ADOPTION PROCESS

It is the goal of Equine League of Southern Indiana, Inc. (ERLSI) to attempt to place each horse in the home best suited to it's needs. In addition, horses adopted from ERLSI cannot be used for breeding, be re-sold, given away, relocated from the original approved facility without the permission of ERLSI. In the event that the placement does not work out for any reason, ERLSI requires that the horse be returned to us. Adopted horses must go to a home that has at least one other horse. Horses are herd animals and require companionship of at least one other horse.

Before any horse may be adopted from ERLSI, the following procedures must be followed:

• The prospective adopter must fill out an adoption application and sent to ERLSI along with a $10.00 application fee. 
• Once the application has been received by ERLSI, ERLSI Staff will contact the references listed on the adoption application and then schedule an appointment to inspect the property where the horse will be kept. The property being inspected may be a boarding facility but must be staffed by personnel that are well informed in the care, management and feeding of horses. Fencing, buildings and pastures must be safe, clean and free of debris. A field with a run-in shed is preferred. Adopter must, however, have the availability of a stall in case of illness or injury. If an adopter would prefer the horse be kept at their own facility they will be required to follow the inspection guidelines and have the necessary skills to properly care for the horse. See Inspection Guidelines.
• Following an acceptable facility inspection and reference check, the application will be evaluated, the information reviewed and a final decision will be made. ERLSI may approve or deny final adoption . ERLSI reserves the right to deny adoption for any reason, in its sole discretion, and is not obligated to state any reason.
• Once the applicant is approved, they may call to schedule an appointment to work with the horse they are interested in adopting. At the time of the appointment the adopter must sign and complete fully a ERLSI Release Form. The purpose of this appointment is to ensure the safety of both the prospective adopter and the horse, and to allow ERLSI an opportunity to evaluate compatibility of the horse and rider.
• Once the potential adopter is determined capable of working safely with the horse alone, he/she must schedule no less than two more visits to work with the horse. ERLSI may require, at any time, additional sessions.

  Adoptions will not be processed if applicant is not found to be compatible with the equine they have selected.

When all requirements are met, and preliminary adoption procedures have been satisfied, ERLSI will require the following at the time of adoption:

• Completion of an Adoption Agreement, with terms and conditions as ERLSI may determine.
• Payment in full of the adoption donation is required at the time of adoption and is non-refundable.  The adoption donation may be paid by cash, or certified check. Personal checks are not accepted.
• Upon final adoption of the horse, ERLSI reserves the right to transport the adopted horse to the adopter's facility for a nominal fee of $50.
• ERLSI reserves the right to conduct unscheduled follow-up visits on the adopted horse and the facility at ERLSI's discretion and at minimum of 2 times within the first year.
• Upon placement of a horse, ERLSI may require the adopter to submit a health statement on their other horse(s) from the adopter's veterinarian and farrier.

All donations are non refundable, and are used to fund the
rehabilitation of future abused, neglected or unwanted horses sheltered at the farm.