I get emails asking why our horses have adoption fees since, "they are just rescue horses"...I am going to do my best to explain it and for the record these only our (Angel Acres) estimated costs and are relevant to East Coast cost of goods, etc. And of course, our policies and procedures...here we ggooooo...these prices are averages and can be slightly higher or lower. THIS IS PART 1 - Part 2- Posts Tomorrow!
Cost to purchase horse from kill buyer - $350
Transport to quarantine farm - $50
Two months quarantine farm - $500 ($250 per month)
Transport to training facility - $275
Board at training facility - $300 - $100 per month (we are EXTREMELY grateful to our friend who allows us unlimited access to our horses and their indoor arena for this extremely low price...we supply hay, grain and treats)
Vet Care - Shots, Vet Check, Coggins, teeth, etc. - $250
Farrier - $20 (we get a discounted rate for our horses)
Dewormer - $20 for at least two rounds
Hay - $360 - $90 per month
Feed - $120 - $30 per month
Training - $700 - $350 per month for minimum two months flat work schooling
Care for ONE SINGLE HORSE is $2845 (this is the high end estimated cost - see tomorrow's blog for other details/horse info) for a horse in our care for 4 to 5 months.
We do NOT rely solely on adoption fees...we supplement with fundraisers (thank you Fran and friends), grant writing, and private donations. We do not get on forums and beg for money to pull horses from kill pens, we know how much money we have BEFORE we go to the sale. Donations made to us for the slaughter/rescue fund are tax deductible and you will get a receipt, a thank you card from me and you will know which horse you helped rescue and you will have access to updated information.
We do NOT bid against private buyers, trainers, families, etc...however if we are CERTAIN that the kill buyer is the one bidding, we will bid (will save us money).
We do NOT raise money and then give the horse away to anyone who pops up...we strive to ensure a solid, good match between horse and adopter. We stand behind each and every horse we adopt out. Every horse is vetted, trained and personally handled by me before he or she is made available for adoption.
We WILL give away a fully trained or ready to be finished horse if we need the spot for an emergency or under special circumstances. Everyone fills out an application and I have done checks on state troopers, a minister, a humane police officer, an actual relative of my husbands and on and on...doesn't matter who you are or who you know...we put the horses best interest, the adopters potential happiness and suitability first, always.
We don't play the "woe is me, feel sorry for us because we are a rescue" card...we know that everybody already knows how hard we work, how heartbreaking the days can be and that we rely on public support and adoption fees.
We work hard to raise awareness in a positive fashion, we refuse to use graphic photos or slaughter house videos to make our point. I do not take a salary (thank you Greg) yet work from sunup to WAY past sundown (but what other job makes the day FLY by?!) and only work with the best people and the best rescues possible.
I don't EVER take one minute of what I do for granted...I know that I am extremely lucky to be able to play, uh work, with horses every single day of my life...not many people are able to do that and if not for the fantastic support of my husband, children and special volunteers, we would not be where we are today.
We are also striving to change the perception of the rescued horse...they are (most of the time) sound, healthy, young and sane...NOT old, crippled or sick. Come back tomorrow to learn more!
Jo Deibel
President
Angel Acres Horse Haven Rescue, Inc.
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