Surrendering or Rehoming your horse is a difficult but compassionate decision.
You providing your horse the opportunity to receive the care they need which you may no longer be able to provide.
We know you want your horse in a safe and loving place. Many people who reach out to us are concerned about their horses ending up in slaughter or kill pen auctions. We empathize with your concern and encourage you to look at our owner assistance resources page. There is a direct placement program and other resources which may be able to help you and your horse.
We currently have a waiting list
Due to high demand and limited space, we are on a wait list for owner surrenders. The estimated wait time for owner surrenders of horses is currently a year and for owner surrenders of miniature horses and donkeys is 2-6 weeks. Due to space and our adoption interest, we often have more room for miniature horses and donkeys than full size horses.
We prioritize equines in Virginia who are in urgent need, particularly those who are in neglectful and unsafe situations. take in a significant number of law enforcement neglect and abuse cases in addition to owner surrender. If your situation is urgent, please let us know.
Making end-of-life decisions for your equine
If your veterinarian has recommended euthanasia for a painful or untreatable condition, we strongly encourage you to follow your veterinarian’s advice with confidence and compassion. We do not have any special resources or treatments that would change your equine’s prognosis.
For senior equines, especially those aged 25 and beyond, it is often kinder and less stressful to allow them to pass peacefully at home surrounded by people they know and trust. Transitioning to a new location, routine, and herd can be overwhelming for senior equines causing undue stress on their older bodies.
We closely follow the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) guidelines for making euthanasia decisions. Our organization regularly makes end-of-life decisions for equines we love and understand how difficult this can be. We encourage you to consider these guidelines and move forward with compassion.