07/19/05 Wild horse adoption program still going

American Rancher July 19, 2005 Bureau of Land Management Director Kathleen Clarke wants the country to know that the Wild Horse and Burro adoption program is ongoing. Clarke says she is concerned that the public may confuse changes in BLM's sale authority with the adoption program., which has not seen any changes. Clarke: "We want to make sure that we are not discouraging the public from either program. They are different. They are both important. They have different purposes and they appeal to different interests. But we are seeing some decline in our adoption program, which had been on the rise. It is of great concern. We have wonderful young, adoptable horses that are looking to become a part of your family's lifestyle. They are wonderful horses for riding and enjoyment. Then we have other horses that just need a home. We're appealing to the public and the ranching and farming communities to step up to the plate and help us take care of these animals as well." Clark says the BLM is able to resume its sales authority after revising its bill of sale and pre-sale negotiation procedures. Clarke: "The buyer has to define their intent and they have to assure us that their intent is to provide good long term homes for these animals and that they would not send them off to any kind of slaughter situation." Nearly 32-thousand wild horses roam the rangeland in ten Western states. I'm Bob Hoff.