Homeless horses used in Mardi Gras parades available for adoption

NEW ORLEANS, La. (WAFB) - As the good times wind down and Mardi Gras season comes to a close, a non-profit is working to adopt out the homeless horses that helped carry carnival royalty through the streets of New Orleans.

According to the Humane Society of Louisiana, people can adopt horses brought into the city from horse brokers to meet the additional demand for animals in parades during Mardi Gras.

According to the non-profit organization, until recently, it was not uncommon for the parade horses to be subsequently sold to slaughter after the festivities.

“Several years ago, we began receiving reports that some of the parade horses, still distinctive with glitter and decorations from Mardi Gras, were spotted en route to slaughter in Mexico,” said Jeff Dorson, founder and executive director for the Humane Society of Louisiana.

The Mardi Gras Horse Adoption Program began in 2017, and since then, 106 Mardi Gras horses have been adopted, according to the non-profit.

“Once we became aware of the sad reality behind the pageantry, we mobilized our team to ensure that none of the Mardi Gras horses would ever again endure this cruel fate,” said Dorson.

Find out which horses are available for adoption HERE. More information about the Mardi Gras Horse Adoption Program is available on the Humane Society of Louisiana’s website.

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