Are there always horses available
for adoption at AERO?
Because of the number of horses and the length of time it takes to
rehabilitate horses at AERO adoption candidates are limited in
number each year. When a horse becomes available for
adoption it will be placed on our home page so keep checking back.
Back to top
Why are Adoptions from Rescue
Facilities, and particularly AERO, so involved?
AERO takes pride in a
comprehensive rehabilitation process for each horse that comes to
the AERO facility. Each rescue that comes to AERO incurs extensive
rehabilitation costs ($3000-$6000 per horse) which are not
recuperated in the adoption process. For this reason our adoption
requirements are extensive in order to ensure the best placement
for the horse and Adoption Candidate. For other facilities this is
also true - the average rescue rehabilitation time is 9-12 months
and it is important that placement is carefully considered because
of the time and money already invested in the rescued horse.
Our objectives in the adoption
process are: 1) To ensure that there is a good match between horse
and Adoption Candidate in personality, capability, and experience.
2) To ensure that the safety of the horse and Adoption Candidate
are NOT compromised in any way once the horse leaves AERO
facilities 3) To ensure long term health and well-being of horse
to be adopted.
Back to top
What are the steps to Adopting a
horse from AERO?
- Adoption Candidate must fill out
an adoption application and complete an interview by AERO staff.
This interview will cover horse facilities, horse handling
experience, intended use of horse, financial capabilities, and
terms of adoption from AERO.
- Adoption Candidate must show an
established relationship with a veterinarian that AERO can
contact. If no relationship with a veterinarian exists, AERO can
recommend a veterinarian for the Adoption Candidate to contact.
Adoption Candidate is responsible for establishing initial contact
and relationship with veterinarian for adoptive horse care.
- Adoption Candidate must complete
AERO Basics of Horse Body Language Clinic regardless of
experience.
- Adoption Candidate must make at
least four visits with horse to bond (under AERO supervision)
before removing the horse from AERO property.
- If AERO deems it necessary
(such as a first time horse owner or an adoptor who does
not have an established relationship with a veterinarian), AERO
may require a trial period where care for the horse is monitored.
During this time the horse may be removed if it is found to be in
conditions of neglect or abuse. If a horse is removed any
fees will be fully refunded and the adoptor will not be eligible
for adoption of any horse from AERO in the future.
- Adoption
Candidates will sign an adoption agreement which includes full
title transfer and first right of refusal to AERO if no longer
able to care for adopted horse. In first right of refusal AERO has
the option of purchasing the horse back from the owner at a
mutually agreeable price, usually the original adoption fee. If the
horse has a medical condition that was not diagnosed while in AERO's care
and the owner wants to return the horse to AERO, refund of the adoption fee
is NOT automatic.
- AERO fills out state transfer
paperwork and provides full documented history of care while at
AERO.
- AERO requests that Adopter calls
AERO once a year for updates on adopted horse but this is optional. Adopter is welcome
to call AERO at anytime to ask questions.
Back to top
Do I own
the horse once I adopt it?
Once a horse is adopted from AERO
it is fully owned by the Adopter. AERO makes three conditions a part of full title transfer of the
horse. 1) Horse is micro-chipped to permanently hold AERO
information in the case that it makes it’s way to auction or
slaughter. 2) Adopter agrees to give AERO first chance at buying or
taking the horse back into the rescue under mutually agreeable terms should the Adopter be
unwilling or unable to keep the adopted horse. 3) Adopter agrees to
provide level of care as described in Adoption Regulations for as
long as Adopter owns the horse.
Note that many rescues never relinquish ownership of a horse even if
an adoption fee is paid so that the horse can be removed if it
should become necessary. AERO does not follow this practice due to
the financial burden it places on the rescue so extra care is taken
to place a horse initially.
Back to top
How
much does it cost to adopt a horse from AERO?
Adoption fees vary widely based on the
horse’s capability, age and special care needs. Although AERO
adoption fees are often lower than if a horse were purchased from a
regular seller be aware that this does not make an AERO horse a
cheaper horse to obtain. Often AERO horses will continue to need
special care all their lives even when they are sound. Also,
regardless of how you obtain a horse the actual care of the horse is
always more expensive than the initial purchase price.
For a FREE Horse Care Spreadsheet that allows you to input the costs
of care for your situation to give you a clear picture of monthly
and annual costs contact us. In AERO’s experience a horse that
receives proper care costs on average $3000 per year (more if the
horse is boarded). Urgent horse care, such as colic surgeries, often
can cost $5000 or more. Injuries or problems in horse legs can cost
$1500-$3000. Emergency veterinary calls usually cost a minimum of
$300. A horse is a significant financial commitment that should not
be taken lightly.
Back to top
Can I
fill out an adoption application even when there are no horses
currently available?
Yes!
Feel free to fill out an application and we will contact you if we
have a horse that might match your needs! We keep adoption
applications on file for one year and contact you before it expires
to see if you want to remain on our Adoption Candidate list. Use the
contact us link below to receive an application.
Back to top
What are the Adoption Regulations for the
horse's care?
Adoption regulations cover what is considered humane and
responsible care for a horse, including humane handling,
appropriate living area, food and water. Adoption regulations
apply to the trial period before a horse is fully owned by the
Adoption Candidate and the outlined care applies to the horse even
after fully adopted as long as the Adoption Candidate will own the
horse. Upon starting the adoption process AERO will carefully
review these regulations with each Adoption Candidate.
Back to top
More
questions?? >>
contact us
