Ready for Adoption....

Although we understand that life happens and missing appointments is unavoidable, due to the volume of individuals who are failing to keep their appointments without any notification, NMHRR has been forced to implement the following policy regarding appointments and adoptions.

Effective immediately, adoption applications must be filled out and submitted, with a one time, $30.00, nonrefundable application fee, before any appointment will be made to meet the horse an applicant is interested in. If an applicant decides to adopt the horse, the application fee will be applied to the deposit or adoption fee for that horse. Should the adoption fail to take place, this application fee will be applied to any future considerations for adoption. This fee may be tax deductible but please contact your accountant regarding what constitutes a donation to a non-profit organization.

Please be aware that there are fees for adopting a horse. Adoption fees are charged to help defer the costs of rehabilitating the horse. Adoption fees will vary and will be based on the horse's capabilities, health and the amount of training involved in order to place them. All adoption fees are returned to NMHRR so that we may continue to care for new arrivals.

There is no such thing as a free horse! Potential applicants must be able to and willing to provide the care required to own a horse. This includes the following conditions:

Adopted horse must maintain weight and condition as advised by a licensed veterinarian. This includes any special diets and supplemental feeding required. Adopter agrees to provide proper feeding to maintain appropriate weight, free access to clean water, a minimum of a 3 sided shelter, and adequate fencing. Horse must be wormed every 3 months and have farrier care every 6 to 8 weeks. This amount can differ dependending on the needs of the horse. A good farrier can recommend the best time frame.

Adopter agrees to provide the following veterinary care:

Spring Inoculations: Flu, Rhino, Tetanus, Rabies, West Nile and any other inoculations your veterinarian recommends for endemic diseases. A Coggins test must also be performed annually by a licensed veterinarian. Inoculations must be administered by a licensed veterinarian for the first full year after adoption. If you choose to vaccinate your own horse after this time, please be aware that some innoculations can only be administered by a licensed veterinarian.

Dental checks must be performed annually by a licensed dental veterinarian and teeth floated if the veterinarian so recommends.

Illness or injury: The adopter agrees to provide recommended veterinarian care for illness and/or injury.

Adoptions are not on a first come, first serve basis. Horses and potential families are carefully matched according to experience, abilities, intended use or any health issues that might require additional care. By doing this, we limit the potential for problems once the horse leaves our care.

First time horse owners are welcome to adopt! We are affiliated with an excellant horse boarding facility that can provide board and lessons, so new owners can learn to ride and care for their horse in a secure enviornment. This is optional, but strongly recommended for those with limited experience.

Adopted horses cannot be sold. However, we do allow third party adoptions. If the adopter can no longer care for the horse, the adopter must make every effort to find a new, suitable, NMHRR approved home. If, after every effort has been made to find a new home for the horse has failed, they may be returned to NMHRR, with a negative Coggins.

Northern Michigan Horse Rescue and Rehabilitation would also like to remind adopters that transportation of their adopted horse is their responsibility and the horse must be picked up within a reasonable frame of time or board payment in the amount of $190.00 per month will be added to the adoption fee. Adopters may arrange to have NMHRR transport their horse for a fee of $30.00 plus 1.00 per mile gasoline charge. Should an adopter arrange to have NMHRR transport their horse, it will only take place during a time period that is mutually convenient to both the adopter and NMHRR.

We would also like to remind potential adopters that any veterinary, farrier or other precautionary checks are the direct responsibility of the adopter and that the adopter MUST be present or have made prior arrangements for payment of any visits. NMHRR encourages the use of the pre adoption veterinary checks, but we cannot and will not be responsible should an appointment be made and then missed.

Potential adoptees are also needed. If you are interested in adopting a horse, you can follow this link to our adoption page. We also have a Horse Request form which can be printed off and mailed to:

Northern Michigan Horse Rescue and Rehabilitation
847 Meecher Road
Gaylord, MI 49735

You can also join our mailing list, contact us at 989-350-2971 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., email northernmichiganrescue@charter.net or bookmark this site to receive updates when one our friends is ready for their forever home.