Horse Adoption Agencies

Types

• Agencies operate in a wide spectrum of formats, ranging from a single centralized facility to a network of volunteer foster homes. "Chosen by a Horse" by Susan Richards recounts the story of a volunteer foster care-giver. Some agencies work with only with one breed; others work with any domesticated animal. Some are governmental department functions, while volunteers operate others as a service.

Function

• Agencies take in horses from many sources and in many conditions. A rescued horse is likely to require medical attention. Undernourished animals must have weight restored. Abused animals may be suffering psychological damage, so agencies perform personality evaluations. Training levels are measured and deficiencies addressed. An agency may designate horses deemed unadoptable due to age or infirmity as "program horses" and use them within the agency for educational or public relations purposes.

Significance

• Horse adoption agencies do more than place horses. Many use rehabilitated horses to provide equine therapy classes for emotionally or physically disabled children. The Grace Foundation of Northern California offers life science field trips for children and Summer VET Camp for teens interested in a potential veterinary career (Reference 3).

Features

• Check your local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals by going online (http://www.spca.com) and entering your location in the search field. Many SPCA facilities handle equine adoptions.

  Adopt a wild burro or mustang through the Bureau of Land Management's Mustang Adoption Program. In order to keep the burro and mustang population on federal lands at sustainable levels, BLM runs annual roundups and adoptions. Apply for one of these equines online or at a BLM facility (Reference 1).

  Visit Chincoteague Island to adopt one the ponies made famous by Marguerite Henry's "Misty of Chincoteague." The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department conducts an annual event to swim their herd of ponies from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island. Selected ponies are sold (Reference 2).

  Consider independent adoption organizations as well. Search by a particular breed to find groups specializing in that breed or by location to find agencies near you.

Misconceptions

• • The horses are free.
  Adopt a horse from an adoption agency and you will pay a fee. The funds help the agency to continue operations. The fee may be close to the cost of purchasing a horse from a private party.

  • There are not many horses that need adoption.
  Horses may be seized from abusive situations, rescued at auction to prevent them being sold for slaughter, or given up by owners who can no longer provide for them. The BLM roundup alone results in thousands of animals needing homes.

  • Everyone who applies for a horse gets one.
  Stringent guidelines exist for would-be owners. Provide adequate space and shelter and demonstrate means to care properly for a horse if you want to adopt.

Warning

• Check the agency's adoption rules. Some agencies will only allow adoptions in their state.

  Understand that these horses have problems. Reputable agencies disclose the known condition of an animal, but have your own veterinarian check out any horse you consider adopting.