ADOPTION
Only adopters with an approved Adoption Application will be considered to adopt a horse from Illinois Horse Rescue of Will County. Once the application has been processed, you will be contacted by phone. Upon an approved application, we will schedule an appointment for you to come in.

Please Note: Your application is good for 3 months should you choose to adopt an additional horse. 

APPLICATION / ADOPTION FEES
There is a $35.00 non-refundable fee to process this application.  You must be 18 years of age or older to apply.

Each horse has an adoption fee to be paid in full at the time of adoption. All fees paid are non-refundable and are considered a donation. It is to be understood that regardless of the reason and under no circumstance can the adoption fee be refunded, even if the adoption process has stopped or you decide to return the horse. Illinois Horse Rescue of Will County reserves the right to refuse adoption of any horse to any applicant (adopter) for any reason.

All adopted horse(s) must be given proper feed, abundant water supply, shelter, medical care, farrier care, wormer, vaccines on a regular basis and so on. 

DEATH or ILLNESS
Adopter agrees and understands should a life-threatening situation arise and the horse is suffering, a veterinarian’s advice is required. In the event, the horse has passed on from natural causes, old age or that it needs to be humanely euthanized please inform IHRWC within 24 hours.

Please have a licensed veterinarian send a statement stating the apparent cause of death and a certificate of Death within (14) days of deceased adopted equine. 

GIVING AWAY
Horses adopted from IHRWC are absolutely forbidden to be sold, given away, traded or used for breeding purposes, in doing so will be a violation of this adoption agreement/policy and will result in prosecution.

RELINQUISH
In the event that you are no longer able to care for the horse you have adopted from IHRWC,  we ask that you return the horse, fill out an equine relinquish form (so that we may update the horse's records) and pay the relinquish fee.  The fee is not negotiable.  This policy allows for the least traumatic transition for the horse.

BOARDING
IHRWC is happy to be able to offer you boarding at our facility. This is an excellent opportunity for new horse owners especially because you will be among many educated, experienced IHRWC volunteers that are always available to lend a helping hand or to answer any questions you may have.

FOLLOW UP
Illinois Horse Rescue of Will County requires that the new adopters submit clear full photos front, back and each side of the adopted horse twice a year due by March 1st and September 1st.

In addition to photos, we reserve the right to make random horse inspections to physically view the adopted horse.  Adopted horses are handled on a case by case basis and a visit may require one of our investigators to approach the residence to discuss the horse’s condition.

OWNERSHIP
All horses adopted from IHRWC are jointly owned by the adopter and IHRWC the adopter has to comply with all agreements and policies, submitting photos and/or passing all inspections.