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ABOUT US
The Virginia Partnership for Horses is not a traditional rescue. Rather we facilitate a network of folks dedicated to equine welfare.
FAQs
Are you a 501c3 not-for-profit organization?
No. But we are in the process of applying for 501c3 status federally. We are a licensed Nonstock Corporation in the state of Virginia.
Do you accept donations?
At this time we only accept in-kind donations of material goods or services that we can distribute to our Rescue and Sanctuary Partners. If you are interested in a financial donation, please visit our directory of Virginia Rescues and Sanctuaries and choose a group that resonates with your values. You can also learn more about each rescue's status on the Accreditation page.
Who is in charge of the Virginia Partnership for Horses?
We strive to be a member-led community, meaning that we ask our Partners to help steer our efforts so that we can ultimately serve their individual missions best. That being said, we do have an active Board of Directors that meets every quarter and communicates between meetings as needed. We also have a wonderful panel of Equine Welfare Advisors who can attend our meetings and weigh in on issues as they arise.
What does the Virginia Partnership for Horses actually do?
There is a dual mission that the Virginia Partnership for Horses began this journey to accomplish.
The first and foremost mission is to encourage collaboration between rescue and sanctuary groups in Virginia so that they can support and empower one another. To go after this mission, we have facilitated monthly meetings, both virtual and in-person, and built an online resource center for the different groups to access.
The second mission is to champion all of our Partners and encourage Virginia equine enthusiasts to learn about the equine rescue community in the state. To fulfill this mission we have built this website, began publishing a newsletter, and have a handful of other marketing strategies pending.
How do you choose which groups become a Rescue or Sanctuary Partner?
At this time, the Virginia Partnership for Horses is a relatively open network of rescues and sanctuaries. When we launched in March 2024 we invited all the known equine rescues and sanctuaries across the state to opt into the Partnership. We have kept the door open as word continues to spread, we are happily adding to our network as more organizations have asked to opt in.
The elephant in the barn: how do I know if I can trust these rescues? Didn't Virginia have an unethical rescue not long ago?
Not just one bad rescue, we have unfortunately seen several unethical groups come and go within our borders. It's a misfortune we all deeply feel. Not only for the equines and other animals that were victims of those situations, but because of the mistrust these groups left in their wake. The truth is that Virginia is full of wonderful rescues and sanctuaries who work tirelessly through blood, sweat and tears for our equine population.
Even though we believe all of our Partners are vetted and uphold good standards of care, it is important for YOU to investigate ANY rescue (of any species) before committing your dollars and/or time. Social media, websites and personal references are all good methods of investigating. There are also national accreditations and affiliations that rescues can apply for that monitor their members to ensure integrity and welfare standards are met. You can learn about each of our Partners accreditation and affiliation status here.
Do you have another question that we didn't answer? Let us know!
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