Hooved Animal Humane Society
Our Mission
The Hooved Animal Humane Society (HAHS) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, founded in 1971 by six concerned and committed citizens. It is HAHS’ mission to promote the humane treatment of hooved animals through education, legislation, investigation, and if necessary, legal intervention (impoundment). In addition, we provide physical rehabilitation to animals that have endured severe neglect and abuse and adopt them out to loving forever homes. HAHS was the first humane society established in the United States to focus specifically on large animals, primarily horses. Unlike small animals (dogs and cats), hooved animals had little representation until the formation of the Hooved Animal Humane Society. In 1973, HAHS was the driving force behind the passage of “The Humane Care for Animals Act.” Through the Illinois Department of Agriculture, this Act gives HAHS the legal authority to investigate claims of abuse and neglect and intervene when owners do not comply with a notice to remedy a situation. The Illinois Humane Care for Animals Act is recognized as the legislative model for other states when drafting similar laws. Since the organization was founded over 50 years ago, it has responded to thousands of calls requesting investigations of facilities housing horses in dire need of help. With the assistance and expertise of volunteer state-licensed investigators, we can respond to calls within a short period of time. Our farm is in Woodstock, Illinois, on 35 acres with five barns, including a rehabilitation barn, and an education center, which also houses our office. HAHS receives no federal or state support. We are totally dependent upon contributions from fundraising, memberships, donations, grants, and endowment gifts.
Adoption Policy
Our adoption approval process generally takes 1-3 weeks; the first step is completing our online application and providing us the requested information about your home or boarding barn setup, and your goals for your new horse. After we receive your application, we will contact you for a phone interview to chat a bit. We would then set up a time to have you come to the farm in Woodstock, IL to meet the horse you are interested in. The next step would be completing the background check form that is attached and returning it to us with $60 fee to HAHS via email or regular USPS mail. We accept cash, check, credit or debit card (you can call us and give us the number over the phone), and Paypal. This $60 fee is non-refundable. We will call your vet, farrier, and other references, and figure out a date for a member of our staff to visit your home or boarding barn for a property inspection. If everything checks out, we will complete the adoption contract, process the adoption fee, and coordinate a date for your new horse to come home. We ask for annual veterinary record updates (vax, dental, farrier, and any other information (chiro, supplements, etc.) for five years after the adoption, and always look forward to receiving photos and stories about our adopted horses and their adventures in their new homes. We sometimes share these photos and stories with our donors and supporters in our Hoofprints magazine.
