News Release

For Release:  July 2, 2008                                                                 
Contact:  Stephen Razo 951-697-5217; email: srazo@ca.blm.gov
CA-CDD-08-56

Wild Horses and Burros Available for Adoption in Lakeside

Strength ... endurance ... spirit ...qualities that define our country ... are embodied in America’s wild horses and burros that roam our nation’s rangelands, and these living legends will be available for adoption at the Pillsbury Ranch in Lakeside, California, on July 25 - 27, 2008 through the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Adopt-A-Wild Horse or Burro Program.  Spectators are welcome. 
 
Fifty young animals will be available for adoption, forty wild horses, and ten burros.  The mustangs and burros were gathered from public lands in California and Nevada and have been wormed, vaccinated, and in excellent health.
 
Animals will arrive at noon on Friday July 25, and potential adopters may view the mustangs and burros from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Specialty clinics conducted by mustang experts will include horse gentling on Friday at 7:00 p.m. and trailer loading on Saturday mid-morning.   

Approved adopters will receive a lottery number, which is required to participate in the lottery adoption Saturday morning starting at 9 a.m.  The lottery drawn adoption provides all adopters an equal opportunity to adopt the animal of their choice. BLM staff will approve adoption applications from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to noon. 
 
The adoption fee is $125.00 per animal.  Animals not selected during the lottery adoption will be available for adoption on a first come, first served basis for the remainder of Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to noon. Adoption fees may be paid by cash, check, or credit card.  Qualified adopters must be 18 years old, have adequate facilities, the financial means to care for the animal(s), and would have some experience training or raising a horse or burro.  Adopters also must be a resident of the United States and have no convictions for inhumane treatment of animals.  Qualified individuals with the proper facilities 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’x20’ or larger) per animal.  Corral fences must be at least 4 ½ feet high for burros, 6 feet high for ungentled horses, and 5 feet high for horses under 18 months of age.  Fences should be of pole, pipe, or plank constructions.  Barbed wire is not allowed in stalls or corrals.  The corral also must contain a structure to provide shelter for the animal.  Adopters should bring a nylon web halter and 20-foot, cotton lead rope for each animal.  A stock trailer will be required to transport the animal(s). Drop-ramp trailers will not be allowed. BLM wranglers will load the animals into the trailer. 
 
The process is called an "adoption" because BLM retains title to the animal for one year after the adoption.  During the year, a BLM compliance officer or designated representative will visit each adopter to ensure the animal is being cared for and has a good home. During this time adopters cannot sell their adopted animal. Adopters must notify BLM if the animal is moved. After the first year, adopters may apply for title.  BLM will pass title of the animal if all the stipulations of the adoption agreement have been met. The animal becomes the private property of the adopter only after BLM transfers title, which completes the adoption process.
  
Directions to Pillsbury Ranch: take HWY 67 to Willow Road and follow to Pillsbury Ranch.  For more information about the Lakeside adoption or the Bureau's Adopt-A-Wild Horse or Burro Program, contact BLM toll free at 866-4Mustangs or visit our website at www.wildhorseandburro.blm.gov.  

-BLM-

California Desert District Office – 22835 Calle San Juan de Los Lagos, Moreno Valley, CA 92553- (951) 697-5217