Here's an excellent article from the July 2000 issue of The Horse about how to select a rescue titled Charity Begins with Homework. You do have to be registered with The Horse to access it, but there is no cost to do so.
If your rescue isn't listed (please check first), go to the bottom of the page for information on how to send in the url so that it can be. Sorry, only rescues with webpages will be listed. If you don't have a webpage, please see Webpage Information on how to make one.
United States of America
National Organizations
For a list of horse adoption organizations across the country, you can send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:
American Horse Protection Association
1000 29th Street SW #T-100
Washington, DC 20007
I sent in a request around December 1997 and have never received a listing from them.
Black Beauty Fund group of people who pledge a specific amount each month to sponsor a horse at TIER Rescue.
Bureau of Land Management's Wild Horse and Burro Program
Bureau of Land Management's Online Adoption Program - has periodic online adoptions. Keep checking their site for informaton on the next adoptions.
Burro Rescue Rehab Relocate Onus - information on adopting, sponsoring and caring for burros and donkeys.
Exceller Fund - help sponsor a horse for a minimum commitment of $15.00 a month.
Icelandic Horse Rescue and Rehabilitation
Racehorse Adoption Referral Program helping to place retired Thoroughbreds with no future in racing or breeding.
PMU Foal Adoption Network - the US & Canada
PMU Foal Quest - finds homes across North America for Alberta PMU foals.
Standardbred Equestrian Program Adoption Agencies
Standardbred Pleasure Horse Organization
Standardbred Retirement Foundation - helps place retired Standardbreds in loving homes.
Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation
Racehorse Outplacement Assistance Network - Owners list various racehorses available. Most are right off the track, but some have a bit of off track training and there are occasionally some that aren't racing breeds.
Recycle Racehorses - US listings of off track racehorses available.
US Organizations by State
Some organizations will adopt to persons residing out of their state - for details, check with the specific organization. It's also a good idea to check other rescues in surrounding states and see if they adopt to other states as well. If location is listed and easily found on the website, I've listed that as well. Please note that it may be the mailing address city and the rescue's physical location may be elsewhere.
Alabama
Alabama Equine Rescue - Odenville, Alabama
Shadowrun Equine Rescue - Robertsdale, Alabama
Tug on Your Heart PMU Foal Rescue - Grand Bay, Alabama
Alaska
Alaska Equine Rescue - Anchorage, Alaska
Arizona
Hacienda de los Milagros - Chino Valley, Arizona - burro & horse sanctuary
Horse Rescue of North Scottsdale - Scottsdale, Arizona
Maricopa County Horse & Pony Rescue - Phoenix, Arizona
Mesa Equine Santuary & Adoption - Mesa, Arizona
Painted Promise Ranch - Whittmann, Arizona
Wildhorse Ranch - Gilbert, Arizona
X-S Ranch - Maricopa, Arizona
Arkansas
Mustang Arabian Rescue & Education
Ozland Horse Rescue - Batesville, Arkansas
ReRun Arkansas - Arkansas
Rocky Acres Ranch & Equine Rescue - Clarksville, Arkansas
Tiny Timbers Horse Rescue - Pea Ridge, Arkansas
California
Alternate Careers for Thoroughbreds - Vacaville, California - open to trainers, owners and breeders statewide.
CERF aka California Equine Retirement Foundation - Winchester, California
Equus Santuary - Glendale, Califonia
Friends of Arabian Horse Rescue
Horses' Honor - Auburn, California
Jack Auchterlonie Memorial Equine Sanctuary - Twentynine Palms, California
LIFE - lots of information on wild horses and burros. No longer doing rescue due to death of founder.
Lifesavers - Lancaster, California - focuses on Mustangs.
Meadowbrook Animal Sanctuary & Rescue - Lake Elsinore, California
Mustang Rescue Ranch - Sacramento, California
NorCal Equine Rescue - Taylorsville, California
Painted Spirit Ranch - Murrieta, California
Phoenix Equine Foundation - Glen Ellen, California
Redwings Horse Sanctuary - Carmel, California
Southern California Rescue Guide - online guide to companion animal rescue in Southern California. Includes equines.
Tranquility Farm - Tehachapi, California
True Innocents Equine Rescue aka TIER - Riverside, California
United Pegasus Foundation - Arcadia, California
Wild Horse Sanctuary - Shingletown, California
Colorado
Canon City Horse Rescue - Canon City, Colorado
Colorado Horse Rescue - Arvada, Colorado
Flying Ah! Mustang Ranch and Sanctuary - Trinidad, Colorado
Friends of Horses Rescue & Adoption - Greenwood Village, Colorado
Front Range Equine Rescue - Colorado Springs, Colorado
Lasso Horse Rescue - Durango & Pagosa Springs, Colorado
Rocky Mountain Foal Rescue - Falcon, Colorado
7 Star Mustang Sanctuary & Learning Center - Cotopaxi, Colorado
Florida
Back in the Saddle Horse Adoption - Green Cove Springs, Florida
Heavenly Meadows Horse Rescue - Chipley, Florida
Hope For Horses - Port St. Lucie, Florida
Horse Protection Association of Florida - Miami, Florida
Santa Fe River Clydesdales - Ft. White, Florida
South Florida Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals - South Florida
Whispering Winds Ranch - Newberry, Florida
Florida Evacuation/Disaster Sites
Sunshine State Horse Council Evacuation/Disaster Information
Georgia
Horse Rescue, Relief and Retirement Fund - Cumming Georgia
Sunkissed Acres - Summerville, Georgia
Idaho
Orphan Acres - Viola, Idaho
Illinois
CANTER Illinois - Illinois branch of the Communication Alliance to Network Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses. Can post off the track Thoroughbreds available, and post horses wanted here.
Chance's Mini Horse Rescue - Foosland, Illinois
Creekside Rescue & Rehabilitation - Roscoe, Illinois
Crosswinds Equine Rescue - Tuscola, Illinois
Hooved Animal Humane Society - Woodstock, Illinois
Lazy Maple Equine Rescue & Rehabilitation Center - Leland, Illinois
ReRun Illinois - Hampshire, Illinois
Indiana
Indiana Horse Rescue - Frankfort, Indiana
MoonWinds Rescue - Lizton, Indiana
Iowa
Rollin' On Racehorse Rescue and Adoption - Shelby, Iowa
Kentucky
Blair's Equine Rescue - Shepherdsville, Kentucky
Casey Creek Horse Rescue & Adoption - Casey Creek, Kentucky
DreamCatcher Stables - Stearns, Kentucky
Equine Transitional Training Alliance - Lexington, Kentucky
ReRun Kentucky - Carlisle, Kentucky
Louisiana
Hopeful Haven - Mooringsport, Louisiana
Maryland
Days End Farm Horse Rescue - Lisbon, Maryland
Equine Rescue Rehabilitation Incorporated - Parkton, Maryland
Horse Lovers United - Salisbury, Maryland
HorseNet Horse Rescue - Eldersburg, Maryland
New Life Equine Rescue - Keymar, Maryland
Mid Atlantic Horse Rescue - Chesapeake City, Maryland
Royal Equine Rescue & Sanctuary - Belair, Maryland
Massachusetts
CANTER New England - Massachusetts
Eye of the Storm Equine Rescue - Stow, Massachusetts
Michigan
Broken Pine Ranch Horse Rescue - Edmore, Michigan
CANTER Michigan - Communication Alliance to Network Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses. Can post off the track Thoroughbreds available, and post horses wanted here.
Great Lakes Hooved Animal Rescue - Nunica, Michigan
Horses' Haven - South Lyon, Michigan
Second Career Racehorses - Grand Rapids, Michigan
Second Chance Thoroughbred Adoption - Augusta, Michigan
Minnesota
Blarney Farm Horse Rescue & Retirement - Chaska, Minnesota
Midwest Horse Adoption Program - Shakopee, Minnesota
The Original Funny Farm - Mt. Iron, Minnesota
Missouri
Fableview Equine Rescue - Centerview, Missouri
Montana
Angels Among Us Equine Rescue & Sanctuary - Kalispell, Montana
Nevada
Miracle Horse Rescue - Pahrump, Nevada
Virginia Range Wildlife Protection Association - Virginia City, Nevada
New Hampshire
Live and Let Live Farm - Chichester, New Hampshire
Turtle Rock Rescue - Rindge, New Hampshire
New Jersey
Enchanted Acres - Howell, New Jersey
H.P. Precision Rebuilding Center - Allentown, New Jersey
Mylestone Equine Rescue - Phillipsburg, New Jersey
ReRun - Helmetta, New Jersey - also has branches in Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, New York, Virginia and Washington.
New Mexico
Perfect Harmony Animal Rescue and Sanctuary - Chapparral, New Mexico
New York
Blue Springs Farm reschooling, consignments and rehoming off track Thoroughbreds - St. Johnsville, New York
ERR - Equine Rescue Resource - Throggs Neck, New York
H.O.R.S.E. Rescue & Santuary - York, New York
New York Horse Rescue- Manorsville, New York
ReRun - Syracuse, New York - also has branches in Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, New Jersey, Virginia and Washington.
SLAPP of New York aka Standardbred Layup and Placement Program - New York
Tender Mercy Equine Rescue - Middleport, New York
Western New York Equine Sanctuary
North Carolina
Hope for Horses - Leicester, North Carolina
Horse Protection Society of North Carolina - China Grove, North Carolina
United States Equine Rescue League aka North Carolina Equine Rescue League - also does rescue in Virginia.
Ohio
Communication Alliance to Network Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses (CANTER) Ohio
Frog Pond Farm Draft Horse Rescue - Cambridge, Ohio
Last Chance Corral - Athens, Ohio
Lost Acres Horse Rescue & Rehabilitation - Chillicothe, Ohio
New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program - Laura, Ohio
Ohio Equine Rescue - Sabina, Ohio
Ohio Hooved Animal Humane Society - Hartville, Ohio
West Wind Horse Rescue - Bellefontaine, Ohio
Wyandot County Humane Society - Upper Sandusky, Ohio
Oklahoma
Mustang Arabian Rescue & Education
Save A Horse Foundation - Enid, Oklahoma
Oregon
Emerald Valley Equine Assistance - Eugene, Oregon
Equine Angels - Canyonville, Oregon
Poor Pony Central Oregon Horse Rescue - Central Oregon
Pennsylvania
Angel Acres Horse Haven Rescue - Glenville, Pennsylvania
Another Chance for Horses - Bernville, Pennsylvania
Bran Manor Equine Rescue and Placement - Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania
Bright Futures Farm - Spartansburg, Pennsylvania
Communication Alliance to Network Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses aka CANTER Pennsylvania
Down Patrick Farm - Newport, Pennsylvania
Hooved Animal Welfare Council - Erie, Pennsylvania
Last Chance Ranch Equine Rescue - Quakertown, Pennsylvania
Paradise Equine Adoption & Youth Ministry - Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania
Ryerss Farm - Pottstown, Pennsylvania
Whispering Acres - Mifflinberg, Pennsylvania
South Carolina
South Carolina Awareness and Rescue for Equines aka SCARE
South Dakota
Black Hills Wildhorse Sanctuary - Hot Springs, South Dakota
Double HP Horse Help Providers - South Dakota
Tennessee
Angel Rescue Equine Program - Dickson, Tennessee
Horse Haven of Tennessee - Knoxville, Tennessee
Texas
Animals First - Willis, Texas
Brighter Days Horse Refuge - Pipe Creek, Texas
Communication Alliance to Network Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses aka CANTER Texas
Equiserve Equine Rescue - Springtown, Texas
Habitat For Horses - Hitchcock, Texas
Hope for Horses - McKinney, Texas
Humane Help Animal Rescue & Shelter - Presidio, Texas
Lone Star Equine Rescue - Leander, Texas
Second Chance Horse Refuge - Nevada, Texas
Sunscape Equine Rescue - Alvin, Texas
True Blue Animal Rescue - Brenham, Texas
United States Equine Sanctuary and Rescue formerly known as HORSES in Texas
Vermont
Spring Hill Horse Rescue - Brandon, Vermont
Virginia
Equine Rescue League - Leesburg, Virginia
Lost Fantasy Stables & Animal Rescue - Ceres, Virginia
New Beginning Equine Shelter - Bedford, Virginia
ReRun Virginia - Evington, Virginia
Roanoke Valley Horse Rescue - Hardy, Virginia
United States Equine Rescue League - Virginia and North Carolina
Washington
Hooved Animal Rescue of Thurston County - Thurston County, Washington
Hope For Horses - Sultan, Washington
People Helping Horses - Arlington, Washington
ReRun Washington - Washington
Sleepy Hollow Horse Rescue - Spokane, Washington
West Virginia
CANTER Mid-Atlantic - Communication Alliance to Network Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses. Can post off the track Thoroughbreds available, and post horses wanted here. Formerly known as CANTER West Virginia.
Crossed Sabres Second Wind Adoption
Wisconsin
American Standardbred Adoption Program aka ASAP - accepts other breeds as well - located in DeSoto, Wisconsin, but also serves Illinois, Iowa, Michigan and the surrounding area.
Central States Horse Rescue - Wisconsin
Midwest Horse Welfare Foundation - Stratford, Wisconsin
Bahamas
Abaco Wild Horse Fund - Abaco, Bahamas
Canada
PMU Foal Adoption Network - the US & Canada
Alberta
Bear Valley Rescue - Bear Valley, Alberta, Canada
Horse Rescue Ontario - trying to rescue horses from Alberta who are victims of the drought conditions there and bring them to Ontario.
Nova Scotia
Canadian Equine Protection Association - based in Nova Scotia but serves all of Canada .
Ontario
Equine Rescue Ranch - Paris, Ontario, Canada
Guelph Equine and Rescue Stable aka GEARS - Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Heaven Can Wait Equine Rescue - Cameron, Ontario, Canada
Horse Rescue Ontario - trying to rescue horses from Alberta who are victims of the drought conditions there and bring them to Ontario.
Passey's Horse Rescue - Ontario, Canada
Sasha's Legacy Equine Rescue - Northbrook, Ontario, Canada
Wild Fire Ranch - Burks Falls, Ontario, Canada
United Kingdom
British International League for the Protection of Horses
International League for the Protection of Horses
Moorecroft Racing Welfare Centre their goal - take thoroughbred racehorses which have finished their racing days, for whatever reason, and assess, re-school and ultimately rehome them. East Sussex, England.
New European Distressed Donkey Initiative
Willows Animal Sanctuary - Northeast Scotland
Here are links to listings of rescues by state and/or country, including addresses, phone numbers and sometimes email addresses of those that do not yet have websites:
Horse Welfare Organizations Listings