We're Tracking Kill Buyers this Summer
We’ve just wrapped up the first leg of our Investigations — and it’s a strong start. Animals’ Angels’ investigators have been on the road, holding kill buyers accountable and shining a light on cruelty and neglect.
We began with the Stanley Brothers at the Kalona Auction in Iowa, then visited the Ridgecrest Wild Horse & Burro Holding Facility in California, and wrapped this round at the Lebanon Valley Horse Auction in Pennsylvania.
We’re encouraged to report that kill buyer activity is on the decline, but serious abuse and neglect continue. Here’s the latest.
IOWA: Kalona Auction – Fewer Kill Buyers, Same Abuse
We weren’t surprised to find the Stanley Brothers at Kalona Auction. But this time, they were the only kill buyers present — a sharp drop from previous years when five or more vied for horses, packing the lot with massive livestock trailers.Kalona, which sells over 500 horses monthly, has long been notorious for poor treatment and a heavy kill buyer presence. But our continued monitoring, and the public outrage following a 2023 Des Moines Register exposé based on Animals’ Angels’ footage, just might be making an impact.
Still, our investigators documented harrowing scenes:
- A horse bleeding profusely from a leg wound
- A Belgian Draft suffering from a large, infected abscess
- An auction worker violently striking a small horse with a wooden cane
Take Action: Help us expose Kalona Auction. Share our investigation and encourage your friends and family to avoid and speak out against this auction.
California: Ridgecrest Wild Horse & Burro Holding Facility
We visited the Ridgecrest Holding Facility in California to observe conditions following the Bureau of Land Management’s latest roundup of wild horses and burros. We saw about 400 horses and burros confined in dusty pens, many lacking basic protections.
Our findings:
- Excess manure in feeding areas, a breeding ground for parasites
- Hay scattered on manure-covered ground — feeders are urgently needed
- Damaged fencing with sharp wire protrusions — a clear injury risk
- Deep holes in the pens could cause serious leg injuries
- Horses biting or chewing fences — likely signs of stress or boredom
- Inadequate shelter, despite summer temps exceeding 100°F
There is significant room for improvement. And now, the danger grows. The President has proposed slashing the Wild Horse & Burro Program’s budget by 25% — and lifting the long-standing ban on slaughter.
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Pennsylvania: Lebanon Valley Horse Auction
At the Lebanon Valley Horse Auction in PA, hosted by former kill buyer turned trader Brian Moore, conditions were slightly better, with most horses having hay and water, and no overt abuse observed. But serious issues remain:
- Several horses were tied where they couldn’t access water
- Many Standardbreds (mostly from Amish/Mennonite owners) were severely underweight
- Horses showing signs of Strangles were not quarantined
No large-scale kill buyers were seen. Prices were lower than average — male donkeys sold for $275, some horses for as little as $300 — likely due to decreased kill buyer competition.
The Big Picture
We’re at a turning point. As kill buyer activity continues to decline, now is the time to intensify pressure and expose every remaining point of cruelty. Animals’ Angels will continue investigating across the country to:
- Hold abusers accountable: All violations are reported to law enforcement
- Support a European horse meat ban: We supply lawmakers with evidence to push import bans
- Fuel U.S. legislative change: Our investigations are used in advocacy meetings to debunk the myth that horse slaughter is “humane euthanasia”.
- Inform the public: Our website identifies the worst auctions and dealers so owners can avoid them
- Help rescues save lives: Our reporting helps rescuers show up where they’re needed most
Thank you for standing with us. Together, we’ll continue exposing abuse and protecting America’s horses.