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ABOUT US

The Virginia Partnership for Horses is not a traditional rescue.

Our mission is to facilitate a network of folks dedicated to equine welfare so that through statewide collaboration and resource sharing we can keep more horses safe. 

FAQs

Are you a 501c3 not-for-profit organization?

Yes! Our 501(c)3 Tax Exemption letter can be viewed here.

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 achieve this mission we
 
  • Facilitate monthly meetings, both virtual and in-person
  • Provide microgrants for networking opportunities and community-building events
  • Curate and share financial resources
  • Have built an online resource center for our Partners 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
  • ​Publish a monthly newsletter for statewide distribution with welfare highlights
  • Have established the Virginia Direct Placement Program to assist VA rescues and sanctuaries with the burden of owner surrenders and help owners find safe landings for their beloved equines

How do you choose which groups become a Rescue or Sanctuary Partner?

When we launched in March 2024 we invited all the known equine rescues and sanctuaries across the state to opt into the Partnership. At the request of our Partners, the Partnership Board of Directors established an intake protocol for new Partner on March 23, 2025 that involves vet references, facility visits and an in-person interview.

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. Third-party accreditation, financial transparency, and personal references are all good methods of investigating.
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Do you have another question that we didn't answer? Let us know!

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