The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) announced today that equine aftercare organizations can apply for accreditation from now through April 15, 2015. Once they have been accredited, such organizations are eligible to receive funding grants from the TAA to go toward the care and rehabilitation of Thoroughbreds in their care.
According to the TAA Code of Standards, accreditation status is determined after a complete review of five areas: operations, education, horse health care management, facility standards and services, and adoption policies and protocols.
At minimum, organizations applying for accreditation must fulfill the following six requirements:
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o Organization must have a current status as a 501 (c) 3 tax-exempt organization with Internal Revenue Service or be a registered charity in Canada.
o Organization must have been operational for a minimum of three years.
o Organization must house a minimum of 50% and/or a minimum of 5 thoroughbreds.
o Organization must have an official euthanasia policy consistent with the AAEP http://aaep.mediamarketers.com/euthanasia-guidelines-i-334.html .
o Principals of the organization have never been convicted of killing, abandoning, mistreating, neglecting, abusing or otherwise committing an act of cruelty to a horse.
o Currently there are no legal proceedings pending against the organization, or a principal of the organization and related to the organization.
Upon submission of the application for accreditation, aftercare organizations may also be subject to a site inspection.
‘A great deal of the TAA’s initial success can be attributed to the very high and thorough code of standards,’ said Jimmy Bell, president of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. ‘These transparent requirements and attention to detail provide great comfort and confidence to so many TAA supporters.’
The TAA was formed in 2012 to serve as the accreditation and fundraising body for Thoroughbred aftercare. Currently, there are 42 aftercare organizations accredited with the TAA, and those organizations were eligible for $2,400,000 in grants awarded by the TAA in 2014.
‘Organizations that are accredited by the TAA meet standards designed to enhance the well-being of Thoroughbreds upon the conclusion of their racing or breeding careers,’ said Kristin Leshney, legal associate and Thoroughbred Incentive Program coordinator for The Jockey Club and chair of the Accreditation Committee for the TAA. ‘The rigorous review of the application and the thorough inspection process ensure that all accredited organizations are providing a uniform and appropriate level of care for Thoroughbreds.’
Based in Lexington, Ky., the TAA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization designed to serve as both an accrediting body for aftercare facilities that care for Thoroughbreds following the conclusion of their racing careers, and a fundraising body to support these approved facilities. Funded initially by seed money from Breeders’ Cup, Ltd., The Jockey Club, and Keeneland Association, the TAA is comprised of and supported by owners, trainers, breeders, racetracks, aftercare professionals and other industry groups.
