THE DORSET EQUINE RESCUE INC
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
There is an overpopulation of horses in our country which results in more than 140,000 horses being shipped to slaughter in Mexico and/or Canada each year. Slaughter is a terrifying and brutal end to a horse’s life. Horse slaughter is far from humane and not the answer for the over population of our horses. We are contacted daily regarding horses that have been neglected, abandoned or in need of re-homing. We do our best to help as many as we can, but are limited by lack of space and funds. Horse owners may give up their horses for various reasons: financial, loss of interest, divorce, illness, death of owner, health issues of horse, etc. Our rescues come from owner surrenders, law enforcement seizures, and auction kill pens.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Rescue
The Dorset Equine Rescue Inc. rescues, rehabilitates and re-homes abused, neglected and slaughter bound horses of all breeds and size.
Where we work
External reviews
Photos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Evaluation documents
Download evaluation reportsNumber of animals rescued
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Rescue
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Horses saved each year from owner surrenders, law enforcement seizures, and kill pens. This is the number of lives we saved and the number of hearts filled with renewed hope.
Number of animals rehomed
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Rescue
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
This is the number of horses adopted into pre-screened and loving homes each year. Each adoption opens a spot for a new rescue. We check on adopted horses and provide a life-long safety net.
Number of new donors
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Rescue
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Average number of dollars received per donor
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Rescue
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Number of animals rehabilitated
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Rescue
Type of Metric
Context - describing the issue we work on
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
All rescues go through rehabilitation: medical and dental needs with the vet, feed and medications to thrive, and regular farrier visits to ensure hooves are trimmed. Training follows rehabilitation.
Goals & Strategy
Reports and documents
Download strategic planLearn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Our primary goal is to transition horses from injury and/or neglect to good health and eventual adoption. We advocate for all horses in need and believe all horses have a right to a safe, loving home free from pain, fear and neglect. Our mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and re-home abused, neglected, and slaughter bound horses of all breeds and sizes. After rescue, all horses at DER start the rehabilitation process, both physically and mentally. They are given extensive veterinary care and professional training to prepare them for adoption and placement in their forever home. We work hard to make sure horse and adopter are compatible so they have the best chance of success.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Our primary focus is to rescue horses in dire need and eventually place them in forever homes. Upon arrival they are thoroughly evaluated by our team of skilled equine experts, from veterinarians to our trainer to our farrier. We provide all necessary care for them and make sure the transition into their new herd is as stress free as possible so that they can start to thrive. When each horse is ready, they slowly start into a training program to prepare them for adoption. Our trainer works closely with the veterinarians to evaluate each horse's abilities and physical condition which ensures the best possible outcome for each horse. We carefully screen potential adopters to ensure our rescues are placed in compatible homes and we serve as a life-long safety net for each of our rescues to ensure they are never in need of rescue again.
In 2021 we were the first rescue in our state of Vermont to obtain accreditation from the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries for transparency, accountability, and standards of care.
In 2021 we began a new prevention program, The Vermont Hay Bank, a way to provide temporary feed assistance to owners in hardship in order to keep horses in good homes when owners need a little help. Providing temporary feed assistance can prevent horses from being sent to auction or ending up in need of rescue.
In 2022 we launched a volunteer program, which we call Pitchforks and Pastries, to introduce and orient volunteers to our rescue and available volunteer opportunities. We have held Pitchforks and Pastries volunteer sessions during the warm months of 2022 and 2023, and are planning to continue in 2024.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
We are able to provide our rescue horses with proper nutrition, shelter, and the best medical care available. We have a full-time trainer on staff as well as an experienced group of volunteers who provide daily care to the rescue horses. We can provide this high level of care through the generosity of our supporters and volunteers.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
To date we have rescued, rehabilitated and re-homed over 300 horses from unfortunate situations, including 32 in 2023. Our rescues come from owner surrenders, law enforcement seizures, and auction kill pens. Because we have limited room, we are often only able to help horses in the most dire situations. We were able to successfully find carefully screened and safe new homes for 26 horses in 2023.
We have helped many horse owners who have fallen on tough times for various reason by intervening before a bad situation has gotten worse. Often rescue is the only option to prevent the horse from going to auction and/or slaughter. in 2021 we started The Vermont Hay Bank, a way to provide feed assistance to owners undergoing temporary hardship as a way to keep horses in good homes with a little help to owners.
In 2021 we also were the first rescue in our state of Vermont to obtain accreditation from the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries for transparency, accountability, and standards of care.
We have been able to educate our community and supporters about horse rescue and the crisis facing horses in our country through private facility tours, school group visits, open houses, fundraising events, feature articles and on social media.
We hope to continue fulfilling our mission for years to come. Currently we are operating out of two borrowed facilities which have their limitations. We would like to have our own dedicated facility to continue our work and increase the number of horses we can help.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
-
How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
-
Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive
-
What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback
Financials
Unlock nonprofit financial insights that will help you make more informed decisions. Try our monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights?
Learn more
about GuideStar Pro.
Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
THE DORSET EQUINE RESCUE INC
Board of directorsas of 01/25/2024
Jennifer Straub
Jennifer Straub
Chip Straub
Heather Ayers
Karen Patnaude
Denise Tuttle
Janet Dunnington
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
-
Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Not applicable
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
No data
Gender identity
No data
Transgender Identity
No data
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data
Equity strategies
Last updated: 02/01/2022GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
- We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
- We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.