Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28) today announced that the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will hold a wild horse and burro adoption here on September 25 and 26.

The animals to be adopted will be displayed at the Laredo International Fair and Exposition (LIFE Downs) and will consist of dozens of adult and yearling horses and burros that once roamed free on Western public lands. BLM occasionally removes excess animals from public lands and puts them up for adoption in order to maintain a healthy balance between herd size and available resources.

To adopt, one must be at least 18 and have no record of animal abuse. Adopters must have a minimum of 400 square feet of corral space per animal with free access to food, water and shelter. A six-foot corral fence is required for adult horses, five feet for yearlings and four-and-a-half feet for burros. All animals must be loaded in covered stock-type trailers with swing gates and sturdy walls and floors. BLM staff will be on hand to assist adopters through the application process.

All animals will be available for adoption for at least $125 (the minimum statutory amount). As an incentive, BLM pays a one-time $500 care-and-feeding allowance to adopters of horses at least four years old.

WHO: BLM, attendees of the Laredo International Fair and Exposition, Congressman Cuellar’s office

WHAT: BLM will be administering an adoption of excess wild horses and burros removed from federal lands.

WHERE: Laredo International Fair and Exposition (LIFE Downs) located at Hwy 59 East, Laredo, Texas 78043 -- From I-35 Exit 2 in Laredo, go east on U.S. Hwy 59 approx. 3 ½ miles to facility.

WHEN: Friday, September 25 – 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, September 26 – 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

For more information on BLM adoption programs and incentives, please visit www.blm.gov/nm/whb or contact Paul McGuire, BLM Public Affairs Specialist, by phone at 405-826-3036 or via email at pmcguire@blm.gov.

For other information, please contact Congressman Cuellar’s District Press Secretary Rafael Benavides by phone at 956-286-6007 or via email at Rafael.Benavides@mail.house.gov.