Potential Adopters must reside in the state of California. Residents in other states may be considered for adoption on a case by case basis pending approval by the Lifesavers Board of Directors.
Interested Adopters must complete and submit a Lifesavers Adoption Application.
Adopters must be approved as an adopter by the Lifesavers board members and staff and must agree to sponsor their adoptive horse for a 3 to 6 month period prior to full adoption approval and must sign and abide by the Lifesavers Sponsorship Agreement. (Lifesavers reserves the right to waive the Sponsorship period or to make exceptions to the policy on a case by case basis.) The sponsorship will require a monthly upkeep fee in addition to the adoption donation required at the end of the sponsorship period.
The sponsorship period is for the purpose of allowing the potential adopter and their chosen horse to spend time together without making the final adoption commitment to be sure that the right match is made. This allows Lifesavers to assess the horse and human as a pair and to determine if the adopter has the responsibility, commitment, finances and heart to be a lifelong adopter/owner of one of our beloved rescued horses. Please read the Sponsorship Agreement for all the terms and conditions.
Once you are approved as an adopter you will have to sign a Lifesavers Adoption Agreement where you accept all legal, financial and moral responsibility for the horse for a home care trial period of (3) three years. After the 3 year period, if all has gone well with your adoption and both you and the horse are still happy with each other, you will receive title to your horse and you will then become the full legal owner. Please read the Adoption Agreement for all the terms and conditions.
After you become full owner of the horse and at any time choose to sell or give away your horse you will agree to give Lifesavers the first right of refusal to purchase previously adopted horse back from you at for the same amount you adopted the horse for or less. Obviously this allows us to continue the protection of our rescued horses and to make sure they never fall into the wrong hands and become abused or neglected.
Interested Adopters will be thoroughly screened and references will be checked. Final approval will be determined by members of the board of directors and Lifesavers' staff based on your performance during your sponsorship period and/or information provided in Adoption Application and screening process.
You will be encouraged and expected to attend some of our educational clinics and classes held here at the ranch which will also give you the opportunity to build a good working relationship with your adoptive horse prior to taking it home. One class per month is included in the Sponsorship Agreement free of charge.
A minimum adoption donation of $500-$2800 (depending on horse chosen) over and above your monthly sponsorship is required. This amount allows Lifesavers to rescue another horse in need. Donations are non-refundable and may not be tax deductible. Tax deductibility should be determined by your tax preparer.
A non-refundable deposit of $100 toward the adoption donation of each horse is required when you submit your application. Deposit will be deducted from your adoption donation balance. If you change your mind and decide not to adopt a horse from us after a deposit is taken, your deposit will be retained by Lifesavers - it will not be refunded.
It's also important for you to understand that your adoption application may be denied at any time during your Sponsorship period in which case your deposit will be returned, but the sponsorship monthly fees will not be refunded to you.
Adopters are required to take possession of their adopted horse within 1 month of approval or other agreed term agreed upon by all parties.
If adopter is "volunteering to earn a horse", they have the sponsorship period to complete as many hours as they can. Each completed hour of volunteer work will be credited at $5 and applied against the balance due. For more details on Earn A Horse Program - Click Here At the end of the sponsorship period, the volunteer adopter must pay the remaining balance less credit for hours worked and arrange to take possession of their horse.
Transportaton of the adopted horse to its new home is the responsibility of the Adopter.
Lifesavers makes every effort to match the personality and abilities of the horse to the adopter's level of skill and expertise. However, it must be understood that most of Lifesavers' rescued horses need additional training before they can be considered "finished" horses. In some cases, Lifesavers' rescued horses, will have little or no prior training. It is the Adopters's responsibility to obtain professional training for their adopted horse.
Potential Adopters must understand that rescued horses are ones that have been discareded by their previous owners for one reason or another. Some horses may have an unsoundness, imperfect conformation, or personality flaw.
Horses available for adoption may be viewed at this web site, or by making an appointment to visit the ranch.
Additonal information may be obtained by phoning 661-727-0049 or 661-727-1205.
Thank you for your interest in our organization and our horses.
Adoption Donation Schedule
Special needs horses $500
Gentled to halter and leading horses $750
Ground Schooled horses ready for saddle training $1000
Green to Seasoned saddle horses $1200 - $2800
Pmu Draft or Draft X foals $900
Send donations to: Lifesavers, Inc., 23809 East Avenue J., Lancaster, California 93535
Phone for more information: 661-727-0049 or email lifesavers@wildhorserescue.org
© 1997 Lifesavers, Inc.