BLM Announces Adoption of Carson City Wild Horses; Advocates Seek Sanctuary

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is set to hold an adoption event for wild horses recently removed from Carson City. While the BLM plans to auction these horses, advocates are campaigning for their relocation to a sanctuary in California to keep the herd together.

Adoption Event Details

The adoption will take place on March 23 at Silver Saddle Ranch, located on the northeast side of the Prison Hill Recreation Area. The event begins with a viewing from 9 to 10 a.m., followed by bidding from 10 to 11 a.m., as per the BLM's announcement.

Advocates' Sanctuary Proposal

A wild horse advocacy group, which previously urged the BLM not to remove a band of 11 horses, is pushing for the herd's relocation to a California sanctuary. The American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign) has proposed sending the horses to a 2,000-acre sanctuary in northern California.

“In the event that the BLM refuses to return this family to the range, we call on the agency to repair the damage it has done to the community by working with us to send this family to a sanctuary where they can remain together and wild for the rest of their lives,” said Annie Jantzen, a Carson City resident leading the advocacy efforts.

BLM's Response and Adoption Process

Despite initial interest in working with the American Wild Horse Conservation, the BLM decided to proceed with individual horse auctions. The starting bid for each horse is $125, and pre-approval for adoption is recommended, especially for those seeking to adopt more than four horses.

Community and Humane Society Reactions

The Humane Society of the United States has also criticized the BLM's decision, urging the return of the horses to their natural habitat. The horses were part of the Pine Nut Mountains herd management area and were removed due to public safety concerns.

For more information, contact John Axtell at 775-885-6146 or visit www.blm.gov/nv. Photos and videos of the wild horses are available on BLM Nevada’s Flickr and YouTube sites.

Originally Posted By Carson Now