Top 5 Issues with BLM's Response to AIP Concerns

July 30, 2021

AWHC Contributor

In February 2022, the American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign) highlighted significant issues with the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) response to concerns about the Adoption Incentive Program (AIP). These reforms fail to address the root causes of the problem, allowing wild horses and burros to continue entering the slaughter pipeline. Ending cash incentives is crucial to solving the AIP issue.

1. Underestimating the Problem

The BLM claims that the “vast majority” of adopters comply with agency requirements. However, it has not conducted a thorough and transparent investigation to substantiate this claim.

2. Inadequate Protection Post-Title Transfer

The BLM's actions focus solely on protecting horses and burros before title transfer, neglecting their safety post-transfer. Under the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act, title is transferred 12 months after adoption following a compliance inspection.

3. Weakened Adoption Contract

The BLM has weakened the adoption contract by changing the wording from “sell or transfer ownership” to “knowingly sell or transfer ownership,” complicating enforcement against adopters who might sell animals for slaughter.

4. Insufficient Compliance Inspections

By conducting compliance inspections at 6 months instead of 12, the BLM risks issuing titles without current information on the animals' condition or location. This approach fails to address the issue of adopters sending animals to slaughter auctions post-title transfer. Virtual compliance checks, which allow adopters to send photos or videos, cannot replace on-site inspections, leaving animals vulnerable to neglect and abuse.

5. Inadequate Screening of Adopters

Although the BLM claims to improve adopter screening, it only applies to past adopters. The agency does not conduct background checks or screen new adopters for past animal abuse or neglect charges. This oversight is concerning, as most AIP adopters are new, and individuals with questionable histories can still adopt BLM animals.