Northeastern States District’s new wild horse and burro adoption process is a success

The BLM Eastern States Northeastern States District (NSD), located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has adapted wild horse and burro adoption and sale events to make them by-appointment only in order to minimize public gatherings during the pandemic. The by-appointment adoption and sale events have proven to be a success. BLM placed 336 animals over the six events held in 2021.  

The most recent adoption and sale event, held in West Bend, Wisconsin in 2021, successfully placed a total of 67 animals into private care with no animals returned to the BLM holding facility.

The NSD informed local media outlets that the wild horse and burro events would be conducted by-appointment only. The by-appointment only adoption process has been cost effective because the BLM used social media platforms and coordination with local media outlets to get the word out about the adoption and sale events. This new strategy has saved BLM operations an estimate of nearly $30,000 in wild horse and burro advertising in comparison to last fiscal year when the NSD used traditional print and radio advertising.

Utilizing the new platform in scheduling appointments better prepares and educates our customers in bringing their animal home. Because of the success of the appointments, matching interested and approved adopters with animals, the NSD is considering continuing to use this method in the future. 

Conducting the adoptions and sales placement events by-appointment-only has been a successful change to the wild horse and burro program. Congratulations to the NSD wild horse and burro staff for a great year!