provides funds and materials to assist organizations, associations, and events that wish to sponsor clinics to which horse owners can bring their stallions to be castrated, according to a UCH release. Since the program was initiated in September 2010, Operation Gelding has assisted in gelding 489 stallions and has provided $24,450 in grant money to organizations that have hosted Operation Gelding castration clinics.
Dr. Douglas Corey, UHC chairman, said the AAEP Foundation’s donation will aid in the castration of 300 additional stallions.
The UHC will provide information and forms necessary to conduct a clinic, along with seed money to defray the costs. Funds of $50 per horse gelded (with a $1,000 maximum) will be awarded to groups once a year. Assistance will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis, subject to available resources, according to a release from UHC.
Organizations can apply by filling out the Operation Gelding Funding Form provided by the UHC. Funds will be awarded once the clinic is complete and a veterinary statement is provided. Any organization, association, or event can participate in the UHC’s Operation Gelding program; the UHC wants to involve as many groups as possible.