We’ve always wanted an easy way to make an extra grand. And now? We’ve got one. And it’s an especially great way if you’re an animal lover.

The Bureau of Land Management has just reminded us of their Adoption Incentive Program, where they will be offering up to $1,000 to people who adopt an untrained wild horse or burro (a small donkey).

The initiative is in order to to encourage people to give these animals in need a good home as well as help reduce the cost that the Bureau of Land Management incurs to care for these animals. In addition, adoption can help to limit overpopulation.

The fact of the matter is the population of these animals is way up, but no one has been adopting them. This is causing a host of issues such as damaged land due to the vast amount of grazing, and sadly, some of the the animals have even begun to starve.

“The incentive is designed to help with the adopter’s initial training and humane care,” said BLM Deputy Director of Programs and Policy Brian Steed. “I encourage anyone who has considered adopting a wild horse or burro to join the thousands of owners who have provided good homes to more than 245,000 wild horses or burros since 1971.”

Under the program, those who adopt may qualify to receive $500 within the first 60 days of adoption and the other $500 within 60 days of titling the horse or burro. You can adopt up to four wild horses or burros per year (for a total of up to $4,000 in your pocket!).

Still not convinced? Take it from the people who adopted horses or burros first hand.

“We’ve become a good team,” said Courtney Ferguson, of Taylor, her 18-year-old Nevada mustang. “I’ve met many other mustang owners and I’ve learned something even more remarkable about this big-hearted horse. What’s truly incredible is the fact that, as special as Taylor is to me, he is NOT unusual. If anything, he is TYPICAL of mustangs.”

“I have had Ella for since 2012, and each year we grow and bond more,” said Megan of her horse Ella. “A key aspect of Ella is that she rarely gets frustrated with me, and she is patient when learning a new skill and reads my body for the proper command.

“We’ve bonded so quickly and have become best friends,” an Idaho teenager said about her adopted mustang, Kilchii. “After the first week, every time I came to work with him, he would always come to the gate and wait to greet me.”

It’s truly a special bond you’ll create with your animal, plus you’re helping a great organization and putting an extra $1,000 in your pocket.

Ready to begin? Visit the BLM website or call 866-468-7826 to learn more, or visit the agency’s Flickr page for more of these successful wild horse adoptions. 

Would you ever adopt a horse from The Bureau of Land Management, or know someone who has? What has their experience been like so far?