Adoption Requirements
We strongly recommend that you print this out and study it. We will ask you many of these questions and you will want to refer to this document many times.
Here at Focus Rescue & Rehabilitation, our number one priority is to make sure the homes we find for our foals are suitable for their needs and abilities. Over the years we have discovered that there are certain requirements that we find make both the adopter and the foal’s life much better.
EXPERIENCE
The first and probably most important factor in selecting an adopter is that they must have horse experience and must currently have a horse on their property. Foals need an adult horse to teach them how to be a horse just as their mom would have. We do not adopt our foals out to people who have not had the wonderful experience of owning or caring for a horse previously. Our foals have already been through enough and need not go through the often-overlooked challenges that a first-time horse owner experiences.
NOTE: You must include photos of your current horse(s) with your completed application.
ADOPTION IN PAIRS
Our foals are adopted out in pairs. A foal that is older than 6 weeks on a case-by-case basis may be able to go alone, however we REALLY prefer for the foal’s sake that they go with a buddy.
NOTE: Two “fancy” colors i.e. palomino, paint, buckskin, appaloosas cannot be adopted together. No exceptions.
FACILITIES
You must have the appropriate facilities. You need to have a barn with stalls and quality fencing in the paddock or pastures. For nurse mare foals it is required that you have and own a barn on your property. You must also live on the property. We do not adopt to boarding barns unless the owner of the barn is also the adopter, and lives on the property.
There should be a run-out attached to the foal stall/barn area as you will not be able to lead them for some time. They are strong and can quickly get loose, this could be disastrous for the foal. The foals need to be constantly monitored, not just checked on once or twice a day. They need companionship and motherly love, as any baby would.
NOTE: You must include photos of your barn & stalls with your completed application.
FENCING
We do not allow foals to be adopted to homes with barbed wire or high tensile fence. These types of fencing are not safe for even an adult horse and are out of the question for foals. Foals require safer fencing, such as 3-4 board fencing, gate panels, woven wire or goat fencing.
NOTE: You must include photos of your fencing with your completed application
REHOMING
We do not allow adopters to rehome their foals without our approval, so please think twice before you adopt and make sure that you are going to be able to do right by them. Are you going to have time? Can you afford it? Are you willing to put in the training and handling of the foal?
We understand life events can change your circumstances and the need to re-home may become necessary. If you find yourself in a situation where you can no longer keep your foal, you MUST contact Focus Rescue & Rehabilitation first. We always want to do right by our foals & horses. We are here to help.
TRAINING
It is vital that you take the training of your foal seriously. Foals need daily interactions with people, they need guidance, direction, handling, and manners. If you do not put the work into training your foal, they will not automatically turn into a well-trained riding horse. You must put in the effort to have a great riding companion in the future.
FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
If the financial obligation of two foals would be a strain on your budget, remember that when caring for a foal, unexpected vet bills might come up, and the foals shouldn’t suffer due to lack of reasonable funding. Make sure that you are financially ready to adopt a foal before you adopt.
OTHER RESCUES
We do not adopt to rescues unless it is for the sole purpose of being a personal horse. Our foals cannot be used as fundraising tools for another rescue. Once a foal is adopted it is adopted. It cannot be claimed as a rescue by another organization. We are adamant about this. Horses NEVER need to be rescued from us. Remember, when you sign your adoption contract you agree to these adoption policies.
BACKGROUND CHECKS
Our background checks include but are not limited to proper address and barn verification.
NOTE: Your application must contain your full contact information including full name, phone number and physical address.
REFERENCES
We require Letters of Recommendation and Support from both your Vet and Farrier. Call your Vet and your farrier and ask them to email us directly from their email address a brief (or not so brief) statement. This statement MUST state the level of care that they feel your horses currently receive and if they feel that you and your facility are well suited to adopt orphan foals. They must understand that you are adopting orphaned foals. They must also state that they feel adequately equipped and staffed to handle treatment that comes with orphan foals.
Often, we find people that do their own farrier work or have farriers that do not email. Not a problem. However, we would need your Vet to verify the care and condition of your horses’ feet or documentation that shows you are a trained farrier. Not all farriers have the desire or physical capability to handle/wrestle young strong foals. Your farrier will need to state that they are willing to support the foal’s hoof care needs.
WHY SO STRICT?
We get a lot of comments and complaints about our adoption requirements and policies being too strict. Adopting foals is a long-term commitment and not to be embarked upon frivolously. Don’t let the novelty of getting a foal cloud the reality of what is to come. They need to be loved, worked with and trained in order to live happy productive lives. Too many people take a cavalier approach to adopting and get caught up in the idea of adopting cute little foals. You may have all good intentions but without the discipline to follow through and the ability to follow through the horse may suffer, maybe not today but in the long run. We want horses to go to homes where they are going to be loved, trained, enjoyed and stimulated. They should be living to their potential rather than becoming pasture ornaments or worse(meat). The reality is that the most we can hope for is a safe environment. Our background checks, address verification, vet and farrier references are the best we can do to ensure their safety. There is just no way to know if people will be good owners on just their word alone.
APPLICATION SUBMISSION
Once you have reviewed and agreed to the requirements, please download the adoption application, fill out completely and provide all proper documentation as noted in and under each requirement. You can email the completed application along with the required documentation of your facilities to: focusrescueandrehab@gmail.com.
Please note that once your completed application and accompanying documentation along with your vet and farrier references are received, we will review the application package in its entirety.
NOTE: We will reach out to you only after everything has been received and reviewed.
When you sign the adoption agreement contract you agree to all policies. Falsifying information or not adhering to policies will be considered breach of contract.