The manner in which a rescue group conducts itself is of vital importance.

All rescue organizations should have Bylaws and Policies (samples of which we will have online soon) they MUST follow for all donations, adoptions, volunteers, etc. Any discrepancies between what the rescue's Bylaws and/or Policies state and what the rescue actually does should be noted. There is simply very limited room for making "special rules for special circumstances". This practice is what often leads to differences of opinion between rescue members, supporters and officers themselves. A rescue group's vision must be clear and they must adhere strictly to all policies and procedures set forth when the group was founded. If amendments are made, they must be approved by all parties and incorporated into the "official" Bylaws, Policies and Rules of the group -- thus, such amendments become the official policy.

For our ERRNet Seal Of Approval, one of the highest criteria is following the procedures set forth for the rescue. All rescues have differences in their policies and procedures, but the important facts are the manner in which these policies and procedures are carried out. A group which makes rules "on the fly" is not a group which can be counted on to last for any length of time.

When a donor donates a horse to a rescue organization, generally the group makes promises and assurances to the donor that his/her horse will be cared for and monitored for a specific period of time, usually the horse's lifetime. It is of utmost importance to the donor, the horse donated and the reputation of the rescue (and those who run it) that any horses donated are given the exact consideration explained to the donor at the time the horse was received into the rescue group's possession. Likewise, any promises made to adopters of equines must be kept. If an adopter is unable to keep a horse they adopt and the rescue's policies dictate the horse must be returned to the rescue yet the group itself is not prepared to take the horse upon return, such is an organization not properly ready to do business.

If you have any questions about a specific rescue group and their policies or procedures, or if you have heard something negative about a certain group, be sure not only to speak or communicate personally with those in charge of the group itself, but also with present AND former donors and adopters to see if policies and procedures are being followed. For assistance in locating references, please do not hesitate to contact the ERRNet, we would be happy to help you.

 

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