A Survey of Animal Control Centers and The Unwanted Horse

Our organization has been working with unwanted horses for nearly 10 years. In that time we have seen a significant increase in the number of unwanted, abused, neglected, or abandoned horses and concurrently a significant decrease in the response rate of animal control agencies throughout our State. Between 2004 and 2007 we worked with the four largest counties in the state to provide transport, shelter, rehabilitation, adoption, and legal case management services for less than $10 per day. The average cost of care was $16.43 per day at that time; the difference being primarily subsidized through direct individual donations. In 2007, more than 300 animals were seized by animal control agencies in Washington, which likely represents less than half of the actual number that should have been seized. In the two years since then, fewer than 50 horses (total) have been seized. All of the "horse rescues" are full, underfunded, and understaffed, and it seems that animal control is simply looking the other way when investigating incidences of reported abuse or neglect. Without significant, systemic change in the way unwanted horses are viewed and cared for, this problem will continue to grow, while the solutions continue to decline. Hope For Horses favors large regional centers similar to small animal shelters, managed by private or nonprofit organizations, subsidized with county, state and federal funding.