WHAT ARE RESCUE/REHABILITATION ORGANISATIONS?  
  
Rescue / Rehabilitation facilities play a role in providing care, or finding new owners for horses that are considered unwanted.

Rescues perform a variety of activities. They take in horses and other Equines from various sources such as auctions, off the track racehorses, donated or owner surrendered horses, abandoned horses, or those that have been removed from their owners by the R.S.P.C.A or D.P.I. 

Rescues might also provide education in the form of training and riding clinics, seminars on horse care topics, and printed information – they do this in the hope of preventing neglect due to ignorance.
 
When an owner has a horse that they fear they cannot keep due to illness, injury, lameness, or behavioral or training problem, some rescues are able to help the owner find a Vet or other Equine professional who can help the owner solve his/her problems and keep the horse.

Rescuers may also work with Law Enforcement Officers to investigate reports of neglect or abuse, and/or take in horses that have been removed from their owners due to neglect/abuse or found abandoned. 

A better understanding of what a Horse Rescue is, how they operate, and how to select a good rescue encourages horse enthusiasts and the general public to support and volunteer with Rescue organizations.
  

Rescue terms:

 

  • Private rescue: Individual, family, or small group who rescues horses. They fund the rescue primarily out of their own pocket but may do some fundraising and get gifts from others who want to help. 
  • Non-profit rescues: Organisations that have filed articles of incorporation or association with their state. Directors and officers of corporation are protected from being held financially accountable for debts incurred by the corporation.
  • Tax-exempt organization: File paperwork with the ATO to become tax-exempt. Donations to tax-exempt organizations are deductible, and tax-exempt organisations do not pay tax on income related to their charitable purpose. They’re also held to a standard of "public accountability’ – meaning their financial statements, bylaws, etc. must be available to the public. 
  • Sanctuaries: Take in horses and other equines and keep them for the remainder of life.
  • Adoption program: Bring in horses and other equines, evaluate and rehabilitate them (if needed) and place them into loving adoptive homes. 

 

  

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What ARE Rescue Organisations?

If you’ve decided that a Rescue, Rehabilitation or Retirement facility is the best option for your horse, we encourage you to read the
'Care Guidlines for Equine Rescue and Retirement Facilities'
developed by the American Association of Equine Practitioners. To our knowledge, there is no such document available which relates to our Australian circumstances, but the above document is a very thorough and informative read.
 
Unfortunately, as in every industry, there are unscrupulous people. Sometimes, people get into Rescue hoping to make a "fast buck" at the expense of the public and the horses they claim to help. Luckily, there are far more good Rescuers out there – and there are ways to select a good Rescue and avoid the bad ones.
  
Although the vast majority of rescue and retirement facilities are run honestly, and with the horse's best interests at heart, it doesn't hurt to tour the facility and ensure all horses are properly cared for.
 
While you are visiting a facility, be sure to examine the surroundings. Will they allow you to look around? How do the horses look? Is the place neat, clean and free of debris?
 
If you are considering supporting a Rescue/Rehabilitation provider, or requesting advice/support from an organisation, talk to the Rescue.

 
Ask Questions:

  • Why are you involved in rescue?
  • What are your rescue goals?
  • What is your biggest rescue success?
  • How do you fund the rescue?
  • How are donated funds allocated? Any genuine organisation will offer to show you the records of their incomings/outgoings.
  • How much time do you spend with the horses daily?
  • Where do your horses come from?
  • How much has your rescue grown in the past year? Since you began rescuing?
  • How many equines are adopted out, sold, or re-homed each year?
  • How many adopted equines are returned to you?
  • Describe your horse experience. 

 

 Visit the Facility: 
  • Is the facility servicable and safe?
  • Are the horses being cared for?
  • How do the volunteers interact with the horses?
For Rescues with Foster Programs:
  • Review the fostering policy and how foster horses are assigned to homes.
  • What happens if a foster horse isn’t working out?
  • Does anyone check up on foster homes? How often?
  • Are there standard procedures set in place for this?
  • Talk to some foster homes.
  • Review the Rescue’s policies. 
  • Check References: Veterinarians Farriers, Donors, Adopters, Volunteers.   

 

Rescues need your help! 

 
All Australian Rescue organisations that we are aware of run solely on volunteer manpower. If you have legal skills, accounting skills, fundraising skills, promotion/public relations skills, etc – Rescues need you. If you can Foster, Adopt, or assist with transport – Rescues need you. Rescues also need your donations – there is no Government funding for Rescues, they depend on fundraisers and donations to bring in the money to pay Vet, Farrier, Dentist, Chiropractor, transport, feed, and other bills.

Each year, dozens or more new rescues spring up across the country. Unfortunately, just as many Rescues also close their doors annually.