Donating a Horse

Question: I can’t keep my horse. Can I donate him to Bluebonnet?
Answer: Generally Bluebonnet stays full of neglect case horses and abandoned/estray horses. It is very rare that we have the room to take in a donated horse.

Question: Can I specify in my will that my horses go to Bluebonnet in case of my untimely death?
Answer: Since Bluebonnet stays full of neglect cases horses, abandoned horses and estray horses, we do not accept horses who are willed to us.

Donations

Question: Is my donation tax deductible?
Answer: Yes. Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society is a 501(c)(3) organizations so monetary donations and donations of goods are tax-deductible.

Question: What types of donations does Bluebonnet accept in addition to monetary donations?
Answer: Bluebonnet accepts donations of hay, grain, de-wormers, vaccinations and other medical supplies as well as feed supplements and medications. These items will be used to care for horses in the rescue. You can also donate new and used tack, farm/ranch equipment and horse/stock trailers which may be used for the horses in the rescue or sold at a fundraiser to raise money. Donations of horse or ranch themed art, home decor, jewelry or clothing will be sold at a BEHS fundraiser to raise money to care for the horses. Other donations will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Question: How do I make a monetary donation to Bluebonnet?
Answer: You can make a monetary donation using Paypal by visiting our donation page or you can mail in a donation to BEHS at P.O. Box 632, College Station, Texas 77841-0632.

Question: Can I specify how I want my donation allocated?
Answer: Yes. If you would like your donation allocated to a particular horse or program, please include a note specifying where you would like your money to go.

Fostering

Question: What are the requirements for fostering a Bluebonnet equine?
Answer: We ask that all potential adopters join the rescue and apply to become a foster home. Foster homes must be able to provide safe fencing, shelter, water and hay and grain for their fostered horses. Potential foster homes who have little horse experience or little experience rehabilitating horses are mentored by more experience foster homes.

Question: Does Bluebonnet cover the cost of care for fostering a horse and will I be reimbursed for out of pocket expenses?
Answer: Currently, BEHS pays or reimburses for pre-approved veterinary expenses, medications, supplements, and corrective farrier work. BEHS also reimburses for paste de-worming and $10 of every farrier visit. Over time, BEHS plans to reimburse for more expenses as the organization brings in more funds.

Question: Can I foster a horse that I would like to adopt?
Answer: If a horse already has a foster home, we do not move him to a new home so that they can test him out before adoption. Exceptions may be made if the current foster home has requested that the horse be moved.

Question: Can you limit your fostering care to emergency circumstances only? Such as hurricanes, floods, tornados?
Answer: We don't make demands on our foster homes - they can foster as much or as little as they like. If you prefer only to be available for natural disasters or similar emergencies, you can do that. You'll be placed on the fostering email list once approved to foster and you can volunteer in any situation or for any horse you feel comfortable with.

Question: Can I use my veterinarian to treat the horses I foster or must I use a vet approved by the rescue?
Answer: You can use any vet you like to treat the horses you foster. You must, however, get pre-approval for all veterinary work. For non-emergency work, you may get approval by emailing the President or Foster Home Coordinator. For emergencies, contact the emergency contact person.

Question: If the fostered equine dies, who is responsible for the animals disposal?
Answer: The rescue will cover the cost of disposal. We may need your assistance locating disposal options.

Question: In an emergency, who makes the decision to have the animal put down in an extreme medical situation?
Answer: BEHS' Euthanasia Procedure Policy states that in a life-threatening emergency the foster home should attempt to contact the emergency contact person for euthanasia approval. If the foster home cannot reach any of the listed emergency contacts, he or she shall attempt to contact an officer or director for approval. If he or she cannot reach the emergency contacts, an officer, or a director, the foster home may authorize euthanasia if the attending veterinarian feels the equine needs to be euthanaized immediately to prevent suffering. The foster home must then either email or call and leave a message for the emergency contact person within four hours.

Question: What is the average turnover time for an equine in foster care?
Answer: There really is no average time. Some horses are with their foster homes only a few weeks while others have stayed with a foster home for years. Generally horses with severe behavioral problems stay in foster care much longer than those with physical problems that can be fixed.

General

Question: What states does Bluebonnet operate in?
Answer: Bluebonnet operates throughout Texas and Arkansas. We also conduct adoptions throughout parts of Oklahoma.

Question: How long has the organization been in existence?
Answer: Bluebonnet was formed in February 2005. Many of Bluebonnets officers, directors and volunteers have been involved with rescue work for much longer.

Membership

Question: How do I become a member of Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society?
Answer: You can join the rescue on-line or download a membership application. You can also join the rescue at any Bluebonnet event.

Question: How much does it cost to be a member?
Answer: Memberships range cost $25 for an individual membership, $50 for a family membership, or $100+ for a sponsoring membership.

Question: Do I have to be a member in order to adopt or foster a horse?
Answer: Yes. You also must remain a member in good standing as long as you foster, but you do not have to renew your membership after you adopt.

Question: What are membership fees used for?
Answer: Membership fees are used to pay for expenses incurred by the rescue including the cost of caring for the horses and administrative expenses.

Question: What are the benefits of membership?
Answer: The most important benefit of membership is knowing that your membership fees help us help horses. Members become part of the Bluebonnet Family, working together to help needy horses. Members also gain access to the BEHS email lists, receive discounted admission to some events, and receive a monthly newsletter.

Neglect Complaints

Question: What constitutes neglect of horses?
Answer: The state of Texas defines abuse as unnecessarily depriving an animal of food, water or necessary care. Horses who are overworked or beaten may also be considered abuse. Abuse is not: failing to ride a horse daily, riding a horse daily, failure to clean a horse's hooves daily, failure to stall a horse, failure to provide turnout for a horse, or leaving a horse standing tied. Just because someone does not keep a horse the same way you do does not mean the horse is considered neglected by the state.

Question: If I suspect a neglected horse situation, how can I report it?
Answer: You can call your local sheriff's department or report the suspected abuse to Bluebonnet.

Question: I'm not sure whether what I see constitutes abuse or not. Should i still report it?
Answer: Yes. We would rather investigate an unfounded report of abuse than not get to a horse in time because someone was not sure whether or not a horse was abused.

Question: Can I make a report anonymously?
Answer: Bluebonnet would prefer to receive your contact information when you make a report so that if we have trouble locating the horses we can contact you for more information. However, we do not give out the name or contact information of anyone who reports neglect to us.

Question: Will Bluebonnet investigate neglect cases directly or do you work through the local authorities?
Answer: Bluebonnet does not have the authority to enter personal property without the property owner's permission or to seize horses. When Bluebonnet receives a report of neglect or abuse, a volunteer attempts to locate the horses and assess their condition from the road. We then call local law enforcement. In some cases, law enforcement takes the volunteer with them and they work together on the investigation. In other cases, law enforcement prefers to investigate by themselves any only involves Bluebonnet if they need assistance removing the horses.

Planned Giving

Question: How can I arrange for an annual donation to Bluebonnet?
Answer: You can arrange for a monthly or annual contribution to Bluebonnet by visiting our donation page.

Question: Can I have Bluebonnet Equine Rescue specified in my will when I die?
Answer: Yes. You can bequest a monetary gift or other types of gift in your will. Please discuss this with your estate planning attorney.

Sponsorship

Question: What is sponsorship?
Answer: There are three types of sponsorships. You can sponsor a specific Bluebonnet horse and the money you donate will go to pay for his care. Companies can become Corporate Sponsors and the funds they donate will help cover the operating expenses of the rescue or assist the rescue with specific programs. Individuals and companies can also become event sponsors. Event sponsors receive advertising and other benefits in exchange for their monetary contributions, and those contributions are used to help put on the event.

Question: How do I sponsor a Bluebonnet horse?
Answer: Anyone may sponsor a horse by visiting our sponsorship page.

Question: Can I specify which horse(s) I want to sponsor?
Answer: Yes. If you mail in a sponsorship check, include a note stating which horse you would like to sponsor. If you send a sponsorship via Paypal, list the name of the horse you wish to sponsor in the notes section of the Paypal form.

Trailering

Question: How can I help with trailering horses for Bluebonnet?
Answer: First, join the rescue and then complete a trailering application. You will be added to the pool of approved trailering volunteers.

Question: Do I need a specific kind of trailer?
Answer: We want trailering volunteers to use a trailer that is in good repair. Many of the rescue horses do not load well, so stock trailers or roomy slant load trailers work better than two-horse side-by-side bumper pull trailers.

Volunteering

Question: I would like to help Bluebonnet Equine Rescue. What types of volunteer opportunities are available?
Answer: We need volunteers to foster, check out potential adopters and foster homes, check up on adopted and fostered horses, work on neglect cases, fundraise, and much more. Whatever talents you have, we can find a place for you.