The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will be hosting a two-day wild horse and burro event at the Doña Ana County Fairgrounds in Las Cruces, N.M. on Jan. 31 – Feb. 1. The event will feature 100 animals available for adoption, with adoptions taking place on Jan. 31 from noon-6 p.m. and on Feb. 1 from 8 a.m.-noon. BLM is now offering up to $1,000 to adopt an untrained animal as part of their efforts to find every horse and burro a good home.
The animals available for adoption at the event are adult and yearling horses, as well as burros that were once roaming free on public lands in the west. BLM periodically removes excess animals from the range to maintain healthy herds and protect rangeland resources. Since 1973, BLM has successfully placed over 280,000 of these animals in approved homes across the country. The Adoption and Sale Program is crucial for achieving important management goals.
To qualify to adopt an animal, applicants must be at least 18 years old with no record of animal abuse. Qualified homes must have a minimum of four hundred square feet of corral space per animal, with access to food, water, and shelter. BLM staff will be available onsite to assist with the application process, and all animals must be loaded in covered, stock-type trailers with specific requirements. For more information, individuals can call toll-free 866-468-7826 or visit www.blm.gov.
