Adopting a Horse
Any person desiring to adopt a horse should consider the many aspects of horse ownership before making a final decision. Adopting a horse is a very large commitment and one not to be taken lightly. The expenses of shelter, medical care, rehabilitation, feed and supplements, farrier costs, tack and equipment, liability insurance and a lifetime placement can become quite costly. But most of all they need your constant love, attention, understanding, patience, and guidance which will demand a large amount of your time. Our horses at Circle F are deemed ready for adoption but we cannot guarantee what kind of animal you will get. Most will have some presenting issue. Rarely do we get the ideal bombproof horse, in perfect health, great with kids, which never spooks. Each horse reacts differently to different people. Often we don’t have all the background we would like on a horse. We are looking for people with patience and understanding who want to give a horse a home and a second chance because of the fate they would have suffered had they not been acquired by Circle F while giving us a chance to rescue another. Circle F horses are predominantly adopted out as companion horses to another horse or for light riding together with companionship. Persons wishing to adopt a horse and who show interest in one of our horses are invited to come for a visit. Should their interest be such that they wish to pursue adoption they fill out an Adoption Application Form and we visit their place to check out suitability for placement. If all seems appropriate an Adoption Contract is signed. Circle F will be in occasional contact with the placement during the first 3-6 months to assure all is going well. After this period, a Permanent Placement Amendment A is signed and full ownership of the horse goes to the adopter.
The steps to be approved for adoption are outlined as follows: Expressing an interest in one or more of our horses and coming out for a preliminary visit. Should you wish to proceed with adoption possibilities you will need to fill out and submit our Adoption Application Form. A Site Visit will be arranged to prove you can provide a proper home for the horse. You will receive a copy of our Shelter and Care Guidelines to indicate suitable requirements of a home for the horse. You will be expected to visit the horse on one or more occasions to ensure your final interest or to indicate that the horse is not the right match for you. It is important to know what kind of horse will meet your needs. We will do our best to assure an even and compatible match. Should you wish to have a formal vet check as to the condition of the horse before making a decision you will cover the cost directly. Each horse is levied an adoption fee and you must be able to provide the adoption fee for the horse that you have been matched with. You will be required to sign an Adoption Contract   , which outlines all the terms and conditions of adoption and agree to abide by it. At that time you will also be given a file of the information available on the horse. It is important that you read the Agreement thoroughly before hand to assure that you can meet our requirements and that you fully understand the financial costs associated with horse ownership. You will be responsible to arrange for the transportation of the horse to your location and to cover the cost.
***The Canadian Horse Defence Coalition (CHDC) , is helping to raise awareness about the plight of equines in our country and promoting the adoption of horses to good homes through an adoption rebate program. As an adoption incentive, CHDC is offering a $50 rebate to be paid, as funds permit, to adopters who obtain a horse from a qualified rescue. If you would like to print the Adoption Rebate Application please click here .*** For more information on adopting a horse please contact Sandy Forward at 604-820-0211 or email [email protected]   .