Steps to Surrender an Equine
Appointments are required. We never turn an equine away for any reason including age, health or physical condition. You may schedule a tour of our farm prior to surrendering.
1. Schedule an appointment.
Call (419) 294-4477 or email info@WyHumane.org
Expect the appointment to take 30-40 minutes, provided there are no issues. (On average, guests spend about 1 hour total at the farm.)
We can provide directions with an aerial map to help you prepare.
2. Complete paperwork.
Download our Surrender Form & Assignment of Ownership or request copies via email or mail.
Forms must be signed/dated by the owner.
Submit to info@WyHumane.org or mail to 9640 Co. Hwy 330, Upper Sandusky, OH 43351.
You may complete paperwork at the Surrender Appointment only if you (the owner) are bringing your equine in-person.
If a friend or hauler is transporting the animal, we must receive a completed Surrender Form prior to arrival.
3. Appointment Day
Call when your equine is safely loaded and you’re en route to the farm.
When you arrive, pull into the 4660 gate, come up the driveway and wait for our staff to help you unload.
There is never a need for backing trailers or turning them around, as we have two driveways forming a ‘U’ shape. (Our staff are skilled at maneuvering trailers and are happy to assist, if needed.)
Please inform us right away if your equine is wild/unhandled, loose in the trailer or at risk of running off. We have the ability to handle these types of animals, but we need to be ready for them.
Our trained staff will escort the equine to a stall or enclosure.
After your equine is settled, we’ll go over the rest of the Surrender Paperwork together.
4. Guests are welcome to request a tour of our farm before departing!
We’d be glad to show you around! Please note: We're a working farm, so our time may be limited.
FAQs
Will you still take my equine if they’re very old / injured / sick / skinny / dangerous / mean / un-rideable or if they bite / kick / have overgrown hooves?
Yes. We never discriminate. We’ll take your equine no matter their circumstances.
Will I get in trouble or face consequences if my equine is in poor condition, skinny, injured or in poor health?
No. We pass no judgment, and you won’t get in any trouble. Our staff is understanding and supportive. We are grateful you’re making the choice to bring your equine to us so they can have the help or care they require.
Will you pick up the equine I’d like to surrender?
Generally, our answer is no. We’re an extremely busy, working farm and cannot spare the staff and time required to pick up and transport animals. We recommend checking with equine veterinarians or farriers who may be able to assist.
Will my equine live out their life at your rescue?
No. While we are not a sanctuary, we focus much of our time and effort into finding loving placements for our equines. Your equine’s time at our farm is largely spent readying them for placement with great medical care, training and enjoying companionship with other equines.
Will I be notified if my surrendered equine is going to be euthanized?
Generally no, but you are welcome to check in with us via phone or email and we will be honest with you about our decision and how it was made.
Can I have the name/phone number of my equine’s new owner?
No. This would violate the privacy of the people who lease from us.
Will my equine end up at auction or slaughter after being leased from WCER?
We do our very best to prevent any negative outcomes for our equines like being sold, passed around, given away or sent to an auction. We keep close track of all our leased animals by retaining ownership, including permanent microchip registries. Our contract explicitly states that animals must be returned to us if a lessee cannot keep them for any reason. We also check in on our leased equines yearly.
Will you keep my equine on their medications or supplements?
Our veterinarians and trained staff assess each equine and make decisions based on their expertise. We operate in compliance with the American Association of Equine Practitioners’ Guidelines.
Can I request updates on my equine?
We receive regular requests for updates on Facebook and while we do our best, updates are not guaranteed. Our time and resources are limited, and it’s simply not possible for us to maintain regular contact with each person who’s surrendered an equine.
My equine is retired from riding. Will they find a home as a pasture pet?
We keep the equine’s best interest in mind and do what we can to find them proper placement while recognizing there are not a lot of pasture pet homes. Our trainers assess each equine both on the ground and under saddle. If we believe the equine can be safely ridden, we make them available to riding homes, setting strict riding and activity restrictions for the equines that qualify, including rider weight and ability.
My equine is injured or lame. Will they find a home as a pasture pet?
Our veterinarians and trained staff will assess the animal and make educated determinations. We don’t want any animal to suffer, and in some cases the most humane choice could be to euthanize them. These decisions are always sorrowful and very difficult.
When surrendering an equine, we strongly encourage you to bring any medical records you have on file as well as the name/contact info of your equine’s veterinarian so we can request a copy of their records.
When I’m in a better place financially am I eligible to “re-adopt” my surrendered equine?
Yes! Keep in mind, we are not a boarding facility. Your equine may already be available to other adopters. If your equine is still available when you’re ready, you’d just need to complete the same process as any other adopter.
Submit an application with pictures of your property or boarding facility. Once your application is approved, you may schedule a visit to our farm and complete our Lifetime Lease Agreement.
Can I adopt an equine even though I’ve surrendered one?
Yes! You’ll need to go through our leasing process and submit an application. We understand that sometimes people get a bad match and need a horse with a different set of abilities.
