EMERGENCY GATHERS UNDERWAY TO SAVE WILD HORSES AND BURROS

The following document is an official BLM news release.

Severe drought conditions and recent wildfires throughout the western United States have destroyed thousands of acres of habitat for America's wild horses and burros, and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is conducting emergency gathers to save as many of these animals as possible. "We could be facing emergency gathers of more than 4,000 animals," said Lee Delaney, Group Manager for the BLM's Wild Horse and Burro program. "Some of the animals are in bad shape and we need to rescue them as soon as possible."

Beyond the emergency gathers, BLM routinely monitors the herds and removes animals when they begin to over populate their herd area. These removals ensure the rangelands will remain healthy for the remaining wild horses and burros, native wildlife, and permitted livestock.

"BLM needs to find good homes for the 4,000 wild horses and burros we have in our corral facilities through the Bureau's Adopt-A-Horse or Burro Program," added Delaney. "We need to find as many good adopters as possible to make room for the animals that we will be gathering from the emergency."

To qualify to adopt a wild mustang or burro, individuals must be at least 18 years old, a resident of the United States, and have no convictions for inhumane treatment of animals. Adopters also must have adequate facilities, the financial means to care for the animal(s), and should have some experience training or raising a horse or burro. A stock trailer will be required to transport the animal(s). Qualified adopters can adopt up to four animals.

Mustangs make excellent riding stock, and properly trained some adopted mustangs have become national champions in dressage, snaffle bit competitions, trail, endurance, and jumping. The animals available for adoption have been wormed and vaccinated and are in good health. The process is called an "adoption" because BLM retains title to the animal for one year after the adoption. During the year, a BLM or designated representative will visit each adopter to ensure the animal is being cared for and has a good home. During this time, adopters cannot sell their adopted animals.

After the first year, adopters may apply for title. BLM will pass title of the animal if all the stipulations of the adoption agreement have been met. The animal becomes the private property of the adopter only after BLM transfers title, which completes the adoption process. More than 175,000 animals have been placed in private homes since the Adopt-A-Horse or Burro Program began in 1973. For more information about the Bureau's Adopt-A-Horse or Burro Program call 1-800-417-9647 or visit the BLM's National Wild Horse and Burro Program website at www.blm.gov/whb.

Related Links:

Up-to-date Fire Reports

Urgent Need for Qualified Adopters

Additional "Emergency" BLM Adoptions

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