MISSION & PROGRAMS

Mission:
Drifter's Hearts of Hope is a horse rescue and rehabilitation center that strives to circumvent the slaughter pipeline. Horses at our facility are rehabilitated, evaluated, trained and eventually adopted out to forever, loving homes.

Our organization provides programs involved with equine rescue & adoption
Our organization provides community outreach and/or public education programs involving horses.
Our organization is directly responsible for the care and shelter of equines involved in our programs.
100% of our total programs and services are horse-related.
Our organization does not use satellite, overflow, foster, and/or outreach facilities
Number of facilities/locations where horses used in our programs are HOUSED AND CARED FOR or were HOUSED AND CARED FOR during 2021: 1
     1. Drifter's Hearts of Hope (*Main) Status: 2022 and 2021

Summary of organization's goals, strategies to achieve the goals, accomplishments, and capabilities to meet the goals, including its long-term plans to sustain its programs:
Our goal is to help at-risk horses through rescue, rehabilitation and training. Our accomplishments have ranged from rescuing over 600 horses to founding the Annie Project, which we have grown to include seventeen Colorado and Wyoming-based dude ranches. However, our accomplishments aren't truly well demonstrated by the numbers, they are better reflected in the stories of happy adopters. Our adopters have said that their adopted horses are “a dream come true,” that adopting from a rescue was, “by far, one of the best, most life changing decisions I have ever made,” and that they are “the lucky family who received a fantastic new friend.” In order to make those successful forever matches happen, we have grown to a team of twenty volunteers supporting the rescue of over 600 horses, with twenty regular donors. Our capabilities to achieve our goals continue to grow based on our community support. We partnered with the Right Horse Initiative and Colorado Unwanted Horse Alliance and received grants in 2019, 2020 and 2021 to expand our operations, train more horses, and help the Colorado horse community. With greater community support, we are able to assist more horses, which is why we are so grateful for this opportunity. Our other sources of funding are private donations, adoption fees, and fundraising. Through this funding, we were able to provide training, veterinary care, farrier care, dental care, and quality feed, and improve our facilities to be better equipped to handle incoming horses.
     
     Our long-term plan to sustain our programs stems from the development of team members. We have several generations of volunteers that range from middle schoolers to retirees. Additionally, with programs like the Annie Project, we partner with other rescues as well as the ranches themselves to ensure a long-lasting legacy. Our belief is that community building helps all of the players involved, including the horses, the volunteers, the leadership team, the ranches and the other rescues. We appreciate the opportunity to continue our partnership with the EQUUS Foundation.

Horse Rescue, Rehabilitation, Retraining & Re-homing:
Overview of our programs involved with rescue, rehabilitation, retraining, re-homing and/or retirement:
     Drifter's Hearts of Hope (DHOH) rescues, rehabilitates, and rehomes horses in Franktown, Colorado. We take in horses from auction, owner surrenders, and Annie Project graduates for rehabilitation and rehoming.
     
     The Annie Project was founded by DHOH in 2017 to give dude and guest ranches a new option for retiring their horses: an option that keeps them safe from auction and out of danger of entering the slaughter pipeline. The Annie Project was born through the relationship between Drifter’s Hearts of Hope, C Lazy U Ranch and The Colorado Dude and Guest Ranch Association (CDGRA).
     
     The Annie Project's goal is to create a lasting, symbiotic relationship with all members of the CDGRA (and eventually the Dude Ranch Association) and have the opportunity to find these deserving horses loving and forever homes in their retirement and/or transitional years. DHOH offers participating ranches a tax-deductible donation receipt per horse as well as social media and website promotion.
     
     In addition to founding the Annie Project, we save horses from auctions and take in owner surrenders. We consider each horse to be our client, and our rehabilitation, retraining and rehoming programs keep the horses' goals at the forefront throughout. We seek to understand how each horse can be their happiest and healthiest self and supply those nutritional and training needs while working to find a loving, forever home to continue those efforts.
Overview of our programs involved with providing community outreach and/or public education programs involving horses:
     We seek to promote horse adoption in our community outreach activities. We have previously hosted events at the rescue to educate the public about our adoption initiatives and adoptable horses. We also regularly host open houses and community events where we share stories and experiences of the rescue horses, as well as recommendations for how to keep horses safe from harm. This helps the community understand how to keep their horses safe, how to contribute to improving the lives of horses in Colorado, and how to identify an at-risk horse. Additionally, we offer ourselves up as spokespeople to speak on behalf of our rescue horses to local barns and 4H groups. We are always looking for more speaking opportunities and would be happy to assist to further educate the public about why we rescue.

Research/Medical Use of Equines:
Our organization has never made, and would not ever consider making, equines available for research studies or medical training that involves invasive procedures and/or that which may cause pain or suffering to the equine. 

Religious Affiliation:
Our organization does not promote religious education or religious purposes or use donations for religious education or religious purposes; require participants to be of a certain faith; require participation in religious, instruction, activities or services; or require participation in prayer, worship, religious instruction or other religious activities as a condition of receiving social or secular services offered. 

Auction Donation:
Our organization has never allowed, or would not consider allowing, an equine to be sold, transferred, released, or otherwise placed into possession of any person or organization that would cause or allow the equine to be sold at auction for slaughter. 

GOVERNANCE, MANAGEMENT & FINANCIAL REPORTING

Staff & Volunteers:
Chief Staff Officer (CSO):  Jacqueline Avis
Employees/Independent Contractors:   Full-Time:  0  Part-Time:  0  Volunteers:  20
Staff Recruitment, Screening and Training processes including employees and independent contractors:
    Not applicable; We do not have paid staff or utilize contractors to perform staff functions.

Volunteer Recruitment, Screening and Training processes:
    Prospective volunteers complete a written application/agreement
    Our organization has a practice in place to ensure that the organization has sufficient knowledge of the background of prospective volunteers that may impact the safety of your clients and your horses, such as whether prospective volunteers have been convicted of a sexual offense or convicted for animal cruelty or neglect. Such practices must comply with local, state, and federal mandates.
    Every volunteer is required to complete a Liability Release/Hold Harmless Agreement
    Every volunteer is required to provide Emergency Medical Information
    Every volunteer provides parent/guardian information if applicable
    Every volunteer is evaluated on an annual and as needed basis or with any change in their job description
    Every volunteer is updated on all the organization's policies and procedures on an annual and as needed basis or with any change in policy or procedure
    Every volunteer receives training that includes safety guidelines, confidentiality, equine handling, equine identification, and emergency procedures; additional training is job specific
    Every volunteer is assigned a supervisor (staff member and/or senior volunteer) and is responsible for keeping their supervisor up to date on work related activities
    The supervisor assesses the volunteer's abilities and assigns specific duties to the volunteer based on their skills
    The organization holds regular orientation sessions for volunteers and prospective volunteers that includes an overview of the organization, its mission, activities, volunteer responsibilities and expectations, safety guidelines, and a tour of the facility

Governing Body:
Board meetings per year:  12
Number of Board Members:  6  Number of Voting Board Members:  6

Board Compensation:
Is Board Chair compensated?  No  Is Treasurer compensated?  No
Are there any other Voting Board Members that are compensated?  No

Board/Staff Relationships:
Are any members of the Board, Staff or Program Participants related to each other through family or business relationships? No

Board Affiliations:
Are any Board members or Staff associated with and/or compensated by another organization with a relationship or business affiliation to your organization? No

Conflict of Interest:
Does your organization have a written conflict of interest policy that ensures that any compensated board member is a NON-VOTING (Independent) board member or that any compensated board member or any board member related to a compensated staff member, independent contractor, or any related board members, or any individual or organization that might benefit from a board decision, abstains from voting on issues impacting such compensation and requires officers, directors or trustees, and key employees to disclose at least annually in writing interests that could give rise to conflicts?  Yes


Compliance:
Below is a list all local, state and federal licenses held by the organization, and/or accreditations or compliances with the published standards of an accrediting organization, if applicable:  Certificate of Good Standing from the State of Colorado Federal 501(c)3 Organization

Organization documents available on our website:
    Most recent Financials
    Most recent IRS Form 990
    Adoption/Foster Agreement

Organization documents available on request:
    Most recent Financials
    Most recent IRS Form 990
    Equine Intake Guidelines
    Adoption/Foster Agreement
    Bylaws

Additional explanation regarding governance, staffing and volunteer practices or further explanation of the answers above.
Board Members:
     Jacqui Avis - President and Founder
     Rachelle Nye - Director of Fundraising
     Sally O'Donnell - Director of Compliance
     Amanda Hudec - Secretary
     Colleen Fitzpatrick - Director of Communications
     Danielle Ross - Director of Marketing

Budget:  $100K to $500K
Equine Budget:   $150K to $250K
Month Fiscal Year Ends: 12
Type of Financial Reporting (Audit, Review, Compilation): Audit
Type of IRS Filing (990, 990-EZ, 990-N): 990
Does the uploaded Pro Forma 990/990 represent 2021? No
View The IRS Form 990/Pro Forma 990

POLICIES: ACQUISITION

Our organization acquires horses/equines from the following source(s):
    Donation  
    Auction  
    Return  
    Surrender  
    Abandonment  

Our organization does not acquire horses/equines from the following source(s):
    Lease  
    Purchase/Adoption from Owner  
    Kill pen/Feedlot  
    Seizure  

Our organization will accept the following:
    Geldings
    Mares
    Pregnant Mares
    Foals
    Only Stallions to be castrated

Not Checked:
    Stallions

POLICIES: INTAKE, ASSESSMENT & TRAININING

Prior to a horse being accepted and/or arriving at the facility, the organization requires the following with respect to the health status of the horse:
    If health records are not available or are out-of-date, our veterinarian will administer appropriate vaccinations

Prior to a horse being accepted and/or arriving at the facility, the organization has the following policies in place:
    The owner of a potential equine is interviewed over the phone or in person prior to seeing the equine
    Equines are not taken on trial

Following arrival of the equine at the facility, the following is performed:
    Physical examination by trained barn staff
    Photographs are taken of each equine upon arrival at the facility and kept with the equine's health records
    A Henneke Body Conditioning Score or other body conditioning score is assigned
    Physical examination by a farrier
    Physical examination by a dentist
    Vaccinations
    De-worming
    The equine is scanned to check for a microchip

Upon intake, the organization has the following quarantine policy in place:
    The equine is confined to a designated and separate area for isolation and quarantine at the facility for a prescribed period of time

The typical length of quarantine is:   20 to 30 days

Horses are assessed for following skills and behaviors:
    Retrieval from a pasture/paddock
    Leading with a halter and lead rope
    Temperament, disposition and attitude, such as rated from very calm to very high spirited
    Saddling
    Bridling
    Lunging
    Loading onto and unloading off a trailer
    Mounting and dismounting
    Riding at the walk
    Riding at the trot
    Riding at the canter
    Riding by a beginner and/or unbalanced rider
    Jumping
    Tolerance to unusual objects and loud noises
    Known vices, i.e., cribbing, biting, kicking, weaving, stall walking, etc
    Grooming
    Bathing
    Tolerance to multiple handlers at the same time

Our organization has the following policies and procedures in place pertaining to the ongoing assessment of horses in its care:
    The Henneke Body Condition score or other body conditioning score is updated at least monthly
    The Henneke Body Condition score or other body conditioning score is updated at least annually
    Photographs are taken of each equine monthly and kept with the equine's health records
    Equines at our facility may be treated by an equine chiropractor
    Equines at our facility may be treated by an equine acupuncturist
    Equines at our facility may be treated by an equine massage therapist
    Equines at our facility may be treated by an equine nutritionist
Our organization has the following policies and procedures in place pertaining to the weight-carrying or workload capabilities of horses/equines that are ridden in our care:
    Our organization evaluates at least annually and maintains a written record of the weight-carrying and workload limitations for each equine that is ridden

The following variables are considered in determining the weight-carrying and workload limitations for each equine that is ridden:
    Equine age, weight, breed, body condition, fitness, balance, health and soundness
    Equine conformation to include the top line, length of back, strength and width of loin, bone density (measured by the circumference of the cannon bone just below the knee)
    Size, shape, condition and angle of the hooves
    Participant weight, height, body proportions, balance, fitness and riding skills as well as behavioral issues and safety concerns
    Weight and proper fit of the saddle and other equipment
    Terrain and footing in the working environment
    Duration and frequency of working sessions, as the frequency with which an equine is subjected to maximum weight carrying and/or workload
    Nature and pace of work, repetitive or varied, radius of turns, degree of incline and regularity of footing when equine is subject to maximum weight-carrying capacity
    Temperature and/or weather conditions
    Seasonal impact on the equines' workload and weight-carrying capabilities and limitations


Horses provided formal training (groundwork or riding):   2-3 times per week

Additional information about our intake, assessment & training policies and practices:
Our training program centers around finding how the horse can be happiest and most successful. We tailor all training activities and routines to each specific horse and keep the horses' wellbeing at the forefront throughout all of our interactions.
     
     Additionally, we freeze brand our horses so that we can ensure their future safety.

POLICIES: BREEDING

The organization has the following policies related to breeding and stallions:
    The facility or facilities where our organization conducts its programs, including foster facilities, does NOT breed equines.

POLICIES: EUTHANASIA

The organization has the following policies related to euthanasia:
    Our organization will never have an equine euthanized for space
    Our organization may have a healthy equine euthanized if it is a threat to itself, other equines, or people and euthanasia is recommended by a veterinarian
    Our organization may have an equine euthanized after all reasonable treatment options have been explored
    Euthanasia is done on site when possible to decrease trauma from transport
    Disposal of the carcass is handled within 24 hours

The following are authorized to administer the procedure for your organization in accordance with state laws:
    Veterinarian

Additional information about our euthanasia policies and practices:
We use euthanasia as an option for very sick or lame horses, or horses that are a danger to themselves or others. In some cases, it is the most humane option for a horse and we always want to do the best we can for our horses.

POLICIES: RE-HOMING

View Re-homing Agreement
Our organization has the following re-homing (adoption/purchase) policies and procedures in place:
    All potential adopters/purchasers complete a written contract which constitutes the agreement between our organization and the new owner
    Our organization will only re-home an equine to a location where another equine resides
    Potential adopters/purchasers must visit our organization and be observed with the equine on site
    The distance of a potential adopter/purchaser's home from our facility is a consideration for when re-homing an equine
    Our organization conducts a site visit of the adopter/purchaser's facility before the transfer of the equine to the adopter/purchaser's facility

The uploaded Re-homing agreement includes the following re-homing (adoption/purchase) statements:
    The agreement reflects that any individual or organization in possession of the equine as of the date of the agreement and any time thereafter is bound to not sell the equine at auction for slaughter or allow the equine to be sold, transferred, released, or otherwise placed into possession of any person or organization that will cause or allow the equine to be sold at auction for slaughter.
    The agreement states that should the adopter decide to re-home the equine, our organization must grant approval of any individual or organization intending to take possession of the equine for any reason prior to the equine being placed into the possession of such individual or organization, including being provided written notification of the name, address, and telephone number of any individual or organization intending to take possession of the equine for any reason.
    The agreement states that the terms of our organization's agreement will be binding on any future individual or organization taking and/or in possession of the equine for any reason.
    The agreement states that re-homed equines cannot be bred
    The agreement states that if there is any breach of contract the equine must be returned to our organization
    The agreement states that our organization reserves the right to make unannounced visits
    The agreement states that our organization reserves the right to make scheduled visits
    The agreement states that adopters/purchasers can return an equine to our organization free of charge
    The agreement states that adopters/purchasers are required to provide updates (photos, vet records) for three or more years

Our organization requires references from the following:
    Veterinarian
    Farrier
    Personal/Other

Transfer of ownership occurs:   After one year

The average equine re-homing (adoption/purchase) fee received by your organization:
$1,001 to $1,500

Our organization has the following policies and procedures related to horses that need to be retired, are no longer useful, or are no longer manageable:
    Equines may remain at our organization for their lifetimes
    Equines may be found suitable homes by our organization
    In the case an equine is unmanageable and demonstrates repeated dangerous behaviors, the equine may be euthanized
    In the case an equine is unsound and/or unhealthy and cannot be treated to relieve suffering, the equine may be euthanized

Additional information about our rehoming policies and practices:
We transfer ownership of the horse only when completely satisfied with the home. It is never before 6 months and we prefer to retain ownership.
     
     If an adopter seeks to rehome a horse, we require that the future adopter complete the same process as the original. This includes DHOH's approval in writing for rehoming as well as a home check, riding evaluation (if needed), and signature of the adoption contract. The contract is for the life of the horse, and is binding for any person that cares for the horse.

EQUINE CARE & SHELTER/FACILITY INFORMATION

Total facilities at which our organization cares for and shelters horses used in our programs: 1
Our organization does not use satellite, overflow, foster, and/or outreach facilities



MANAGEMENT: Drifter's Hearts of Hope: *Main

Does your organization own, lease or use a part of this facility? Lease

Provide the contact information for the individual or organization responsible for investigating abuse in the county where the facility is located, including mailing address, email address, and phone information.
     Douglas County Animal Control 4556 Castleton Ct Castle Rock, CO 80109 (303) 660-7529

VETERINARIAN INFORMATION: Drifter's Hearts of Hope: *Main
Drifter's Hearts of Hope: Vet Assessment conducted on 2022-03-08

Veterinarian: Dr. Lori
Clinic Name: Littleton Equine
8025 S. Santa Fe Drive
Littleton   CO   80120
Phone: 3037946359


GROUNDS: Drifter's Hearts of Hope: *Main
Total number of horses involved with your programs at this facility: 50
Total number of horses at this facility INCLUDING those not involved with your programs: 50
Maximum capacity of horses at this facility: 60
Total acreage dedicated specifically to the horses: 350
Our organization has use of the following at this facility:
Structures/Barns: 2  Run-in sheds: 1
Pastures: 6  Paddocks/Pens: 1
Uncovered Outdoor Rings: 2  Covered Outdoor Rings: 0  Indoor Rings: 1












Regarding structures at this facility where horses are stalled:
Do horses have assigned stalls in the structure(s)?    Yes    
Do all stalls/enclosures allow horses to lie down, stand up and turn around?    Yes    
Is there adequate ceiling & beam height (a minimum of 12 inches above the tip of the horse's ear) when standing in all stalls/enclosures?    Yes    
How often are the stalls/enclosures cleaned? 6-7 Days a Week
Are floors constructed and maintained for both good drainage and traction?    Yes    
Is there a ventilation and circulation system in place to control temperature and prevent buildup of toxic gases?    Yes    
Is wiring inaccessible to horses and maintained for safety?    Yes    
Are fire prevention/protection measures (fire alarms, extinguishers and sprinkler systems) maintained and in good working order?     Yes    
Is there adequate lighting to ensure safety in all areas of facility?     Yes    
Are emergency contacts, including veterinarian contact information, conspicuously posted in easily accessible locations?    Yes    
Are human and equine first aid kits easily accessible?     Yes    

How many hours per day, on average, are horses stalled? 13-16
How many hours per day, on average, are horses turned out:
    Equines are out 4 to 8 hours per day
    Equines are out 9 to 15 hours per day
    Equines are out 24/7
    Equines are out 24/7 except when they are being trained
    Equines are out 24/7 except when they are used for the conduct of the organization's programs

The following describes the pastures at this facility:
    This facility has a written plan in place for pasture management, which includes guidelines for seeding, fertilizing, irrigation, mowing, dragging, harrowing, manure removal, removal of debris, the control of poisonous plants, and a schedule for cleaning
    All pastures are fenced to prevent escape or injury
    Electric fencing is used; electric wires or tape fence are visibly marked
    Fencing checks, such as broken or missing planks, loose fence posts, exposed or loose nails, detached wires, etc., are done regularly
    Pastures are rotated
    Pastures have natural protection for equines (i.e., trees)
    Pastures have man-made protection for equines (i.e., shelters)

The following describes the turnout areas other than pastures at this facility:
    This facility has a written plan in place for the maintenance of turnout areas, which includes a schedule for cleaning, manure removal, and dragging
    All turnout areas are fenced to prevent escape or injury
    Electric fencing is used; electric wires or tape fence are visibly marked
    Fencing checks, such as broken or missing planks, loose fence posts, exposed or loose nails, detached wires, etc., are done regularly

The following policies and procedures are in place at the facility to restrict public access and to keep horses safe:
    The property owner, staff member or caretaker lives on the premises and ensures that public access is restricted and is responsible for the security of the facility and equines
    Equines are checked overnight
    By Appointment Only signs are posted.
    No Trespassing signs are posted
    Hold Harmless signs are posted
    Entrance gates are locked at night
    Visitors are only permitted at specific times
    Visitors are only permitted in specific areas
    Visitors are always accompanied by staff (or volunteers)
    The property is fitted with a security system monitored by police or a professional service
    The property is fitted with a security system that is monitored internally by staff (or the property owner)
    The perimeter of the property is fully fenced


EQUINE CARE: Drifter's Hearts of Hope: *Main
Horse Health Care/Barn Management Records: What system is used to collect and store health/horse care records?
    Notebook or equivalent (technology not utilized)
    Onsite computer with onsite backup storage system
    Onsite computer with cloud-based backup storage system
    Our organization utilizes a software application to maintain records
    Our organization would use free cloud-based barn management software if available

The following items are consistent with our feed management plan and practices:
    Equines are provided with individualized feeding plans, including supplements, according to age and any health issues
    Feed plans are determined in consultation with a veterinarian
    Supplement plans are determined in consultation with a veterinarian
    Equines are fed in individual stalls
    Equines are fed in groups
    Staff and volunteers are trained in proper feed measurements and protocols and observed periodically to ensure they are feeding correctly
    The feed chart is centrally located and updated as needed
    The area(s) where hay, feed, grain, and supplements are stored are kept clean, free of debris and chemicals, and protected from weather and other animals in rodent-proof and mold-proof containers and grain bins
    Feed, supplements and hay types are clearly labeled
    Water sources, i.e., buckets, troughs, automatic waterers, etc. are kept clean, free of debris and chemicals, and protected from weather and other animals
    Medications are kept in a locked, climate-controlled area

Do horses have access to clean drinking water at all times?     Yes    

Hoof Care: How often is hoof care provided for each horse? Every 4-8 weeks and when an issue arises

Dental Care: How often is dental care provided for each horse? Annually and when an issue arises

Horse checks: How often are horses visually and physically checked by personnel at the facility? Every day or 6 days a week

Parasite Control: Our organization has the following worming protocols in place: (Check all that apply
    The protocol for each equine is determined in consultation with a veterinarian
    A de-wormer is used without fecal testing