Changes to Federal Adoption Program Not Enough to Ensure Wild Horse Safety

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has announced plans to enhance protections for wild horse adoptions following revelations that horses adopted through a federal incentive program were being sold to slaughter. Despite these changes, animal welfare groups argue that the measures are insufficient to ensure the safety of these animals.

Earlier this year, a New York Times exposé, based on investigative information from the American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign), revealed that wild horses adopted through the BLM's Adoption Incentive Program were being sold to slaughterhouses by adopters who had pledged to protect them.

In response, the BLM plans to implement additional compliance visits post-adoption, increase screening of potential adopters, and require veterinarians to certify all applications before adopters receive their $1,000 incentive, as reported by The Associated Press.

However, the American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign) and Friends of Animals, both of which have active lawsuits against the BLM, argue that these changes are not enough. Mike Harris from Friends of Animals emphasized the need for further discussions with the BLM to address additional necessary changes.

Harris stated, "This is a step in the right direction, but they shouldn’t be offering financial incentives, and they certainly shouldn’t be adopting horses in large numbers to any individual person."

The American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign) has published a detailed analysis of the BLM's announced changes, criticizing the agency for underestimating the problem's scale and failing to conduct a thorough investigation.

The organization calls for the elimination of cash incentives, limits on the number of animals adopted to the same address, and background checks for new adopters. Suzanne Roy, executive director of the American Wild Horse Conservation, stated, "The changes the BLM is vowing to implement will be rendered meaningless without the elimination of the cash incentives for the adoption of untamed, wild mustangs and burros."

Lady Freethinker acknowledges the support of over 38,000 people who have signed a petition demanding justice for these wild animals. The organization pledges to continue monitoring the situation and advocating for meaningful changes.

Originally posted by Lady Freethinker.