HARPS Adoptions
These animals are available for adoption and are currently living at HARPS. If you are interested in adoption, please read our adoption criteria (see below), and contact our office at 847-382-0503 to set up an appointment to visit the farm.
| Cowboy | Adopted! |
 Becky
|
Adopted! |
 Elvis |
Adopted! |
 Darla
|
Adopted! |
 |
Adopted! |
 Betsey
|
Adopted! |
 Anna |
Adopted! |
 |
Click Here to go to ADOPTION OF THE HEART |
When we interview adoptive families, we hope to create lifelong partnerships for our animals and their new family. There are a few things that should be taken into consideration before making the decision to adopt an animal.
- How old is the animal you would like to adopt, and what kind of training does
he/she need?
- Does the horse require any special medication or treatment?
- Is the horse physically capable of the kind of riding you would like to do?
- Do you have enough experience to handle the horse you've chosen?
HARPS Adoption Policies
Prior to allowing any potential adopter to become an actual adopter of a horse, we send out an investigator to evaluate and approve the potential stabling facility and property. If the investigator finds that the stabling and property meet our standards, there will be a second, on-site inspection of the facilities, combined with an evaluation of the potential adopter's knowledge and genuine concern for the well-being of the animal.
- In order to qualify for adopting a horse, goat or pig, you should/and:
- already own a horse and have horse experience
- maintain the animal(s) on your own property where you reside
- boarders are considered on a case-by-case basis
- be 18 years of age or over
- preferably live in the State of Illinois or nearby
- out of state applicants will be considered on a case-by-case basis
- Have a barn or lean-to, safe and proper fencing (board or wire mesh is appropriate--not barbed wire), and adequate water/feed supply (including a way to keep water from freezing in the winter) is required. An on-site visit will be made by a HARPS representative before an application is approved.
- The adoptive owner(s) must provide the name, phone number and address of their veterinarian, farrier, and person who will care for the animals when the owner is away.
- Periodic checks may be made of adopted animal(s) by a HARPS representative for the lifetime of the horse.
- Any animal adopted from HARPS should not be moved to a new location or leased or loaned to another person without prior approval from HARPS.
- HARPS cannot guarantee any animal(s) as to its disposition or training. Animals which come into our custody are usually young and untrained. Due to their usually debilitated condition, temperament generally changes with proper care. HARPS will include with each adoption a complete file on the animal(s), which will explain how the animal came to be on the farm, what veterinary care it received while it was here and what the staff has personally noticed about the animal's disposition and training.
Conditions of approved adoptions
- As stated in the adoption contract, the adoptive owner may not sell the animal for one year; in the event that the adopter becomes unable to keep an adopted animal during the first year after adoption, the animal must be returned to HARPS for a refund of the adopter's money.
- As stated in the adoption contract, if the animal is sold by the adopter more than one year after the adoption, HARPS must be given (a) the right of first refusal, and (b) the opportunity to evaluate the prospective buyer's facilities.
ADOPTION FORM (click here) Fill out this form and submit online, or print and mail in. Forms are also available in the office at the farm.
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ADOPTABLE DONATED ANIMALS
Many horse-owners have expressed interest in donation valuable, useable and saleable animals to HARPS, so as to help the organization generate revenue for the ongoing operation of our facility. These owners feel confident in the ability of HARPS to secure suitable homes for their horses, based on our placement and screening policy (including matching adopter's skill level with the animal's temperament and level of training).
Prior to allowing any potential adopter to become an actual adopter of a horse, we send out an investigator to evaluate and approve the potential stabling facility and property. If the investigator finds that the stabling and property meet our standards, there will be a second, on-site inspection of the facilities, combined with an evaluation of the potential adopter's knowledge and genuine concern for the well-being of the animal.
Many horse owners who are ready to relinquish ownership of their animals are reluctant to go through a normal sales process or to sell their horses to a horse dealer/sale barn, as they realize that under those circumstances, they will have no way to guarantee the horse a good home. by donating the horse to HARPS, they can feel more secure about the quality of their horse's life with a new owner, for four reasons:
- Because of the HARPS placement and screening policy
- Because of a condition included in the HARPS contract of adoption, to the effect that HARPS maintains the right to request the return of the horse within a year from the date of adoption, in the event that we do not feel that it is in the best interest of the horse to stay with its adoptive owner.
- Because it is also a condition of each HARPS adoption that the adoptive owner may not sell the animal for one year; in the event that the adopter becomes unable to keep an adopted animal during the first year after adoption, the animal must be returned to HARPS for a refund of the adopter's money.
- Because of a clause in the HARPS adoption contract that expressly states that
if the animal is sold by the adopter more than one year after the adoption,
HARPS must be given (a) the right of first refusal, and (b) the opportunity to
evaluate the prospective buyer's facilities.
HARPS can also assure the donor of an animal that the
animal's new owner will be selected first on the basis of the ability to
provide the animal with circumstances most conductive to its mental health and
physical welfare, and only second on the basis of the amount bid or offered for
the animal. The highest bid does not necessarily represent the best home, and
it is the policy of HARPS to secure the best possible home for the animal.
If the donor wants to secure a tax deduction for the value
of the donated animal, it is the obligation of the person donating the horse to
arrange to have the horse evaluated and appraised by three reputable
trainers/dealers for that purpose. HARPS will not perform appraisals related to
tax deductions.Please contact our office for further information regarding
adoption 847-382-0503.
ADOPTION FORM (click here) Fill out this form and submit online, or print and mail in. Forms are also available in the office at the farm.