Resources for Rescues: A Home for Every Horse

Rescues often rely on support from outside financial resources. While this need isn’t a surprise to anyone, finding that aid can be tricky. We spoke with two founders to get the inside track on the best ways to position a rescue and top tips to generate funding that keeps your sanctuary on top of expenses.

Kathleen Bobbio founded the Virginia Partnership for Horses, which is made up of 25 equine rescue and sanctuary partners that collaborate to improve welfare for Virginia’s equine community. The partnership encourages networking between the state’s rescues and sanctuaries to support and empower one another. Their website offers owner resources and welfare insights, and the partnership also offers a direct placement service for people surrendering horses.

Paulette Brown is the president and founder of ReDux Equine Rescue in Colbert, Georgia. Brown began by taking in surrendered horses on her own, but when her herd outgrew her capacity, she founded ReDux with a mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and reeducate horses so they may find safe and loving homes.

Here, Bobbio and Brown share their experiences and expertise in securing funding and support.

Tip 1: Build Your Reputation

This might be the most important part of your funding journey. Your position in your community and involvement with accredited equine groups sets the tone for your sanctuary and puts you in a positive, credible, trusted position, which can lead to opportunities. Many resource groups require referrals and do site checks to ensure that they’re partnering with reputable rescues.

“We don’t accredit rescues, but we do have a process in place to be represented by the Virginia Partnership for Horses,” Bobbio said. “One of our board members or I do a site visit to ensure that there aren’t any red flags, we require a reference from a veterinarian, and we ask for written confirmation that there’s no history of abuse.”

Most support organizations require similar background checks to tap into their resources. Additionally, a positive reputation positions your rescue for support from your community.

Tip 2: Grants Aren’t for Day-to-Day Operations

“Many rescues reach out wanting to know where to find grants,” Bobbio shared. “But grants don’t really exist for daily functions for most rescues. You need to have day-to-day expenses built into your business plan and budget. Many well-established rescues and sanctuaries have obtained national accreditations (Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, and the EQUUS Foundation), and general funding might be available through these accreditations. The beautiful thing here is that achieving and maintaining these accreditations requires dedicated effort, all while promoting sustainability and best practices so that the most resolute groups receive funding.”

Grants are offered for things like biosecurity and non-routine veterinary care, but not “safety nets” such as hay and feed.

Brown agreed. “People ask how we can financially do this,” she said. “Every dollar that comes in goes to the rescue. You must constantly fund-raise, acquire monthly donors, and you run lean—but not too lean. Every dollar must be traceable and for a specific use.”

Tip 3: Build Your Network—and Use It

Opportunities for networking are extensive in the horse community; it just takes effort to find them and then use those contacts and organizations to your benefit. For example, the Virginia Partnership for Horses offers a network of service providers and rescue supporters.

“I tell people, I built this on the back of collaboration that’s been going on in Virginia for a long time,” Bobbio shared about the Virginia Partnership for Horses. Before Partnership, there was a private Facebook group that many of the rescues used. Find something like that in your region—or start one yourself.

Brown has aligned ReDux with national organizations like A Home For Every Horse, the ASPCA, the United Horse Coalition and others. She also participates in private Facebook groups, mentorships, and workshop opportunities.

“In 2022 or 2023 we were invited to a mentoring program,” Brown said. “My right-hand volunteer and I spent five days with them learning everything from the basics of social media and marketing to horse nutrition. We met some great resources that have been part of rescues for a long time. I gained mentors that have been in the industry 20-plus years.”

Brown also suggested looking into educational webinars, such as those offered by A Home For Every Horse.

Tip 4: Be Persistent

When you see an opportunity for support, go for it. Don’t assume many other rescues have done the work to earn that funding.

“I might see something online and wonder if I should apply because so many other people have commented on it or liked it,” Brown admitted. “Of all the people who comment on a post, only a small portion actually do the work to apply.”

About A Home for Every Horse

Programs like A Home for Every Horse exist to help rescues in their missions, providing feed, products, grants, wellness support and education. Part of the Equine Network Foundation, it has helped place more than 17,000 equines, has 459 rescues in its network, has facilitated the donation of more than 3,500 tons of feed, and provided more than 1,800 blankets.

A Home for Every Horse proudly supports the United Horse Coalition, which offers resources for all rescues as well as horse owners. UHC recently added Equine Lifeline to its website to offer rescues and horse owners essential resources and trusted guidance regarding emergency and transition support, end-of-life guidance, and welfare and prevention advice. Its core purpose is to reduce the number of equines entering the slaughter pipeline, support responsible stewardship, provide alternatives to abandonment or unsafe rehoming, and strengthen collaboration across the equine welfare community. Learn more at unitedhorsecoalition.org.

This content was provided by A Home For Every Horse, a resource for nonprofit horse rescues, sanctuaries, and care facilities. Rescue organizations involved with A Home For Every Horse are eligible for many benefits from program sponsors. It’s only thanks to its generous sponsors—Purina Horse Feed, Absorbine, WeatherBeeta, and Chewy—that A Home For Every Horse is able to provide necessary resources to more than 600 horse rescues per year. Learn more at ahomeforeveryhorse.com.

Watch more: Browse the full playlist library on Horse&Rider OnDemand.