The Canadian Horse Rescue and Re-homing Society
Pictured: Board members (L-R) Alex Bayer, Deirdre Pickerell, Sarah Lindsay along with Pineview Lou-II Sadie and her foal Ironhawk Nickels Iolani (reg pending) aka Hawk. Sadie was rescued by the Society in 2018 then adopted by Sarah. Read this miraculous story of survival.
We are incredibly grateful to the CHHAPS Board and its members for the generous donation of funds raised through the CHHAPS Challenge: 100 hours in 100 days virtual event. We also appreciate this opportunity to share our story and how our operation has evolved over the last 7 years.
Since launching in 2015, the board and its dedicated group of volunteers across the country and throughout the USA, has saved closed to 50 horses. Many of these have been registered, papered Canadians who had been forgotten and largely lost to the breed. Some of these “saves” have been found at auction, where we strive only to intercede if a horse is at risk of slaughter, but many have been owners needing support in re-homing their horses. Being entrusted with the care and future of what, in many cases, have been treasured family members is a true privilege. To learn about some of the horses we’ve supported over the years – from mares in foal and stallions to champion driving and dress horses – visit https://canadianhorserescue.ca/adopted/
Unlike many other horse rescues, the Society does not have a single location (i.e., farm or ranch) where horses are kept. Instead, we have established a network of foster homes throughout Canada and the United States, and this network is constantly growing. We have also been blessed with a fantastic network of haulers – some volunteer and some paid – who help us safely transport horses into foster care or their adoptive homes. All foster homes go through extensive screening as we work to place horses in the best homes possible. Without this incredible network of foster homes and families, we could not operate and we are forever grateful for their support. To learn more, visit https://canadianhorserescue.ca/fostering-adopting/
Of course, our adoptive homes are equally important. Often these start out as foster homes. We celebrate a few “foster fails” but not all fos
ter homes adopt the horses in their care. We value the insight foster families provide as we review adoption applications. Our goal is always a forever home, though we recognize life does, and will happen. Unlike other rescues, our adoption agreements do not have breeding restrictions. First, and foremost, these are not legally enforceable but, more importantly, as the breed is critically endangered, we do not feel it appropriate to have this kind of restriction. That being said, our adoption agreement does include statements regarding the importance of breeding registered animals and proper paperwork for foals.
Adoption fees vary, but our goal is always cost recovery; getting back in adoption fees whatever a horse has cost the Society. This helps to ensure there are always funds for the other horses in our care, or that we find in need of assistance. Of course, we recognize this is not always possible so negotiate a reasonable adoption fee for the right home.
The Society works with foster families and adoptive homes to get animals registered or papers re-issued. Many times, a horse comes to us with papers but, while the papers have stayed with the horse, the sellers have not registered the sale with CLRC ensuring the current owner is listed. This is an important responsibility for all sellers of registered, papered Canadian horses. When papers aren’t available or a horse is unknown to us, we use our network to try to identify the animal and, when needed, submit mane hair for DNA analysis. Whenever possible we strive to get papers issued to the new/current owner, helping to ensure the breed book is as up-to-date as possible and that any foals can be properly registered.
In September 2020, the Society achieved a huge milestone – becoming a Registered Charity. We primarily operate on donations from individuals and organizations and being a charity now allows us to issue tax receipts, upon request, for all donations over $25.00. We are a completely volunteer driven association and, other than a few nominal operating costs (e.g., website hosting fees), 100% of monies raised helps the horses.
From our perspective, as passionate advocates of the breed and given its critically endangered status, every Canadian Horse should, whenever possible, be given an opportunity to find a forever home. Horses that have health issues or are aged can still be great ambassadors for the breed, introducing more people to the wonderful traits of the majestic horses and increase awareness about the plight of the breed. Horses that are younger and healthy might be potential breeding stock, thereby contributing desperately needed numbers.
If you are interested in getting involved with the Society as a volunteer (e.g., foster home, transportation, attending a local auction on our behalf), if you are a potential adoptive home, if you have or know of a horse you would like our help in rehoming, or if you wish to make a donation, please visit the Get Involved page on our website at https://canadianhorserescue.ca/get-involved/
You can also follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CDNHorseRescue