Lexington, Ky. – December 3, 2013 - The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) announced today that it has accredited 20 additional Thoroughbred aftercare facilities. These facilities join the TAA’s first three accredited facilities, Florida Thoroughbred Retirement and Adoptive Care, New Vocations, and Southern California Thoroughbred Rescue, for a total of 23 TAA accredited facilities. These organizations are now eligible to receive financial grants from the TAA for the ongoing care of retired Thoroughbreds.

 
These facilities represent a cross-section of rescue, retirement, retraining and adoption programs located across the United States as well as two in Canada. Following a detailed application process and careful onsite examinations by TAA inspectors and independent veterinarians, each of these facilities was judged to have met or exceeded the TAA Code of Standards in the areas of operations, education, horse care management, facility standards and services, and adoption policies and protocols.
 
Stated James Hastie, TAA Executive Director: “We’re thrilled to grant accreditation to these worthy organizations in recognition of the great work they’re doing. Each of these facilities has undergone a rigorous review process to ensure that they are providing a uniform level of care for our retired Thoroughbreds, and we are pleased to invite them to apply for funding.”
 
Newly accredited facilitiesin the Mid-Atlantic region are:
·         Angel Acres Horse Haven - Glenville, Pa.
·         Mid-Atlantic Horse Rescue - Chesapeake City, Md.        
·         ReRun - Virginia Beach, Va.  
·         Thoroughbred Placement Resources - Upper Marlboro, Md.       
 
To view the requirements for TAA accreditation and the complete TAA Code of Standards for aftercare facilities, please visit the Accreditation page on the TAA website. The 2014 Code of Standards and the Application for Accreditation will be available in February 2014.
 
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, jockeys, aftercare professionals and other industry groups. To support the TAA, please visit thoroughbredaftercare.org or call 859-224-2756.