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Please note: Our pdfs and links on this page are not yet working on our new site. Please contact Gail if you need an application.

#1 Fill out an adoption application

Anyone interested in adopting a horse from CANTER is required to fill out the Adoption application, which can be found on the website. It should only take you 10-15 minutes to fill it out online. You can also print out the application and fax it to 810-384-8410 or mail it to CANTER, P. O. Box 314, Emmett, MI 48022-0314.

Applications filled out online or faxed will take 1 to 2 weeks to be processed if your references respond promptly. Please call your veterinary clinic to let them know they will be receiving a Vet Reference and ask them to respond to it.

If you haven’t heard back on an approval, please contact your vet to find out if they have responded to our reference check. 90% of all approval delays are due to the lack of vet responses. It is your job to let your vet know we will be contacting them.

If you are serious about adopt a retired racehorse, please fill out an application even if you don’t yet see the horse you want. We don’t hold horses while the applications are being approved. The horse you want may be adopted by someone who is already approved while you are waiting for your application to be processed.

If you see more than one horse you are interested in, only apply once. Your application is good for all horses. Once CANTER approves you, you are placed on the approved list and you will not need to re-apply in the future unless your information changes.

#2 Approval

Once your application has been processed you will be notified by e-mail stating that you are either approved or not approved. Once you see a CANTER Owned horse that you like in California, you will need to contact Ali Dacher at 408.313.1965 or email her at canterca@canterusa.org

#3 Adoption Fee

The horse’s adoption fee must be paid before the horse will be held. Fee may be paid by cash, check or PayPal but a 3% service charge will be added, which PayPal charges us. If the horse needs additional certificates for shipping, there will be an additional charge for those services.

#4 Conditional Lifetime Bill of Sale

The Conditional Lifetime Bill of Sale (see attachments at end of this page) must be signed before the horse leaves our facility. The Conditional Lifetime Bill of Sale is a binding legal contract between you and CANTER. Make sure that you read the Bill of Sale and understand it completely.

#5 Transportation

Once the adoption fee has been paid, the adopter should arrange transportation. For 7 days CANTER will pay for the board of the horse. After 7 days, the adopter will need to pay $12 a day for the board of their new horse. If transportation is needed, talk to your CANTER representative. All horses must be picked up in a trailer large enough for a thoroughbred.

#7 Mandatory Updates

It is required that all adopter send us two updates a year for two years. No exceptions. Please mail the Update Form to CANTER California, 260 Las Miradas Dr, Los Gatos, CA 95032 or email to canterca@canterusa.org along with a current picture of the horse.