Disclaimer: Please note that none of the information contained in these files is meant to be professional information. Consult your vet, attorney or other professional for their advice. To: equinerescue@imagicomm.com From: "schrr" Subject: EQ-ResQ: Return Fees? Date: Wed, 29 Mar 2000 10:48:40 -0800 Dear Fellow Rescuers: I need some advice.....We have a clause in our adoption policy, that if the adopted horse can't be taken care of then the adopted horse must be return to us. The horse cannot be sold, transferred, sent to auction etc.....Well, this past month we have gotten back 4 of our horses. One because they family can't take care of the horse financially, their business went under and finacinally they can't afford it...The other families, just didn't want the horse anymore. One of the horses had been gone for one year. They didn't want the horse because it didn't win a blue ribbon at fair...That is a very sore spot with me... We have thought about charging a return fee for people like that. For at least board for the first month...I don't know...We have never had this happen before...Don't get me wrong these people and very nice and responsible horse people. They all past with flying colors when it came to adoption time. We are glad that they are adhering to the policy, and this hasn't happened in 6 years, I guess there is always a first. So any suggestions are welcome....E-mail me privately, so we don't clog up the list, unless, Pat would like to discuss this issue. Teri Ferguson Second Chance Horse Rescue Ranch www.washingtonhorserescue.org ========== "schrr" ====== Date: Wed, 29 Mar 2000 13:10:51 -0700 (MST) To: equinerescue@imagicomm.com From: Pat Calloway Subject: Re: EQ-ResQ: Return Fees? At 10:48 AM 3/29/00 -0800, schrr wrote: >I need some advice.....We have a clause in our adoption policy, that if the >adopted horse can't be taken care of then the adopted horse must be return >to us. Sounds like what most responsible rescues do. >We have thought about charging a return fee for people like that How many would pay and how many would just dump the horses elsewhere? That's the bottom line. Is it worth it to get the money out of one or two if another person just dumps the horse? Perhaps better screening to avoid those who return horses who don't win blue ribbons? Can't see how you'd really get it out of those who are having financial problems and are trying to do the right thing by giving the horse back rather than either taking it to auction or neglecting him/her - seems like a punishment for doing the right thing to me, although I guess if it's in the contract that they should be aware of it. >.E-mail me privately, so we don't clog up the >list, unless, Pat would like to discuss this issue. Since it's on the topic of EQUINE RESCUE, feel free to discuss on list. Pat Calloway, Equine Rescue Listowner epona@concentric.net (AZ) http://www.crt-stable.com/equinerescue ========== Pat Calloway ====== To: equinerescue@imagicomm.com From: LLusk58919@aol.com Subject: Re: EQ-ResQ: Return Fees? Date: Wed, 29 Mar 2000 18:12:02 EST You know you really can,t blame the people who had financial problems,but the person who returned the horse because it DID NOT win a blue ribbon ,I believe they need to have a fee charged.The contract should have a clause in it for people who can and cannot afford the horses. Thanks Lisa ========== LLusk58919@aol.com ====== To: equinerescue@imagicomm.com From: CamMalu@aol.com Subject: Re: EQ-ResQ: Return Fees? Date: Wed, 29 Mar 2000 19:25:45 EST In a message dated 3/29/00 12:59:19 PM Mountain Standard Time, schrr@gte.net writes: << We have thought about charging a return fee for people like that. For at least board for the first month...I don't know..>> I wouldn't do that. The reason is that if the people know they will be charged to bring them back then who knows where the horses will end up? I know they signed a contract to do so but unless you want to spend big bucks taking them to court for selling the animal I would just be glad they had the courtesy to care enough to see the animal came back to you. There are a ton of people looking for rescue horses here by the way: MarvWalker.com Animal Adoption Page< /A> Camilla ALERRT A Longears Rescue Relay Team ========== CamMalu@aol.com ====== To: equinerescue@imagicomm.com From: dlinkous@radix.net Subject: Re: EQ-ResQ: Return Fees? Date: Wed, 29 Mar 2000 20:03:57 -0500 >You know you really can,t blame the people who had financial problems,but the >person who returned the horse because it DID NOT win a blue ribbon ,I >believe >they need to have a fee charged.The contract should have a clause in it for >people >who can and cannot afford the horses. It's pretty standard for a rescue to charge an adoption fee that is not refundable. So, anyone returning a horse for any reason is being "punished" by not having that money returned. They are out the adoption fee plus all the money they spent to care for the horse, so they did not even get a "free lease". I really think it is unrealistic to think they would pay a fee to return the horse... such a fee could easily cause them to simply dump the horse at the nearest auction instead. Remember, public relations is important to a rescue, as it relies on public support. Sometimes you just have to bite your tongue and do what is best for the horse -- take it back. And next time you adopt it out, you will be more wary about people's reasons for adopting that or any other horse. Screening is difficult at best, but you do get better at it. And *those* people sure will be on your "never adopt to them" list. Diana ========== dlinkous@radix.net ====== To: equinerescue@imagicomm.com From: "slyshot" Subject: Re: EQ-ResQ: Return Fees? Date: Wed, 29 Mar 2000 20:20:08 -0500 We have never charged a return fee, no matter the reason the equine came back to us. We figure that if the adopter can't keep the horse any longer it is better off with us. Also, most of the time we have no problem finding a new adopter for the animal in pretty quick time. In some cases we have called previous adopters we know are thinking about getting another horse, if we think it would be a good match. As others have said, I think charging the return fee, especially if only in certain cases, just opens up too many cans of worms including possible lawsuits, bad PR, ill will. I know it is particularly galling to get a horse back for no good reason, esp. after a long time, but you just have to get philosophical about it and realize that it is impossible to completely guard against, and go on from there. Financially speaking, we don't factor come-backs into our budget in terms of anticipating it happening and planning for it but for those who have very limited space maybe some sort of *slush funds* (yeah, right, I know, who has extra money?) could be set aside. Maybe write a grant application for funds specifically to be used for only the purpose of caring for come-backs until they are re-adopted? Klondike (Cris May) Days End Farm Horse Rescue (MD) http://www.defhr.org ========== "slyshot" ====== To: equinerescue@imagicomm.com From: "schrr" Subject: EQ-ResQ: Return Fee Date: Wed, 29 Mar 2000 18:34:48 -0800 Dear Fellow Rescuers: Thank You so much for the input....We are happy that the adoptive parents at least are abiding to the Terms of Adoption...It is just so frustrating..You screen and screen, only want the best for Our Babies and then for a stupid reason, not winning a blue ribbon, they don't want the horse. The family in financial straits can't be blamed..They gave their horse a lot of love for 3 years... Thanks again....for the words of wisdom...You all are the greatest. Teri Ferguson Second Chance Horse Rescue Ranch www.washingtonhorserescue.org ========== "schrr" ====== To: equinerescue@imagicomm.com From: Martha Nungesser Subject: EQ-ResQ: Return Fees? Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2000 09:25:08 -0500 (EST) Hi Teri, Regarding a return fee, I wouldn't do it for the reasons others have listed. However, one thing you could do is to suggest that they make a donation of food, supplies you need, tack, etc., and then either use them or have them available for future adopters to buy or take for free. For the people who return horses for poor reasons, that will substitute for return fees, and if it's voluntary and handled strictly as a donation, no one should feel put out. Will you have any trouble placing these returned horses? Martha Florida ========== Martha Nungesser ====== To: equinerescue@imagicomm.com From: Faith Vis Subject: EQ-ResQ: Return Fees? Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2000 11:08:00 -0400 More like the rescue should pay a reward, say half the adoption fee, as an incentive to the adopter not to dump the horse without letting you know. You will never get paid to take the horse back, especially if the people are having difficulties. Maybe they could be asked to make a donation in whatever amount they can afford. Faith ========== Faith Vis ====== Disclaimer: Please note that none of the information contained in these files is meant to be professional information. Consult your vet, attorney or other professional for their advice.