Euthanasia Policy - As of January, 2023

One of the most difficult parts of our work is making the decision to euthanize a horse we have tried to help. We consider Safe Harbor Sanctuary a “low kill” rescue. After ten years, we understand that there are specific circumstances when, despite our best efforts, we cannot help any more or we have arrived too late in the horse’s life to provide any more than a peaceful passage.

We follow AAEP guidelines when making the decision to humanely euthanize an animal.

This includes:

• A horse that is in daily, unmanageable pain.

Equiox, Bute, or oral supplements are used to manage pain, but sometimes conditions like DSLD or arthritis progress to a point a good quality of life is no longer possible.

• A horse for whom a surgical outcome is grim, or whose survival chances are less than 50%

• A horse with cancer or other illness that can no longer maintain weight/body condition, or whose normal bodily functions are compromised.

• A horse that is a hazard to its handlers due to a medical or behavioral issue that is not manageable or treatable.

In rescue, we have most often seen this in fully blind horses that cannot adjust to their condition and panic, injuring themselves and their owners or handlers due to fear.

The decision to euthanize is always difficult, and is always made after consultation with an equine veterinarian. Administration of euthanasia medications by a licensed veterinarian is our chosen method of assisting an animal cross over. In rare, very specific circumstances, a well-placed gunshot to the brain performed under AAEP specifications, is necessary and only performed by a professional. 

Additional information

In circumstances of an owner reaching out for assistance or ‘intake’ of a horse in need of euthanasia under the above criteria, Safe Harbor Sanctuary provides this service via our “Charlie’s Fund” grant program. The owner schedules with their veterinarian, or we connect them to a veterinarian in their area, and we cover the cost of euthanasia. We believe it is far more humane and comfortable for an animal to cross over in the comfort of the home it has known, surrounded by loved ones, than to put a horse (or other livestock animal) through the stresses of transport and unfamiliar surroundings when euthanasia is inevitable.

In circumstances of a Safe Harbor Sanctuary foster or sanctuary resident requiring euthanasia, we fully disclose to the best of our ability the reasons why the decision was made, including diagnostics, vet bills, etc. When possible or if the situation dictates, a necropsy is performed which provide detailed diagnostics.

We never euthanize for space in our program, lack of training, or based on a horse’s age.

We maintain a few special sanctuary fosters for cases of horses over age 30 or with conditions which make them ‘unadoptable’ but pasture sound for some amount of good quality of life.

Intake Policy - As of January, 2023

Safe Harbor Sanctuary follows responsible intake procedures. Unfortunately, this means that sometimes we will say “no” to an intake if we do not have the financial or foster capacity to care for added animals. Our priorities for intake are:

• After the Track Standardbreds. Any Standardbred in need of a soft landing will be accepted to a foster farm or wait-listed and assisted based on an individual’s circumstances. It is our policy to prioritize and provide a place for retired racehorses and those in need of a career post-Amish life. We do not “bail” horses from Facebook horse traders. Please review our blog on this matter for any questions regarding this policy.

• Law enforcement seizures and surrenders. This may include horses or livestock picked up running at large or horses or livestock seized due to their condition. We provide individual intake assessments, complete with photographs and veterinary documentation, and we hold animals through court proceedings, sometimes up to a year. Over the years, we have assisted with cases in Davidson, Giles, Macon, Robertson, Rutherford, Shelby, Sumner, Wilson, and White Counties.

• Horses in specific, sensitive circumstances that would not be ‘safe’ on the open market. These horses are accepted on a case-by-case basis, as determined by our board, and potentially with special arrangements between Safe Harbor and the owner to make assistance possible outside of traditional intake.

• We do not accept routine owner surrenders. It is an owner’s responsibility to vet new homes, obtain a first right of refusal or acceptable contract between seller and buyer, and ensure their horse a stable new home. (See blog on responsible rehoming for more information.) There are plenty of good buyers and good owners out there and in many cases, any horse owner is capable of finding a great new placement for their beloved animal. Anyone, at any time, is welcome to utilize our “Friends Helping Friends” networking system; posting on this Facebook group allows us to share to our regular page of 16,000 followers and in our e-newsletter received by 2,000 supporters.

• If you are in need of castration services prior to selling an ungelded colt or stallion, please apply for a Charlie’s Fund grant or look for our next Castration Clinic. We will gladly assist with the cost of this procedure.

• Safe Harbor Sanctuary is a lifetime safety net rescue organization. This means that any time, for any reason, we will accept the return of a horse adopted from us or adopted under our contract.