The BLM places in adoption each year approximately 9,000 wild horses and burros, which are gathered from Western rangelands. In the past, our investigations found that some people who obtained large numbers of animals by using powers of attorney from others did so to resell the animals for profit. The proposed rule will help ensure that wild horses and burros are placed in good homes with people who value them.
Current regulations allow individuals to receive title to no more than four animals a year.
However, the rule also allows people to adopt animals on behalf of others using powers of attorney. This option would be removed from the regulations if the proposed rule becomes final. The rule provides for a 60-day comment period, which will end January 9, 1998. NW, Washington, DC 20240. The BLM manages about 42,000 wild horses and burros that roam public lands managed in the West under the Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act of 1971.