Implementation of New Wild Horse and Burro Authority as Directed by Congress

The Bureau of Land Management is in the process of implementing legislation recently passed by Congress. The legislation directs the BLM to offer for sale those wild horses and burros that are more than 10 years old or have been unsuccessfully offered for adoption at least three times. We estimate that there are about 8,400 animals affected by this new law.

The BLM is working expeditiously to carry out the intent of Congress under the new law. We are also committed to our core mission of finding homes for these animals or alternative long-term care. We are appealing to interested groups, organizations and their membership, as well as the general public, to help us in this effort of finding homes for these animals.

In our efforts to place affected wild horses and burros in good care, we have been contacting various groups and organizations that may be interested in acquiring them. These contacts include wild horse and burro advocacy groups, Indian Tribes, and humane organizations. We are appealing to communities and the general public for help in finding homes for these animals as we work to meet the challenges we face in implementing the new law.

The BLM remains totally committed to its wild horse and burro adoption program, which was unchanged by the new law and will be kept separate from the new sale authority contained in the new legislation. Because these two programs are separate and different, the BLM will not be offering any animals for sale at its scheduled adoptions.

If you are interested in buying a wild horse or burro, or if you have any questions about the BLM’s new sale authority, please call us toll-free at: 1-800-710-7597, or e-mail us at: wildhorse@blm.gov.

For more information, please read:

• Fact Sheet
• Questions & Answers