How much does it cost to adopt a wild horse or burro?
The minimum, or base, adoption fee for each wild horse or burro is $125. Mares and jennies (female burros) adopted with their unweaned foal are $250. Most adoption events use competitive bidding to establish the adoption fee. The base adoption fee will apply for adoption events using a lottery draw, or a first-come, first-served method. Since approval of competitive bid regulations in March 1997, the average adoption fee has been about $185 for horses, $135 for burros and $160 for mules. Adoption fees are non-refundable. However, if within the first six months of adoption the animal dies or needs to be destroyed because of a pre-existing serious medical condition, the BLM will provide you with another animal. You are responsible for transporting the replacement animal to your home or facility.
