Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary

Amish Horse Retirement Initiative In an effort to supersede equine surrender to one of Ohio’s multiple livestock auction houses, HTFAS founded the Amish Horse Retirement Initiative to provide an option for the Amish community when an equine in their care must be re-homed. HTFAS will approve any request for an equine to be accepted into our program when this request originates from the Amish community. Requests will be prioritized on basis of urgency and intake will be prioritized as capacity allows. Livestock Auction Ohio is home to multiple livestock auction houses. Along with a large population of Amish in the community many equines are discarded at these houses. For many, their fate is to be sold to a ‘meat-buyer’ and transported to slaughter for consumption. It is for this reason that HTFAS will attend these livestock auctions when capacity is low and/or demand for an animal (there is often specific request for donkeys, mini horses or ponies) is present. Equine will be bid on and purchased only when death is eminent, proven by interest from the auctioneer or meat-buyer. HTFAS will never knowingly bid/compete with a fellow rescue or private buyer. Owner Relinquish Initiative In response to the fluctuating request for criminal case assistance and realizing the growing need for help in our community, HTFAS introduced the Owner Relinquish Initiative in 2021. All owner relinquish requests will be approved. HTFAS will approve any request for an equine to be accepted into our program with consideration of 1) urgency of need; 2) effort of placement made by owner with guidance from HTFAS; 3) condition of animal(s) requiring attention. Requests will be prioritized on basis of urgency along with Amish Retirement requests and intake will be prioritized as capacity allows.