Most Adoption Programs Unite Under One Umbrella

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Through a joint effort involving input from Thoroughbred adoption and retirement groups across the country, the Thoroughbred Adoption and Retirement Association has been established. TARA will be based in Lexington, Ky., with initial support provided by California Equine Retirement Foundation, Days End Farm Horse Rescue, and ReRun.

The main focus of TARA, which will begin as an all-volunteer organization, will be the accreditation of programs that handle the adoption and retirement of Thoroughbreds. Input from large and small groups nationwide contributed to the creation of a set of standards used to evaluate groups that wish to be accredited.
The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation won't participate in the program during its initial phase. "The TRF believes there needs to be more work done, and a larger conscious among all group members before we become involved," said Diane Pikulski, TRF executive director.

Pikulski didn't rule out TRF's involvement in the future. "The idea is good, and we would like to see it happen. We will continue to work together and talk. Right now, it just doesn't seem ready to fly."

Administration, operations, and adoption or placement procedures of applicants are measured against the standards to ensure a stringent standard of care, carefully screened adoptions, compliance with Internal Revenue Service and state requirements for non-profit organizations, and financial stability and fiscal responsibility.

"With more and more groups springing up all the time that want to help with the problem of finding homes for ex-racehorses, we feel that the time has come to set standards for such programs," said Grace Belcuore, founder and president of CERF.
The idea for an umbrella organization was the subject of a September seminar in Lexington. Thoroughbred Charities of America partially underwrote the two-day meeting, which was attended by representatives of 18 groups from the United States and Canada. By Leslie Deckard

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