Quest - Present Day
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Much has been learned over the past eight years, and we are constantly reviewing and re-assessing our work, outcomes, and the general welfare climate. As a result, the organisation evolves to try to meet perceived needs.
At the inception of our newly structured Quest group we implemented a new aspect to the organisation, in the form of an 'Affiliate Network'. We are very excited about this development, as it has opened up the organisation to involve some of our long term supporters in a 'hands on' manner, and has broadened our capacity to assist. Please visit this page to learn more about our new Quest Equine Welfare Network, and the various means by which Quest Affiliates provide support and assistance to equines and their owners.
The Quest Equine Welfare Affiliate Network was born out of a need to expand our capacity to assist equines who are at risk, and who require either rescue, or their owners require guidance and/or support in order to prevent or solve welfare issues.
Another of Quest’s current priorities is to work towards addressing the issues that lead to the neglect, abandonment, maltreatment, and unwarranted slaughter of equines. There is a chronic over-supply of horses in this country, and this state of affairs is a major contributor to most equine welfare issues we face.
"Around 40,000 horses are slaughtered each year in Australia for human consumption and the pet food industry, mostly for overseas markets, the biggest of which is Japan, followed by France, Switzerland, Belgium and Luxembourg. Around 20% of these horses are feral stock, i.e. brumbies. The remainder is made up of domestic stock, ex-racehorses and the like. The horses are slaughtered, and their meat processed in two onshore export-accredited abattoirs located in South Australia and Queensland.”1.
Chances are that if you have ever sold a horse in a sale yard, they have ended up in one of these two processing plants. Not all equines in the slaughterhouse yard are aged or ill, a high proportion of them are sound, young horses who are merely surplus to requirements. Equine slaughter isn’t utilising a resource, it’s cleaning up a mess.
Quest does accept equines for care and rehabilitation, but due to financial limitations, can only accept those in genuine need. We are unable to take in equines who are simply unwanted, but do operate a successful ‘re-homing’ operation.
Quest is an open organisation, and encourages involvement from any interested individuals, professionals and/or organisations. The crew love to hear from anyone who feels that they may have something to offer Quests work, whether it be skills, advice, or simply to let us know of their concerns in this area.
A great way of becoming initially involved or making contact is to join Quests friendly Forum. Quest Affiliate members visit the forum daily, and are more than happy to respond to any queries.
Reference:
1. Geraldine Chapman www.HorseYard.com.au Article: “I'm So Hungry I Could Eat A Horse”
*Quest does not have the legislated powers that would enable the organisation to seize Horses. The only Australian welfare organisation that does have the legislated powers to do so is the R.S.P.C.A.
COMMITTEE:
President: Rebecca Atkins
Vice President: Dr. Judith Mulholland BSc. BVMS
Secretary: Elizabeth Parker
Treasurer: Catherine Grayson B.Bus. (Acc.)
Ordinary Members:
Tony Di Grande
Jaimee Henderson
Very little of the great cruelty shown by men can really be attributed to cruel instinct. Most of it comes from thoughtlessness or inherited habit.
The roots of cruelty, therefore, are not so much strong as widespread. But the time must come when inhumanity protected by custom and thoughtlessness will succumb before humanity championed by thought.
Let us work that this time may come.
~Albert Schweitzer
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