How to Identify a Reputable Equine Rescue or Sanctuary

Social media is flooded with pleas for horse lovers to support rescues and sanctuaries that work tirelessly on behalf of equines in need. While there are many reputable organizations doing vital work, not all groups operating under the label of “rescue” meet appropriate standards of care, transparency, or accountability. Conducting due diligence before donating helps ensure your generosity truly benefits horses and strengthens the equine welfare community as a whole.

“Social media, AI, mass bail lots, low-end horse traders, and hoarding situations mean the average horse lover who wants to donate, adopt, or volunteer may struggle if they genuinely want to support authentic equine advocates,” says Tinia Creamer, Founder and Executive Director of Heart of Phoenix.

Read the article by Heart of Phoenix here: https://unitedhorsecoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Who-can-Horse-Lovers-trust-to-help-horses-in-equine-advocacy.pdf

Below are key considerations to help guide informed and responsible giving.

Confirm Non-Profit Status

If you intend to donate to a nonprofit organization, verify that it is a registered 501c3. This designation confirms that the organization is recognized by the IRS as a nonprofit and that donations are tax-deductible. Regrettably, some groups claim nonprofit status while operating without proper registration or by commingling personal and organizational finances, both of which are serious red flags.

How can I verify that they’re a legitimate 501c3?

Simple! You can use the IRS’s Tax Exempt Organization lookup website https://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/ or call the EO Department at 977-829-5500. Oftentimes, for the sake of transparency (green flag!), the rescue will have its EIN listed on its webpage or donation page. The EIN is a 9-digit number that appears as “##-#######”.

Look for Accreditation and Industry Oversight

Accreditation provides independent verification that an organization meets established standards for governance, equine care, and operational practices. While accreditation is not required, it is a strong indicator of professionalism and accountability.

Organizations that accredit or partner with equine rescues and sanctuaries include:

The above organizations hold safety and care standards that rescues and sanctuaries must meet in order to be accredited by them. UHC highly recommends getting their stamp of approval. Green flag!

Learn more by watching UHC’s panel discussion on “Accreditation & Partnerships are Professionalizing the Field of Equine Welfare” here: https://youtu.be/KNq0w-vRX40?si=LDV1II-XQMfrN0wO

Evaluate Standards of Care

Though accredited organizations most likely meet basic standards of care, there are a lot of rescues and sanctuaries that might not be accredited. (Not being accredited does not mean a rescue is not reputable. UHC recommends doing your due diligence.) A few points to check on are:

· Their staff and volunteers are professional and well-trained.

· Each animal has an appropriate supply of feed and water tailored to each horse’s individual needs.

· They have the financial and logistical capacity to provide veterinary care, address behavioral issues, provide farrier care, and address any emergency issues that arise.

· They have and follow clear biosecurity protocols, including quarantine and isolation for new or ill horses.

· Horses are behaviorally evaluated to ensure appropriate matching between the adopter’s skill level and the horse’s behavioral needs

Additional rescue and sanctuary guidelines can be found through:

· AAEP https://aaep.org/resource/aaep-rescue-and-retirement-guidelines/

· UC Davis https://ceh.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/sites/g/files/dgvnsk4536/files/local_resources/pdfs/pubs-Sanctuary-bkm-sec.pdf

Understand Where the Horses Come From

Responsible rescues prioritize taking in horses from their communities, such as owner surrenders, local law enforcement, neglect cases, and stray or feral horses.

“Ask, ‘Where do the horses come from in the rescue?’”, notes Creamer.

Organizations that rely heavily on sourcing their horses from kill-pens and auctions, especially those using urgent, emotionally charged fundraising appeals centered around bail-out and kill-pen schemes, may be perpetuating the very systems that place horses at-risk.

Do your research. Are they focused on taking in horses from owners who can no longer care for them, law enforcement cases, neglect cases, and generally helping their community first? Green flag!

A reputable rescue understands the importance of recognizing its capacity limits. Once the rescue is at its capacity, they should be able to say “no” to taking in more horses. Taking on more horses than they can financially and logistically care for puts them at risk of becoming a “rescue that needs rescuing.”

Reputable rescues are also equipped to make humane and ethical decisions regarding quality of life, including euthanasia when appropriate. When rescues hesitate to make a decision on an equine who behaviorally or medically has a poor quality of life, precious resources are tied up when they could be allocated towards helping additional equines in need, while potentially prolonging suffering. Hoarding behavior disguised as rescues places horses and donors at risk.

Be wary of emotional manipulation tactics that can be used to tug at the heartstrings of horse lovers like yourself. Does this “rescue” push horses on unsuspecting donors or adopters who might not be equipped to handle (red flag)? Do they have adoption contracts and policies in place to find a well-suited match between horse and adopter (green flag)?

Review Adoption Practices

Does the rescue provide adopters with the full medical history they have on the horse they are adopting? A full disclosure of a horse’s medical and behavioral needs is important to make sure they are a good fit with their new owner’s skills and financial capabilities.

If it doesn’t work out, will the rescue offer the option to take that horse back, regardless of time passed since adoption? If not, do they have a return policy in place, with a plan for that horse’s future?

“A solid adoption process should focus primarily on making a safe, happy match between the adopter and the horse. Adoption organizations should get to know adopters in a welcoming, respectful way by understanding their goals and horse care experience so they can match them with their adoptable horses’ individual needs. Building that positive relationship also allows for post-adoption support; adopters should always feel welcomed to reach out if they need assistance after adopting or need to return for any reason.” -Christie Schulte Kappert, Vice President of Equine Welfare, ASPCA

Do they have an appropriate screening process for adopters? (green flag) Be cautious of organizations focused on placements with a deadline, without proper matchmaking, or using pressure tactics aimed at adopters or donors. (red flag!)

“Follow your gut. Whether you feel anxious to help because ‘the horse needs pulled now’, you feel off-put because calls are not returned, or you feel on the defensive when traveling the path to adoption, these are signs you are not in the right place. A reputable organization that has the best interests of all equines as the focus of its mission will invest time in accreditation, transparency, and relationships with the community and its members,” says Laurie Jackson, Executive Director of Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary.

Transparency and Governance Matter

Professionally, well-run organizations will usually have a board of directors, which they will have listed on their website. This board serves as a governing body that makes sure the rescue or sanctuary is staying aligned with its mission, strategy, ethics, finances, etc.

They have sound financial records and tax returns. Being a 501c3 means these records are public-facing, and having their 501c3 status means they are up-to-date with their finances and in good standing.

They should have reasonable visiting policies or scheduled tours. Organizations that are operating with visiting hours don’t usually have much to hide. Opening their space up to the public to see their facilities and animals means you (and others) can take a look into the care and operations of the day-to-day in that rescue.

Do a quick Google search. Though there is truth in “you can’t believe everything you read on the internet,” reputable rescues and sanctuaries shouldn’t have scores of poor or negative reviews flooding the internet. While no organization is immune from criticism, repeated allegations of neglect, fraud, or unethical practices should not be ignored. (Those are definitely red flags!)

Be Cautious of Social Media Appeals

Not every group operating online is what it claims to be. Some unscrupulous dealers, scammers, or well-intentioned hoarders hide themselves under the guise of being a “rescue.” These groups use emotional manipulation to solicit donations.

UHC encourages donors to read its Op-Ed “Don’t Be Fooled by ‘Save This Horse From Slaughter’” Donor Campaigns.” https://unitedhorsecoalition.org/dont-be-fooled-by-save-this-horse-from-slaughter-campaign-donor-campaigns/

While rescues face real financial challenges, a professionally managed organization should not be in perpetual crisis (red flag!). Responsible financial planning is essential to sustainability and to the welfare of the horses.

Use Trusted Resources

The United Horse Coalition Equine Resource Database (UHCERD) is a free, searchable tool designed to help the public locate reputable equine rescues and sanctuaries nationwide. Users can search by state, accreditation, and types of safety net and assistance programs they offer.

https://unitedhorsecoalition.org/united-horse-coalition-equine-resource-database/

Jackson words it well, “We are all in this together, and we need each other. If you are not valued, if you face continual barriers to adoption, or if you feel less than prioritized when contributing financially to an organization’s mission, continue your search. Joining the mission work of reputable rescues is the most important action you can take to further the goal of helping horses land softly.”

Informed giving protects horses, strengthens ethical and reputable rescues, and supports a more sustainable equine welfare system. The United Horse Coalition encourages donors to ask questions, seek transparency, and use trusted resources to ensure their support has the greatest possible impact.

We extend our sincere gratitude to the organizations that contributed to this article and to the rescues and sanctuaries that work tirelessly every day to uphold the highest standards of care. Your commitment to doing rescue the right way makes a lasting difference in the lives of horses and strengthens the integrity of the entire equine welfare community.