NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: June 9, 2004
Contact: Doran Sanchez (909) 697-5220; E-MAIL: Doran_Sanchez@ca.blm.gov
CA-CDD-04-53

Wild Mustang and Burro Adoption Returns to Thousand Oaks

Wild Mustangs and burros are living symbols of America's wild West, and to make this Independence Day celebration truly special qualified adopters will have the opportunity to adopt one of these magnificent animals. On July 17-18 approximately 80 wild Mustangs and 20 wild burros will be available for adoption at the Conejo Creek Equestrian Park in Thousand Oaks through the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Adopt-A-Horse or Burro Program.

The animals will arrive at Conejo Creek around noon on Friday, July 16. Potential adopters may view the animals Friday afternoon and Saturday beginning at 7 a.m. BLM staff will approve adoption applications Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

The animals were gathered from public lands in California and Nevada. BLM monitors the herds and removes animals when they begin to over populate their herd area. The removals ensure the rangelands will remain healthy for the remaining wild horses and burros, native wildlife, and permitted livestock.

BLM also has been conducting ongoing emergency gathers because drought and wildfires has destroyed thousands of acres of wild horse and burro habitat. As a result, BLM has now has thousands of animals that need a good home.

The adoption will be conducted by silent competitive bid from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday morning only, which provides all adopters an equal opportunity to adopt the animal of their choice. Adopters will receive a bidder number once their application is approved, which they must have to participate in the competitive bid portion of the adoption.

The minimum fee for the competitive bid will start at $125 per animal. Animals not selected during the competitive bid will be available for adoption on a first come, first served basis for the remainder of Saturday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday for $125 per animal. Adoption fees may be paid by cash, check, or credit card. The fees are used to help defray the cost of gathering and preparing the animals for adoption.

The adoption will also feature free horse gentling and training demonstrations by Phil West from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. After each gentling demonstration, the Mustang will be offered for adoption. West, a deputy sheriff with the Mono County Sheriff's Department, has adopted several Mustangs during the past ten years and has been useing Abby, his 11-year-old Mustang, on Mounted Patrol for eight years.

Mustangs make excellent riding stock, and properly trained some adopted Mustangs have become national champions in dressage, snaffle bit competitions, trail endurance, and jumping. BLM wranglers and personnel will be available to answer questions and help adopters select their animals.

Individuals must be at least 18 years old, a resident of the United States, and have no convictions for inhumane treatment of animals. Adopters also must have adequate facilities, the financial means to care for the animal(s), and should have some experience training or raising a horse or burro. Qualified individuals with proper facilities may adopt up to four animals.

Newly adopted wild horses or burros must be kept in an enclosed corral with a minimum area of 400 square feet (20' x 20' or larger) per animal. Corral fences must be at least 4 2 feet high for burros and 6 feet high for ungentled horses. Horses under 18 months of age may be kept in corrals with fences 5 feet high. Fences should be of pole, pipe, or plank construction. Barbed wire is not allowed in stalls or corrals. The corral also must contain a structure to provide shelter for the animal.

Adopters should bring a nylon web halter and 20-foot cotton lead rope for each animal. A stock trailer will be required to transport the animal(s). Drop ramp trailers will not be allowed. The wranglers will load the animals into the trailers. Private carriers also will be available to help adopters transport their newly adopted animal(s) home if needed.

The process is called an "adoption" because BLM retains title to the animal for one year after the adoption. During the year, a BLM or designated representative will visit each adopter to ensure the animal is being cared for and has a good home. During this time, adopters cannot sell their adopted animal. Adopters must notify BLM if the animal is moved.

After the first year, adopters must apply for title. BLM will pass title of the animal if all the stipulations of the adoption agreement have been met. The animal becomes the private property of the adopter only after BLM transfers title, which completes the adoption process. More than 210,000 animals have been placed in private homes since the Adopt-A-Horse or Burro Program began in 1973.

The Conejo Creek Equestrian Park is located at 1300 Aveneda de los Flores in Thousand Oaks, off the 23 Freeway. Follow the BLM signs at the park entrance to the adoption site.

For general information about the adoption or the Bureau's Adopt-A-Horse or Burro Program contact BLM at (800) 951-8720.

-BLM-

NOTE TO EDITORS: Photographers and reporters are welcome to attend the adoption anytime. We will deliver the animals about noon on Friday, June 16, which generally provides excellent photo opportunities. Or, if you would prefer, come Saturday and Sunday morning and interview and photograph adopters with their newfound friend(s). For additional media information contact Doran Sanchez at (909) 697-5220.

visit our website at www.ca.blm.gov

California Desert District Office - 22835 Calle San Juan De Los Lagos, Moreno Valley, California - (909) 697-5220