Adoption Information

Federal protection and a lack of natural predators have resulted in thriving wild horse and burro populations that grow in number each year. The BLM monitors rangelands and wild horse and burro herds to determine the number of animals, including livestock and wildlife, that the land can support. Each year, the BLM gathers excess wild horses and burros from areas where vegetation and water could become scarce if too many animals use the area.

These excess animals are offered for adoption to qualified people through the BLM’s Adopt a Wild Horse or Burro program. After caring for an animal for one year, the adopter is eligible to receive title, or ownership, from the Federal government. While the challenge of adopting out enough animals is greater than ever, the program is a popular one. In fact, the BLM has placed nearly 225,000 wild horses and burros into private care since 1971.

For more information on BLM adoptions, please visit the adoption schedule. To apply to adopt a wild horse or burro on-line, please go to the BLM's adoption application.  If you are interested in adopting directly from one of the BLM's holding facilities, please visit the agency's facilities page.

Can't adopt but still want to help?  The BLM's Wild Horse and Burro Program receives thousands of calls from people that cannot adopt but still want to help the mustangs and burros.  You can volunteer, serve on advisory committees, and donate funds to assist wild horses and burros.  Click here for more information.