Qualifications and Eligibility

1. 
   Only a veterinarian may request financial assistance from the foundation
2. Veterinarians do not have to be members of the foundation to utilize the program for their clients
3. Horses must reside in Cayuga, Cortland or Tompkins County in New York State at this time. Additional counties may be incorporated in the future
4. There are no age or breed restrictions
5. Horses that are insured DO NOT qualify
6. Each horse would be eligible for support ONCE in it’s lifetime
7. A single household or client is eligible for support for TWO horses in a FIVE year period
8. A certified or recognized rescue can make unlimited requests
9. Certified or recognized rescues must be “on file” with the Foundation
10. The foundation recognizes the AAEP’s guidelines for determining appropriate euthanasia. We have adapted them for acutely distressed horses and added additional questions to determine if a horse is eligible.
    Is the condition ACUTE?
    Is the horse suffering?
    Does the immediate condition suggest a hopeless prognosis for life?
    Is the horse a hazard to himself or his handlers?
    Will the horse require continuous medication for the relief of pain for the remainder of its life?
    Can the owner sustain special care financially, physically and emotionally?
    How long will the horse experience the current level of pain or debility?
    Is the horse depressed or despondent?
    Does the condition require correction that cannot be financially attained?
    Has the client been given all alternatives?
    Has the horses’ guardian given permission to euthanize the horse?
11. Acute situations include, but are not limited to
    Acute incurable transmissible disease, inoperable colic, severe traumatic injury, acutely sick or incapacitated horses
    Undue suffering for a multitude of reasons
12. Some chronic conditions may be considered
    Board approval is required prior to euthanasia to be eligible for financial support
    An example would be a horse in an immediate rescue situation that is not destined to have an acceptable quality of life due to chronic issues
13. Acceptable methods of painless euthanasia include barbiturate anesthetic, gun and captive bolt performed by a licensed Veterinarian
14. The financially responsible party must contribute monetarily in some way; the entire bill for veterinary services, removal and disposal will not be funded
    
    

Veterinarian Guidelines

1. Any Veterinarian who feels a horse may be qualified should contact any ONE person on the Board of Directors who may act solely on the organizations behalf
2. Only a few questions will be asked of the Veterinarian
   a. You will be asked to identify yourself as a veterinarian by giving your NY State License number as a non-recorded password
   b. Is the horse acutely distressed?
   c . Is there a financial need?
   d . Is euthanasia recommended?
   e . Has the horse’s guardian consented to euthanasia?
   f . Does the client want bereavement counseling and if so, what is the phone number they can be reached at within the next 72 hours?
3. The dollar amount to be sponsored will be relayed to the Veterinarian at the time of qualification
4. Veterinarians are responsible for collecting the balance of the invoice from the client
5. Veterinarians must submit a copy of the invoice to the foundation
6. Financial reimbursement directly to the Veterinarian can typically be expected two weeks after the foundation receives the Veterinarians invoice
   
   

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