The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will host an equine anti-cruelty summit and panel discussion on Friday, Jan. 8, 2010, at the George Morris Horsemastership Clinics at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, Fla.

ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres will lead a panel discussion on critical equine welfare and anti-cruelty issues affecting horses and animals. Joining Sayres on this panel will be Melinda Merck, DVM, senior director of Veterinary Forensics for the ASPCA, along with gold and silver Olympic medalists, world class riders and trainers, veterinarians, and Humane Law Enforcement officials from the ASPCA, as well as select representatives from other non-profit groups that advocate for and protect horses. The ASPCA's first-of-its-kind Mobile Animal Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Unit will also be on-site, and will be open for tours throughout the event.

"We are thrilled to host such an unprecedented and important event," Sayres said. "We are hopeful this summit will both inform and engage those in the world of equine and animal welfare to advocate for the humane treatment of all animals."

Topics will include unwanted and abandoned horses, horse adoption, horse slaughter, inhumane training and practices, and carriage horse issues. The event will conclude with an introduction of rescued horses and dogs from the local area that are available for adoption, and attendees will be given a chance to adopt as well as a call to action to sign the ASPCA's anti-cruelty pledge and become ambassadors for animal welfare