Ashley Avis, the writer and director known for Disney+’s Black Beauty and the upcoming films City of Angels and American Wolf, has launched a new initiative through her nonprofit, Wild Beauty Foundation (WBF).
The Lost Horses campaign hopes to harness the power of film and Hollywood storytelling to shine a spotlight on the tens of thousands of horses that disappear into the slaughter pipeline each year and rally public support for the Save America’s Forgotten Horses (SAFE) Act (HR 1661/S. 775), which would ban the slaughter of horses in the United States and the export of horses for slaughter abroad.
The PSA campaign debuted on January 23 and is set to Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?” Starring Olympians Jessica Springsteen and Karl Cooke, actors Mackenzie Foy, Beth Bears, Zosia Mamet, Pom Klementieff, Dermot Mulroney, American singer-songwriter Dewey Bunnell, New York Times best-selling poet Atticus, and community-based group the Compton Cowboys.
“The story of America’s horses is one of both profound beauty and heartbreak,” said Avis, founder and president of the Wild Beauty Foundation. “My hope is that through the emotional language of film, we can shine a light on this national tragedy and remind people that compassion for all living things is powerful and necessary.”
The SAFE Act is endorsed by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), the Animal Welfare Association, the EQUUS Foundation, the Humane Society (formerly the Humane Society of the United States), and the Cloud Foundation.
“Storytelling has the power to change hearts and change laws,” said Congressman Vern Buchanan (R-Florida). As co-chair of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus, he helped pass the SAFE Act, a bill that would permanently end horse slaughter in the United States and end the export of American horses to slaughter overseas. “I’m proud to lead a bipartisan effort to move forward with this bill, which a majority of the House of Representatives has already supported, to permanently end horse slaughter in the United States and halt the export of American horses to slaughter overseas. Horses helped build this country and continue to serve as athletes.” I applaud the Wild Beauty Foundation for using the power of film to shine a light on this cruelty and highlight the need to protect America’s horses. ”
Over the next year, The Lost Horses will develop a series of short films, digital and traditional PSAs, and live events, highlighting everything from wild mustangs and rescue horses to lesson ponies and Olympic athletes.
“As co-chair of the Congressional Wild Horse Caucus, I have seen how much Nevadans care about protecting wild and domestic horses,” said Rep. Dina Titus (D-Nev.). “The SAFE Act will finally close a loophole that has allowed thousands of horses to be exported for slaughter. I am proud to co-sponsor this bill and am grateful to organizations like the Wild Beauty Foundation for helping Americans understand what is at stake.”
“Wild horses and burros are part of our national heritage,” added Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9). “As co-chair of the Congressional Wild Horse Caucus and co-sponsor of the Save America’s Forgotten Horses Act (SAFE), I am dedicated to preventing these animals from being sold into the slaughterhouse pipeline. A humane and compassionate approach is the best way to save them.”
“Horses have been our partners for centuries,” Avis added. “They are woven into our culture and into who we are. They built this country on their backs, stood by us in battle, and continue to serve us today as athletes, companions, and therapy animals. I am proud to combine storytelling and advocacy to protect them.”
The Wild Beauty Foundation and Saving Gracie Equine Foundation will be hosting a special Sundance event on Friday, January 23rd at Blue Sky Ski Lounge, where they will perform their first PSA set, “What Was I Made For?” Written by Billie Eilish.
The PSA is:
