Description
My name is Dawn Mellen and I am the President/Founder of After the Finish Line based in Toluca Lake, California. We are a 501 (c) (3) funding non-profit dedicated to helping Thoroughbred horses that can no longer race or breed. We host fundraisers in the Del Mar and Los Angeles areas. Please visit our website at, www.afterthefinishline.org .
" The greatest victory for a Thoroughbred is not winning a race, but winning the race to live long past their days on the racetrack."
For nearly a decade I have been volunteering to help rescue organizations across the United States save, care for and rehabilitate Thoroughbred ex-racehorses and broodmares for a second career. I quickly learned that funding was the common problem for all rescues. There is a need to raise funds to help them support their existing Thoroughbreds as well as provide funding to rescue additional horses.
Because I was ready to increase my level of commitment to the Thoroughbreds I started After the Finish Line. I believe people want to help the Off Track Thoroughbreds yet they don't know how or who to donate to. The donations given to After the Finish Line enables us to award Monthly Emergency Funds to Thoroughbred rescue organizations across the United States. The funding can be used to save horses at auctions from going to slaughter, pay for surgery or medical expenses, pay for farrier, dental or vet expenses, provide hay and feed, pay boarding expenses, or transport a Thoroughbred to safety.
Board members do not receive any salary. We are all volunteers. These beautiful animals deserve the opportunity to transition into second careers such as hunter/jumpers, dressage, trail, therapeutic riding or companion horses. More and more people are becoming aware of the cruel fate that awaits many of these Thoroughbreds. They should not be forgotten in their time of need. After the Finish Line will be a voice for Off Track Thoroughbreds that are not supported when their racing careers are over. Together we can make a better life for the Thoroughbreds.
