National Wild Horse Adoption Day

Wild Horse Adoption Photography Contest Names Grand Prize Winners and Finalists

Calendar to be produced in 2011

Fort Worth, Texas — Three photographers have earned the winning spot for the Wild Horse Adoption Awareness photography contest, launched earlier in the year.

In the Professional category, Linda Unger from Houston, Texas received $250 as the grand prize winner for her photo of a mustang showing the unmistakable bond between man and horse.  She also had an additional photo that qualified in the Top 10. Kyrstle Pehrson from Buhl, Idaho received a grand prize of $150 for the amateur category with a stunning picture of two wild mustangs fighting on the prairie.  Jennifer Deden from Centerville, Texas received the $100 grand prize for the youth category with an adorable photograph of two mustangs in the holding pen waiting to be adopted.

More than 70 professional and amateur photographers from across the United States entered the contest and captured the beauty of the American mustang in the wild or as an adopted animal. Nearly 250 photographs were examined and judged as each contestant was allowed up to 5 photos to submit. Five of the industry’s leading photographers served as judges for the competition including, Peri Hughes, owner of Barron Photografix, Ltd. in Fort Worth, Texas; Ross Hecox, senior editor for Western Horseman magazine in Fort Worth, Texas; Darrell Dodds publisher for Western Horseman; Lesli Groves of Weatherford, Texas and author of “How to Capture the Perfect Equine Image,” and Cyndi Planck, a professional photographer from Beaverton, Oregon.

Grand Prize winners and finalists in each category will receive the 16-month 2011-2012 National Wild Horse Adoption Awareness Calendar and a certificate recognizing their achievement. All finalist photographs will appear in the calendar on a single panel with the photographer’s name, city, state, and age, if appropriate.

Winning and finalist images can be viewed by going to adoptawildhorse.com.

About National Wild Horse Adoption Awareness

National Wild Horse Adoption Awareness was formed to encourage the American public to consider and act on the adoption of a wild horse or burro. About 33,700 mustangs roam federal lands across the West. In order to manage the herds and maintain both land and herd health, the Bureau of Land Management oversees the adoption of wild horses and burros through public adoptions held throughout the United States. Since 1973, more than 220,000 wild horses and burros have been adopted.

The groups supporting National Wild Horse Adoption Day, in addition to the BLM, include Wild Horses 4 Ever, the American Horse Protection Association, the Mustang Heritage Foundation and The Humane Society of the United States. To learn more, go to adoptawildhorse.com.

“Day” to be expanded to include events and adoption

Fort Worth, Tex – Organizers of National Wild Horse Adoption Day are looking to 2010 after the successful events of 2009 worked to place 499 wild horses in homes throughout the United States.

“We are extremely pleased with the outcome of the first National Wild Horse Adoption Day,” said spokesperson Julie Bryant. “The ‘day’ actually stretched into more than two months of activities focused on raising awareness about wild horse adoption and the need to find homes for animals currently being cared for in Bureau of Land Management holding facilities.”

Bryant said that, according to government figures, the placement of the 499 horses means a savings of nearly $5 million to tax payers for the lifetime care of each horse – approximately $10,000. She continued saying that in 2010 wild horse enthusiasts can look forward to several events taking place throughout 2010 focused on raising awareness.

“The focus on wild horse adoption is an awareness campaign that really goes beyond a single point in time,” she said, “although the group will likely continue to have a ‘high point’ for each year.”

The groups supporting National Wild Horse Adoption Day, in addition to the BLM, include Wild Horses 4 Ever, the American Horse Protection Association, the Mustang Heritage Foundation and The Humane Society of the United States.

“Certainly, a private group being able to assist in lowering government spending is a coup,” said Bryant. “However, more importantly, these wild horses have found their way into homes where people will see to their needs on an individual daily basis.”

Nearly 33,000 mustangs roam federal lands across the West. In order to manage the herds and maintain both land and herd health, the Bureau of Land Management oversees the adoption of wild horses and burros through public adoptions held throughout the United States. Since 1973, more than 220,000 wild horses and burros have been adopted.

Horses between the ages of 1 and 6 years old are typically selected from the herds for adoption, but a horse of any age can fit into the right farm or ranch.  For many mustang adopters, having the opportunity to work with a horse or burro with a storied past and an unconventional upbringing brings a unique and special element to their relationship.

For more information regarding the National Wild Horse Adoption Initiative, call 512.869.3225 or go to adoptawildhorse.com.

Fort Worth, Texas, September 28 – A resolution supporting an annual National Wild Horse Adoption Day passed both houses of Congress late last week as events promoting National Wild Horse Adoption Day September 26 were set to get underway.

Introduced in the Senate by Senator Harry Reid D-NV and in the House by Congresswoman Dina Titus D-NV, the resolution recognizes the iconic role the wild horse plays in American history and encourages Americans to adopt a wild horse or burro as a way of honoring the historic and pioneering spirit of the American West.

More than 30 events promoting National Wild Horse Adoption Day have been held across the country since July and nearly 400 horses have been placed in homes through September 26. An additional 100 horses are expected to be adopted at events to be held through October.

Wild horse and humane animal advocacy groups from across the nation joined forces to establish the first National Wild Horse Adoption Day. The groups supporting National Wild Horse Adoption Day, in addition to the BLM, include Wild Horses 4 Ever, the American Horse Protection Association, the Mustang Heritage Foundation and The Humane Society of the United States.

“The first National Wild Horse Adoption Day has been a tremendous success,” said NWHAD Coordinator Julie Bryant. “Even with a still uncertain economy, a caring public has given more than 400 horses a new home and thousands of Americans took the time to visit an adoption location to learn more about adoption and issues surrounding the wild horse population.”

Nearly 33,000 mustangs roam federal lands across the West. In order to manage the herds and maintain both land and herd health, the Bureau of Land Management oversees the adoption of wild horses and burros through public adoptions held throughout the United States. Since 1973, more than 220,000 wild horses and burros have been adopted.

The groups are working together to educate Americans about wild horse issues while promoting adoption of BLM wild horses through adoption events, training programs and motivational experiences.

For more information on events go to nationalwildhorseadoptionday.org or call 817-559-5650.

For Immediate Release,
September 10, 2009

Contact:
Fran Ackley 719-269-8511
Vanessa Delgado 303-239-3681

CANON CITY, Colo. – The Colorado Bureau of Land Management is offering up
to 2,000 mustangs for adoption as part of National Wild Horse Adoption Day,
a joint effort with humane animal advocacy groups.

The adoption, encouraging the American public to adopt a wild horse, takes
place in Colorado at the Canon City Wild Horse Inmate Program on Sept. 18.
Five of the mustangs, dubbed Colorado’s Lucky Flush, were gathered from the
Jackson Mountain herd management area in Nevada in 2007.

All five of those horses were halter trained by inmates and are ready for
adoption. Colorado’s Lucky Flush are three or four years old and named
after counties in northern Nevada:  Churchill, Pershing, Lander, Elko, and
Humboldt.  The adoption fee for each mustang has been lowered to $125 for
this event. Normally, saddle and halter trained animals run up to $1,025.

“The Jackson Mountain herd was gathered because the population exceeded the
land’s ability to support the horses on the range.  The gather was
necessary in order to prevent further declines in animal and rangeland
health,” Fran Ackley, BLM Colorado horse lead, said.  “Many of the horses
from the Jackson Mountain area are still in holding facilities and awaiting
adoption.”

Nearly 37,000 mustangs and burros roam federal lands across the West,
approximately 10,000 more than the land can support with existing uses. In
order to manage the herds and maintain both land and herd health, the BLM
oversees the adoption of wild horses and burros held throughout the United
States.  Since 1973, more than 220,000 wild horses and burros have been
adopted.

Prospective adopters must be approved and schedule an appointment by
Tuesday, Sept. 15.  For photos of Colorado’s Lucky Flush as well as other
adoption information, go to

http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/BLM_Programs/wild_horse_and_burro/colorado_wh_b_national.html

.  Information is also available by calling the BLM in Canon City at
719.269.8539.

National Wild Horse Adoption Day Sites Announced
Wild Horses Available for Adoption Nationwide September 26

Fort Worth, Texas, July 2 – More than 25 locations across the United States will host wild horse adoptions September 26, the date of the first National Wild Horse Adoption Day in the United States. A goal of 1,000 adoptions has been set for the first National Wild Horse Adoption Day with events taking place in 19 states across the country.

Nearly 33,000 mustangs roam federal lands across the West. In order to manage the herds and maintain both land and herd health, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) oversees the adoption of wild horses and burros through public adoptions held throughout the United States. Since 1973, more than 220,000 wild horses and burros have been adopted.

Horses between the ages of 1 and 6 years old are typically selected from the herds for adoption, but a horse of any age can fit into the right farm or ranch.  For many mustang adopters, having the opportunity to work with a horse or burro with a storied past and an unconventional upbringing brings a unique and special element to their relationship.

The groups supporting National Wild Horse Adoption Day, in addition to the BLM, include Wild Horses 4 Ever, the American Horse Protection Association, the Mustang Heritage Foundation and The Humane Society of the United States.

The groups are working together to educate Americans about wild horse issues while promoting adoption of BLM wild horses through adoption events, training programs and motivational experiences.

“In actuality, every day is adoption day in the United States, but National Wild Horse Adoption Day is designed to bring attention to the need for adoption to the American public, and especially those who have an interest in horse ownership,” said Julie Bryant, event coordinator. “BLM facilities across the nation offer wild horses for adoption on a regular basis with adoption fees starting at $125.  With National Wild Horse Adoption Day, the BLM along with trainers and other mustang advocates, will be able to offer both saddle trained and halter trained animals.”

The goal of 1,000 horses adopted through a National Adoption Day program could create a savings of more than $1,500,000 for the BLM and the American taxpayer.

State BLM offices, as well as rescue centers, wild horse groups, and volunteers will be engaged in activities leading up to and on September 26 to promote an understanding of and interest in opening new homing opportunities to these magnificent animals.

Activities will not only include adoptions, but will also include educational events and wild horse expos. More than 25 events will take place across the country in support of national wild horse adoption day, and other events may apply to be included on the calendar through the event web site at nationalwildhorseadoptionday.org.

For more information on events or how to volunteer, go to nationalwildhorseadoptionday.org or call 817-559-5650.

National Wild Horse Adoption Day Launches Web Site
Web Site provides information and insight into needs of wild horses

Fort Worth, Texas, April 1 – The National Wild Horse Adoption Day web site is now live. Located at nationalwildhorseadoptionday.org or adoptawildhorse.com, wild horse enthusiasts and supporters will be able to keep pace with the activities slated for September 26 and fine out how they can get involved. A goal of 1,000 adoptions has been set for the first National Wild Horse Adoption Day.

The attractive and easy-to-navigate site provides information on adoption, as well as where adoption events will be held leading to and on September 26. Current adopters will also have the opportunity to upload their adoption stories and share how the adoption of a wild horse has impacted their lives.

A fun and interactive element of the site is the youth section where youth age 18 and under can take part in an essay contest naming the National Wild Horse Adoption Day mascot, as well as an area for parents and teachers to download illustrations of the mascot for coloring.

Nearly 33,000 mustangs roam federal lands across the West. In order to manage the herds and maintain both land and herd health, the Bureau of Land Management oversees the adoption of wild horses and burros through public adoptions held throughout the United States. Since 1973, more than 220,000 wild horses and burros have been adopted.

Horses between the ages of one and 6 years old are typically selected from the herds for adoption, but a horse of any age can fit into the right farm or ranch.  For many mustang adopters, having the opportunity to work with a horse or burro with a storied past and an unconventional upbringing brings a unique and special element to their relationship.

‘People will begin to see more information about National Wild Horse Adoption Day in major horse industry magazines beginning in June,” said NWHAD event coordinator Angie Grizzell. “But the web site is going to be their first point of information and while resources will being added constantly, much of what is available on the site today will help people gain a perspective of what National Wild Horse Adoption Day is all about.”

The groups supporting National Wild Horse Adoption Day, in addition to the BLM, include Wild Horses 4 Ever, the American Horse Protection Association, the Mustang Heritage Foundation and The Humane Society of the United States.

State BLM offices, as well as rescue centers, wild horse groups, and volunteers will be engaged in activities leading up to and on September 26 to promote an understanding of and interest in opening new homing opportunities to these magnificent animals.

Activities will not only include adoptions, but will also include educational events and wild horse expos. More than 65 events are slated to take place across the country in support of national wild horse adoption day, and other events may apply to be included on the calendar through the event web site at nationalwildhorseadoptionday.org.

For more information on events or how to volunteer, go to nationalwildhorseadoptionday.org or contact coordinating director Angie Grizzell at angie@nationalwildhorseadoptionday.org or by calling 817-559-5650.

Wild horse and humane animal advocacy groups from across the nation are joining forces for a single cause: to encourage the American public to consider and act on the adoption of a wild horse or burro. A goal of 1,000 adoptions has been set for the first National Wild Horse Adoption Day to be held September 26, 2009.

Nearly 33,000 mustangs roam federal lands across the West. In order to manage the herds and maintain both land and herd health, the Bureau of Land Management oversees the adoption of wild horses and burros through public adoptions held throughout the United States. Since 1973, more than 220,000 wild horses and burros have been adopted.

Horses between the ages of 1 and 6 years old are typically selected from the herds for adoption, but a horse of any age can fit into the right farm or ranch. For many mustang adopters, having the opportunity to work with a horse or burro with an intriguing past and an unconventional upbringing brings a unique and special element to their relationship.

The groups supporting National Wild Horse Adoption Day, in addition to the BLM, include Wild Horses 4 Ever, the American Horse Protection Association, the Mustang Heritage Foundation and The Humane Society of the United States.

The groups are working together to educate Americans about wild horse issues while promoting adoption of BLM wild horses through adoption events, training programs and motivational experiences, says spokesperson Jerry Reynoldson.

The goal of 1,000 horses adopted through a National Adoption Day program could create a savings of more than $1,500,000 for the BLM and the American taxpayer.

State BLM offices, as well as wild horse groups, rescue centers, and volunteers will be engaged in activities leading up to and on September 26 to promote an understanding of and interest in opening new homing opportunities to these magnificent animals.

Activities will not only include adoptions, but will also include educational events and wild horse expos. For more information on events or how to volunteer, go to contact coordinating director Angie Grizzell at 817-559-5650 or angie@nationalwildhorseadoptionday.org.

September 26 To Mark 1,000 Horse and Burro Adoption Goal

Fort Worth, Texas, April 27 – A goal of 1,000 adoptions has been set for the first National Wild Horse Adoption Day to be held September 26, 2009,
and potential adopters have many options from which choose, including one that will pay $500 to adopters of older horses.

The offer is designed to help defray the initial cost of keeping a horse. Payment is made after one year when adopters receive title to the animal.

This adoption incentive is being offered on a trial basis in the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)-New Mexico region only (which also includes Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas). The incentive is designed to increase the number of mature horses (4-10 years old) placed into private ownership through adoption. This, in turn, can reduce the number of older horses that BLM must care for at considerable taxpayer expense in contracted pasture facilities, sometimes referred to as long-term holding. If successful, this program could reduce the pressure on BLM to sell or euthanize excess horses, and it could free up critical resources needed for on-the-range management.

Under this program, all standard adoption rules and fees apply. At the end of one year, adopters return the title application mailed to them by the BLM along with the
incentive voucher received at the time of adoption. The only additional requirement to receive payment is that a licensed veterinarian must attest to the animal’s fitness on your completed title application. Upon receipt of those items, a $500 check and title to the animal will be provided.

If for some reason you must relinquish the animal within one year, meaning you return it to the BLM, the allowance cannot be paid. The same is true if the animal dies before title is issued.

Nearly 33,000 mustangs roam federal lands across the West. In order to manage the herds and maintain both land and herd health, the Bureau of Land Management oversees the adoption of wild horses and burros through public adoptions held throughout the United States. Since 1973, more than 220,000 wild horses and burros have been adopted.

“We’re encouraging people to adopt now even though we would like to see a major increase in adoptions leading to the week prior to September 26 and will have a number of events dedicated to the goal of 1,000 adoptions” said spokesperson Jerry Reynoldson. “There are several options to adopting a wild horse interested people can look to with all of them available through the BLM web site. Adopters can go to BLM holding facilities, satellite adoptions across the country or to events like the Extreme Mustang Makeover or to adoptions conducted by some of the prisons where gentled horses are available.”

Horses between the ages of one and six years old are typically selected from the herds for adoption, but a horse of any age can fit into the right farm or ranch.
For many mustang adopters, having the opportunity to work with a horse or burro with a storied past and an unconventional upbringing brings a unique and special element to their relationship.

The groups supporting National Wild Horse Adoption Day, in addition to the BLM, include Wild Horses 4 Ever, the American Horse Protection Association, the Mustang Heritage Foundation and The Humane Society of the United States.

The goal of 1,000 horses adopted through a National Adoption Day program could create a savings of more than $1,500,000 for the BLM and the American taxpayer.

State BLM offices, as well as rescue centers, wild horse groups, and volunteers will be engaged in activities leading up to and on September 26 to promote an understanding of and interest in opening new homing opportunities to these magnificent animals.

Activities will not only include adoptions, but will also include educational events and wild horse expos. More than 65 events will take place across the country in support
of national wild horse adoption day, and other events may apply to be included on the calendar through the event web site at nationalwildhorseadoptionday.org.

For more information on events or how to volunteer, go to nationalwildhorseadoptionday.org or contact coordinating director Angie Grizzell at 817-559-5650. For information on available adoptions, go to wildhorseandburro.blm.gov or call 866-4MUSTANGS.

Wild Horse Advocates Set 1,000 Horse and Burro Adoption Goal

Fort Worth, Texas, April 1 – Wild horse and humane animal advocacy groups from across the nation are joining forces for a single cause: to encourage the American public to consider and act on the adoption of a wild horse or burro. A goal of 1,000 adoptions has been set for the first National Wild Horse Adoption Day to be held September 26, 2009.

Nearly 33,000 mustangs roam federal lands across the West. In order to manage the herds and maintain both land and herd health, the Bureau of Land Management oversees the adoption of wild horses and burros through public adoptions held throughout the United States. Since 1973, more than 220,000 wild horses and burros have been adopted.

Horses between the ages of 3 and 6 years old are typically selected from the herds for adoption, but a horse of any age can fit into the right farm or ranch. For many mustang adopters, having the opportunity to work with a horse or burro with a storied past and an unconventional upbringing brings a unique and special element to their relationship.

The groups supporting National Wild Horse Adoption Day, in addition to the BLM, include Wild Horses 4 Ever, the American Horse Protection Association, the Mustang Heritage Foundation and The Humane Society of the United States.

The groups are working together to educate Americans about wild horse issues while promoting adoption of BLM wild horses through adoption events, training programs and motivational experiences, says spokesperson Jerry Reynoldson.

“The federal government, wild horse advocates, cattle ranchers and the taxpayers all agree that the current system of relying on a flat adoption market to sustain BLM mustang removal programs is an increasing drain on federal resources,” he said. “While there is a difference of opinion on the appropriate numbers of animals removed, it is clear that there is an immediate need for a comprehensive, sophisticated, well managed and successful marketing and adoption program that will quickly place the surplus numbers of horses in holding facilities into qualified, adoptive homes.

“The day a horseman or woman brings a mustang into their lives, is one they will remember forever. These iconic symbols of our past and future bring a dimension to any horse lovers experience that will help them grow and deepen their understanding, skill and commitment to the special relationship we all have experienced with these magnificent animals.”

The goal of 1,000 horses adopted through a National Adoption Day program could create a savings of more than $1,500,000 for the BLM and the American taxpayer.

State BLM offices, as well as rescue centers, wild horse groups, and volunteers will be engaged in activities leading up to and on September 26 to promote an understanding of and interest in opening new homing opportunities to these magnificent animals.

Activities will not only include adoptions, but will also include educational events and wild horse expos. More than 65 events will take place across the country in support of national wild horse adoption day, and other events may apply to be included on the calendar through the event web site at nationalwildhorseadoptionday.org.

For more information on events or how to volunteer, go to nationalwildhorseadoptionday.org or contact coordinating director Angie Grizzell at 817-559-5650.