Frequently Asked Questions
You are called "Old Friends Canada", does that mean you only help older animals? We help horses, donkeys and mules of all ages. Our name reflects how we feel about animals, that they are all friends. It also reflects how we feel about the horses that arrive at our rescue, that they are long time friends in need of love, care and compassion. We want them and everyone who visits, volunteers, donates and adopts to feel as valued as an old friend.
My circumstances have changed and I am no longer able to provide and care for my horse. Can you help? We are so sorry you are facing such struggles. We are not able to offer any financial assistance as all our funds go to provide for the horses already in our care. We have limited space so whether we would be able to take in your horse would depend on our capacity. We do have a waiting list and we will want to know what efforts you have made to find your horse a suitable new family. Please reach out to us so we can discuss your situation further. If we are able to take in your horse we do have a surrender fee which helps cover the costs of their care while they are with us. If the fee is beyond your ability to pay we can discuss other arrangements.
What do I do if I suspect a horse is being abused, neglected or has been abandoned? It is a very difficult thing to come across an animal that is suffering. Unfortunately, we do not have any legal authority to intervene. We urge you to contact BCSPCA Animal Helpline and report the situation and your concerns. If you are outside of BC contact the appropriate office in your jurisdiction.
Once a new horse arrives are they seen by a vet right away? Actually, it depends on the horse. Sometimes horses are surrendered to us from loving, devoted owners who took very good care of them. They were just no longer able to provide for them and trusted us to find them their new family. If the horse comes with reliable veterinary records that confirm their vaccinations and worming are up to date and the horse is not suffering from any injury or disease then they are not seen by a vet until and unless it becomes necessary. All horses are evaluated by a vet before they are available for adoption.
Do you ever have to euthanize a horse? We take in horses regardless of their health condition, even if the only relief that can be given is the Last Act of Kindness. We will not prolong the suffering of any animal when what is best for them is humane euthanasia. We do not make these decisions lightly and they are always made based on veterinary evaluations and recommendations.
Can I sponsor a horse? Absolutely! We love it when our horses have sponsors that help with the cost of their care. Our sponsorship program starts at $50 a month and you can choose which horse you want to sponsor. Because many of the horses at our rescue have come from from situations of neglect, they often have special care needs. For that reason, some of our horses have multiple sponsors. We believe the more love the better!
How do I adopt a horse? If you see a horse on our website that you think would make a good addition to your family we ask that you complete our online adoption application form. Once we’ve had a chance to review it we will be in touch about the next steps, which will include setting up an appointment for you to come and meet the horse in person.
Can I come spend time with my sponsored horse? We are excited you want to have a relationship with your sponsored horse and learn more about them. As our sanctuary horses will have multiple sponsors, we ask that you contact us to make an appointment so we can make arrangements that best suit everyone.