Wild Horse & Burro Adoptions in Pauls Valley

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) holds monthly wild horse and burro adoptions at its facility in Pauls Valley, every second Tuesday from 8 a.m. to noon. The facility is located on the west side of I-35 at Exit 74 (Kimberlin Rd.). A mixed group of 70-80 animals is offered at each adoption, often including burros and young horses.
 
Under the authority of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971, the BLM manages tens of thousands of wild horses and burros on 259 million acres of public land out west. The goal of the program is to ensure that healthy herds thrive on healthy rangelands. When horse and burro populations exceed set management levels, the BLM physically removes animals from the range and makes them available to the public for adoption at events and facilities around the country.
 
The Pauls Valley facility serves as a resting point for animals arriving from the West and being shipped to adoption locations in the central and eastern United States. With 12 pastures stretching across 400 acres of land, the facility provides wild horses and burros a natural and safe environment until they are placed in new homes. The facility can hold a maximum of 600 animals. A drive-up interpretation center situated near the pastures allows visitors to view the animals as they leisurely roam and graze on the land.
 
Application approval is required to adopt. To qualify, one must be at least 18 with no record of animal abuse. In addition, adopters must have suitable facilities to provide animals with a good home. The minimum adoption fee is $125. An auction takes place on scheduled Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. to determine actual adoption fees for any animals sought by more than one
person. Following the single round of bidding, all adoptions are processed on a first-come, first-served basis for the flat $125 fee. All methods of payment are accepted. Visit www.blm.gov/nm or call toll-free 866-4-MUSTANGS (866-468-7826) to learn more."