For Release: October 19, 2005
Contact: Doran Sanchez, (951) 697-5220; E-MAIL: dasanche@ca.blm.gov
CA-CDD-06-08

BLM Special Holiday 1-Day Wild Horse and Burro Adoption Highlights Free Delivery

The holiday season truly is the time for giving . . . and perhaps this holiday . . . you may consider giving a very special wild mustang or burro a good home.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will offer more than 200 wild horses and burros to qualified adopters during a very special holiday, 1-day adoption on November 19 at its regional corral facility located on the Randsburg Wash Road off Highway 178, 4 ½ miles east of Ridgecrest, California.

The adoption will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and will be conducted on a first come, first served basis. The adoption fee is $125 per animal, which may be paid by cash, check or credit card.

To make this adoption even more special, the BLM also will offer four to six halter-gentled mustangs and one, halter-gentled, molly mule yearling for adoption. The animals will be adopted by silent competitive bid. The minimum big is $125 animal.

And . . . to make this adoption really special, the BLM will provide free home delivery within 150 miles of the facility for all animals adopted only during this special event . . . Happy Holidays!

The animals were gathered from public lands in California and Nevada as a result of overpopulation, drought, and loss of habitat caused by wildfires. They're vaccinated, wormed, and healthy . . . but homeless . . . and looking for someone - possibly you - to give them a good home.

Individuals must be at least 18 years old 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 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 5 feet high for burros and horses under 18 months of age, and 6 feet high for horses 18 months and older. Corrals must be constructed of pole, pipe, or plank. Barbed wire is not allowed in stalls or corrals. The corral also must contain a 2-sided structure to provide shelter for the animal.

The process is called an "adoption" because BLM retains title to the animal for one year after the adoption. During this time, adopters cannot sell their adopted animal. More than 205,000 animals have been placed in private homes since the Adopt-A-Horse or Burro Program began in 1973.

For more information about this special 1-day 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. Saturday morning provides good opportunities to interview and photograph adopters with their newfound friend(s). For more information contact Doran Sanchez at (951) 697-5220.