Wild Horses, Burros Available for Adoption in Needles, CA Oct. 20th
Wild mustangs and burros will be offered to qualified adopters at the Needles Rodeo Grounds in Needles, CA on October 20 through the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Adopt-A-Horse or Burro Program. There are 40 young animals available for adoption, 20 yearling mustangs and 20 burros, jacks and jennies of all ages. Spectators are welcome.
Animals arrive at noon on Friday October 19, and potential adopters may view the mustangs and burros from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. BLM staff will approve adoption applications from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday. All applicants must fill out an application and be approved to adopt. Adopters will receive a bidder number once their application is approved, which they must have to participate in the competitive bid portion of the adoption. The adoption will be conducted by silent competitive bid Saturday morning only, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., which provides all adopters an equal opportunity to adopt the animal of their choice.
The minimum competitive bid will start at $125.00 per animal. Animals not selected during the competitive bid will be available for adoption on a first come, first served basis for the remainder of Saturday. Adoption fees may be paid by cash, check, or credit card.
Individuals must be at least 18 years old, a resident of the United States, and have no convictions for inhumane treatment of animals. Adopters also must have adequate facilities, the financial means to care for the animal(s), and should have some experience training or raising a horse or burro. Qualified individuals with proper facilities may adopt up to four animals. Adopters should bring a nylon web halter and 20-foot, cotton lead rope for each animal. A stock trailer will be required to transport the animal(s). Drop-ramp trailers will not be allowed. BLM wranglers will load animals on to trailers.
The process is called an “adoption” because BLM retains title to the animal for one year after the adoption. During the year, a BLM compliance officer or designated representative will visit each adopter to ensure the animal is being cared for and has a good home. During this time adopters cannot sell their adopted animal. Adopters must notify BLM if the animal is moved. After the first year, adopters may apply for title. BLM will pass title of the animal if all the stipulations of the adoption agreement have been met. The animal becomes the private property of the adopter only after BLM transfers title, which completes the adoption process.
The mustangs and burros were gathered from public lands in California and Nevada, have been wormed and vaccinated, and are in excellent health. BLM monitors the herds and removes animals when they begin to over-populate their herd area. The removals ensure the rangelands will remain healthy for the remaining wild horses and burros, native wildlife, and permitted livestock.
For more information about the Needles adoption or the Bureau’s Adopt-A-Horse or Burro Program contact BLM toll free at 866-4Mustangs.
Source: BLM California
To read more about the desert, go to DesertUSA.com.