BLM slashes fees to adopt some mares, geldings

The Bureau of Land Management is slashing its fees for people who wish to adopt certain mares and geldings during November and December.

Normally, the charge is $125 per wild horse or burro adopted. But the agency recently announced that for mares of at least four years the payment will be only $25 each during this month. In December, the fee for geldings drops to the same level.

Most of the mares are believed to be pregnant.

The BLM's total wild horse and burro budget was about $37 million in the 2006 fiscal year. More than half of that goes to pay for maintaining the animals in holding facilities. The agency is eager to move more of the animals to good adoptive homes.

Two BLM wild horse and burro centers will participate: one near Butterfield Canyon at 8605 W. 12600 South, Herriman, the other at Delta, 350 W. 500 North. Telephone numbers for the sites are 801-561-4632 or toll-free 877-224-3956 for the Herriman center, and 435-743-3100 for the Delta facility.

Adoptions at both can occur on weekdays, although the BLM is encouraging people to call ahead to ensure the gates are open. A special event is planned Saturday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Salt Lake facility.

"Both facilities also have many beautiful younger horses and burros that are available," says the release. They will be available for the standard $125 fee.