| An important cornerstone of our work to protect America’s wild herds is our investigations into the Bureau of Land Management’s costly and cruel Wild Horse and Burro Program. Through this work, we aim to pull back the curtain on the grim realities these federally protected animals face daily. We can’t continue this work without you. Will you chip in right now to fuel our investigative work through the end of the year?
Our multi-year investigation into the federal government’s Adoption Incentive Program (AIP) continues, and the most recent findings are deeply concerning. Since 2020, more than 2,100 Bureau of Land Management (BLM) horses and burros have been dumped in kill pens — a distressing outcome we cannot ignore.
The main driver behind this influx of horses and burros in slaughter auctions across the country is the AIP’s cash incentive: a $1,000 payment given to private individuals to adopt up to four unhandled, untrained wild horses or burros each year.
So far, our investigation has confirmed the following:
- AWHC obtained identifying brand information for 855 of the 2,100 animals.
- Of those, 603 horses and burros were originally adopted through the AIP.
- ONLY 29 animals have been verified as not part of the AIP.
- 974 animals remain unidentifiable due to obstruction of their brands by the kill pens.
- 520 animals have pending Freedom of Information Act requests awaiting BLM response to confirm their AIP status.
It has been clear since the start that the AIP is nothing more than a pipeline to slaughter. Our investigative work continues to not only prove this but reveal how significant the problem really is.
More disturbing is the BLM’s lack of accountability in addressing the core issue, the cash incentives. The agency continues to wash its hands of any responsibility — all while failing to implement meaningful reforms to protect and manage American wild herds.
We cannot allow this disastrous cash incentive program to continue endangering the lives of hundreds — if not thousands — of these innocent animals.
That’s why AWHC has been working day in and day out in the field, in courts, and on Capitol Hill to hold the BLM accountable, but we need your help. Will you donate to help us STOP the cash incentives for the AIP?
Thank you for your support of our programs, like our investigations work. With your help, we’ve not only been able to prove the AIP has created a slaughter pipeline, but also save mustangs and burros from slaughter auctions across the country. Our investigative work hinges on the support of advocates like you.
Onward,
Team AWHC |
