Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why do you offer a membership?
A: H.O.P.E. is a public non-profit membership corporation. We have a membership to help with our equine expenses and rescue costs. We do not pay salaries to individuals, officers, or Board positions; however we still have to pay the vet, farrier, dentist and all of the expenses that go with owning and caring for each horse (feed, hay, wormer, bedding, etc) - not to mention rescue or auction fees. We also need to pay the monthly rent for our facility. And your membership tells us you believe in what we are doing and would like to see us continue!
Q: What is my benefit for becoming a member?
A: Members receive discounts for clinics, lessons, invitations to special events, discounts at some equine stores and are entitled to vote. You will receive a quarterly newsletter to keep you informed with what is happening at H.O.P.E. Active members in good standing, for one year, may also apply for open board or officer positions. Members may recommend ideas to the board which will help the organization grow.
Q: Why do you adopt horses to new owners and charge board to keep them at the rescue facility?
A: Everyone has to purchase their first horse somewhere, and why not at a rescue? We are not only a rescue, our mission is also to educate. I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to own one of these wonderful animals, if that is what they desire. And then by requiring them to board that horse with H.O.P.E. [Horse Outreach Program through Education] allows us to teach them all about the responsibilites of horse ownership and caring for their new companion. The board fee goes right back into the rescue to pay for bedding, feed, hay and rent. The adopter pays for their own vet, farrier, supplements, etc.
Q: What does "Under Adoption Contract" mean?
A: This means that the horse has a signed adoption contract on it; however, the horse is not yet paid in full, the adopter is making payments. H.O.P.E. is still the owner of that horse until the horse is paid in full. The adopter does pay a board fee which goes back into the rescue to pay for bedding, feed, hay and rent. The adopter pays for their own vet, farrier, supplements, etc.
Q: Why aren't you offering Gypsy and Tease for adoption?
A: Gypsy and Tease have been together for 20 years. We could never take Gypsy away from Tease who is over 30 years old; we feel it would upset her too much. Both of these horses were surrendered by thier loving owner, who owned them both for 20 years, and still comes to visit them. She only gave them up due to her own ill health. Both of these horses are very good lesson horses for people to learn with, so we brought them in as lesson horses. They have a job with H.O.P.E. and do it very well.
Q: Are the adopted horses solely taken care of by their adopter?
A: The adopter is not required to be out every day and care for their horse, but they are required to be out at least 4 to 5 times per week. All of the horses are fed at one time, by one person. The stalls are cleaned daily and if the adopter comes out, they clean their own stall (along with the other horses stalls). If the adopter is not there on a particular day, that horse still gets the stall cleaned by a volunteer or officer. We would never let the horse sit in a dirty stall because the adopter could not be out on a particular day. This is just part of the duties of being a volunteer; as well as an adopter, since they are cleaning more than just their horses stall when at the barn. We all work together for the good of the horse.
Q: Aren't adopted horses then taking up space that could be used for other rescued horses?
A: Yes, the horse may be with us a little longer using a stall that could go to another rescue horse. However, we are trying to give that horse we did save, the best home possible. If the horse needs to stay with us a little longer to educate the new owner, then that is the right thing to do in our opinion. When that horse does eventually leave, we will be comfortable that the horse owner knows how to properly care for that horse and the horses chance for a better life are much greater. Unfortunately, there will always be a horse that needs to be saved, but you want to make sure that the horse you did save, has a better quality of life!!! Sometimes quality is better than quantity! This fits in perfectly with our mission statement.