Gunnison Correctional Facility begins Monthly Wild Horse Adoptions
Public invited to adopt a horse or burro

Contact:  Gus Warr (801)539-4057, Lisa Reid (435) 743-3128

Salt Lake City, Utah—April 24, 2008—On May 6, the Central Utah Correctional Facility and the Bureau of Land Management will host their first adoption of wild horses at the Central Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison.  Geldings and mares, two and three years old, saddle-started and halter-started yearlings and other two-year olds will be available for public adoption.  Admission is free, public is invited to attend, whether adopting or not.

 “This is the first time that the Central Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison will allow visitors to actually enter into the facility to adopt,” said BLM’s Utah Wild Horse and Burro Program Lead Gus Warr. “We usually take horses the inmates have worked with to BLM satellite adoptions across the state.  We’re excited to now allow the public access to wild horses inside the Gunnison facility.  We would like to encourage potential adopters and curious a-like to make the short trip to Gunnison and see what time and dedication can do for a wild horse.”

The horses will be first offered through an oral bidding process before being offered on a first come, first served basis at $125.00.  Facility gates will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Correction officers search vehicles and property as a condition of entering and exiting, to ensure safety and to look for prohibited items.  Some items such as tobacco and pepper spray are considered contraband inside the prison.  Other prohibited items include, but are not limited to, alcohol, explosives, poisons, weapons, dogs and controlled substances.  Each individual 16 years of age and older will be asked to provide photo identification, a driver license or other official identification.  All minors must be accompanied by an adult.

To qualify to adopt, an individual must be at least 18 years old, parents or guardians may adopt in their stead. Adopters must have adequate facilities to provide humane care for the number of animals adopted.   Individuals who have been convicted of inhumane treatment of animals may not adopt.

All adopters will receive an up- to- date health record on any adopted horses to begin health regimens with their own veterinarian.  All adoptable animals have received a complete set of inoculations for all major equine diseases, including, West Nile virus and a current Coggins blood test to assure they do not have Equine Infectious Anemia.

Walk-ups are welcome the day of the adoption and applications can be approved onsite.  Additional information and adoption applications can be found on the web at http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/wild_horse_and_burro.html, or please call 435-528-6063, 801-539-4057, or, 866-4MUSTANGS.   Stock trailers with side-swinging gates are preferred.  Drop ramps are not acceptable.  Individuals can bring a halter and a lead rope appropriate for the size of horse adopted to be haltered before loaded. The Central Utah Correctional Facility is located at 255 E. 300 N., Gunnison, Utah.