Additional adoption info
Applying to Adopt
All potential adopters MUST fill out our Adoption Application; submit 2 personal references, a veterinary reference, and photos of the facility where the horse will be kept.
You may complete your application online or you may print and mail in the form. Applications MUST be filled out completely for consideration!
We have reference forms for potential adopters to give to their references, however, the references may choose to write a letter instead and either mail, fax, email or call in their references.
Photos may be submitted via email, mail or brought with the potential adopter.
There is a $25.00 Application Fee, which includes a one year membership. There is no Application Fee required if you are a current member. Memberships can be filled out online or sent to our main office by mail. Membership dues may be paid online using PayPal or a check or money order via mail.
Adopters will be notified by email, mail, or phone when their Adoption Application has been processed. If you have not heard back from an Paws Ranch Equine Rescue Staff Member within 5 business days of receiving your information being submitted for approval, please contact the main office for more details 800-580-6504
PRERI does not discriminate based on the applicant's gender, race, or age (however only applications sent in by Adults (18 years +) will be processed)
Choosing a Horse
Choosing the right horse for you and your family is a big decision, Paws Ranch Equine Rescue volunteers and staff understands this, so we will help guide adopters and suggest horses that we believe will be an asset to you, your family, and the purpose you intend to use the horse for. Don’t choose a horse for it’s color! Once an Adopter has an Approved Application on file, it is good for 2 years. The Adopter may choose an adoptable horse from Paws Ranch.
Adopting a Horse
Adoptions are done on a first come, first serve basis. Only adopters with an Approved Application will be considered! Each horse has an adoption fee associated with the horse. Adoption Fees can be located on the Available Horse pages on our websites. If you have questions about the Adoption Fee of a particular horse, please contact the facility manager.
Each Adopter must sign an Adoption Agreement for each horse they adopt and follow the policies stated in the Adoption Agreement. The Adoption Agreement is designed to protect the horse and prevent it from being placed in a bad situation.
You need to have a barn, run in shed or lean-to, safe and proper fencing (board or horse wire mesh is appropriate--not barbed wire), and adequate water/feed supply (including a way to keep water from freezing in the winter) is required. An on-site visit will be made by a PRERI representative before an application is approved.
Already own a horse or other equine, respectively, preferably at least five years or Attend a PRERI Safety and Beginning Horsemanship Clinic and Maintain the Horse(s) on your own property where you reside, with at least five acres
After a horse is adopted, the adopter has 30 days to "test ride" the horse, if for any reason the adopter decides that the horse isn't going to work out the adopter may bring the horse back and then take up to 6 months to find a horse to replace the original horse with. If the new horse's adoption fee is greater than the previous horse, the adopter must pay the difference. If the adoption fee is lower than the previous horse, the adopter can choose a second horse that fits that adoption fee, however if they do not want a second horse Paws Ranch Equine Rescue cannot refund any money as Adoption Fees are considered donations.
PRERI cannot guarantee any horse(s) as to its disposition or training. Horses which come into our custody are usually neglected or abused or young and untrained. Due to their usually debilitated condition, temperament generally changes with proper care. PRERI will include with each adoption a complete file on the animal(s), which will explain how the animal came to our farm, what veterinary care the animal received while it was here and what the staff has personally noticed about the animal's disposition and training.
Selling or Giving Away Adopted Horses
Horses adopted from Paws Ranch Equine Rescue MAY NOT under any circumstances be SOLD or GIVEN AWAY. Call PRERI and we will re-home your horse.
Selling/Giving Away Adopted Horses violates the Adoption Agreement and violators will be prosecuted.
Returning Adopted Horses
If for any reason the adopter does not want or need the adopted horse, it MUST be returned to Paws Ranch Equine Rescue. We ask that adopters fill out our Adopted Animal Relinquish Form, so that we can get an idea of the horse's resent vaccinations, deworming, and information as to why the horse needs to be returned.
After a horse is adopted, the adopter has 30 days to "test drive" the horse, if for any reason the adopter decides that the horse isn't going to work out the adopter may bring the horse back and then take up to 6 months to find a horse to replace the original horse with. If the new horse's adoption fee is greater than the previous horse, the adopter must pay the difference. If the adoption fee is lower than the previous horse, the adopter can choose a second horse that fits that adoption fee, however if they do not want a second horse Paws Ranch Equine Rescue cannot refund any money as Adoption Fees are considered donations.
Breeding Adopted Horses
Any Equine (Horse, Pony, Mule, Donkey, etc.) adopted from Paws Ranch Equine Rescue may not be bred intentionally for any reason!
Adopted Horses that Foal
Foals born to horses adopted from Paws Ranch Equine Rescue are automatically entered into our program. The adopter may choose to 1) keep the foal and sign an Adoption Agreement for the foal or 2) return the foal to Paws Ranch Equine Rescue once the foal is weaned (4-6 months of age). Foals returned to Paws Ranch Equine Rescue will be assessed and put up for adoption. Under no circumstance can the adopter SELL a foal produced from Paws Ranch Equine Rescue animal!
Transferring Adoptions
Even though we do not allow Adopters to sell Adopted Horses, we will however agree to transfer adoptions, under the following circumstances:
The New Adopter MUST be a member of Paws Ranch Equine Rescue, fully complete our Adoption/Foster Application, submit 2 personal references, a veterinary reference, and photos of the facility where the horse will be kept as well as a farm check, just as the original adopter had done.
The New Adopter MUST sign a new Adoption Agreement for the horse being transferred.
The only fee Paws Ranch Equine Rescue associates with the transferred horse is the Membership dues, any money that is transferred between the old adopter and new adopter is between those two parties.
Adopted Horses that Die or Need to be Humanely Euthanized
We understand that horses do not live forever and that they die from natural causes and old age. We also understand that if a horse is suffering it needs to be humanely euthanized. Please make sure that you inform a Paws Ranch Equine Rescue staff member if your Adopted Horse has died or has been euthanized, so that they can update the horse's file as appropriate. If possible, please have your veterinarian send a statement or letter to our offices verifying the horse's death or euthanasia.
Horse Inspections
As stated in the Adoption Agreement, Paws Ranch Equine Rescue makes random horse inspections. Horses that PRERI has not received Annual Health Reports for are first on the list of consideration for random inspections. If the PRERI Investigator can see the horse from the road and visually confirm that the horse appears in good health and condition they will continue on their way. If not, the investigator may approach the residence to discuss the adopted horse's condition with the adopter and ask to examine the horse.
Please make sure that you inform Paws Ranch Equine Rescue if you are moving the horse from one barn to another. It is not necessary to call for every show, event, trail ride, etc. however if an adopted horse is not found at the residence stated in the adopters Application, PRERI will attempt to contact the adopters to locate the horse's whereabouts. After every attempt is made to contact the adopter and the horse if it is still nowhere to be found, PRERI will assume that the adopter has violated the Adoption Agreement and may decide to prosecute.
Boarding Your Adopted Horse
Paws Ranch Equine Rescue allow adopters to board their horses at boarding facilities. We actually find this very helpful for first time horse owners because of the fact that there are several seasoned horse owners always around to ask questions and to help out. Check your local tack and feed stores as well at 4-H families and leaders for suggestions on reputable boarding facilities in your area!
