Published: February 07, 2008 04:13 pm            

Wild horses and burros available for adoption

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will hold a wild horse and burro adoption in Corsicana Feb. 14-16. The three-day event at the Navarro County Expo Center will feature 90 spectacular animals – adult and yearling horses and burros that once roamed free on public lands in the West. The BLM periodically removes excess animals from the range in order to ensure herd health and to maintain balance among the many public uses of the land. The adoption program is essential for preserving these “living legends.”

Adoption Schedule

Preview all of the animals Thursday, Feb. 14 from 4-6 p.m.

Gates reopen Friday, Feb. 15 at 8 a.m. with adoptions starting at 10 a.m. and ending at 6 p.m. Adoptions continue Saturday, Feb. 16 from 8 a.m. until noon.

Adoption Qualifications

Application approval is required and can be done on site. To qualify to adopt, one must be at least 18 with no record of animal abuse. Adopters must have suitable facilities and can adopt no more than four animals. All animals must be loaded in covered stock-type trailers with sturdy walls and floors – no drop ramp trailers. BLM staff will be on hand to assist adopters through the short application process.

Adoption Fees

The minimum adoption fee, set by law, is $125 per animal to qualified adopters. An initial round of competitive bidding will take place Friday at 10 a.m. to determine the adoption fees for those animals that are sought by more than one person. Following the single round of bidding Friday morning, walk-up adoptions will be processed for $125 on a first-come-first-served basis for the rest of the weekend.

Those interested in taking part in the competitive bid adoption are encouraged to come Thursday afternoon or early Friday to select their desired animals and to complete their adoption applications in time.

Wild horses and burros are renowned for their strength, endurance, agility and intelligence – characteristics bred into them in the wild which make them ideal for work or recreation. Since 1973, the BLM has placed more than 217,000 animals in approved homes across the country.

For more information call toll-free 1-866-4-MUSTANGS or visit www.nm.blm.gov (select Wild Horse and Burro under Quick Links).

Directions to the Navarro County Expo Center: From I-45 in Corsicana, turn west on W. 7th Ave./Hwy 31. Go approx. 2.5 miles to N. 45th St./FM2555. Turn north on 45th St. and go approx. 1.5 miles. Facility is located between Hwy 22 and Hwy 31 on 45th St.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.