MITCHELL FARM EQUINE RETIREMENT INC

Mitchell Farm Equine Retirement not only provides a permanent home for a number of these animals, it also serves as a model sanctuary and educates the public about animal welfare and the proper care for older horses.

Mitchell Farm’s main goal is sustainability while following our mission. Mitchell Farm seeks to close the gap in the rescue cycle by providing permanent sanctuary to the horses in its care. The Farm must be sustainable to provide the best life possible for residents, current and future. There are so many more unwanted horses than there is room at Mitchell Farm. We strive to be a model of a sustainable solution, lending our experience and knowledge to other retirement farms in order to help more than just the horses in our direct care.

Sustainability is an on-going effort and is a priority in strategic planning. Our organization believes that it is necessary to continuously re-evaluate our business plan as changes occur in economic climates and other factors affecting our financial stability.

Mitchell Farm recently reached out to several local executive leaders and the area Service Corp of Retired Executives (SCORE) to help evaluate the business plan, financials, programming and structure. The 18-month period of reflection and analysis has provided permanent tools for goal tracking, as well as a resource when further help is needed.

Being a model facility means maintaining and exceeding requirements for accreditation.

Consent reflection and adjustment to economic pressures ensures financial stability. Maintaining accreditation with both the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries and The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance provides us with a clear path to excellence in the areas of horse care, governance, fiscal responsibility and sustainability.

In seventeen successful years of operation Mitchell Farm has provided permanent sanctuary to 107 equines with the high care standards set forth by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) and The AAEP Care Guidelines for Rescue and Retirement Facilities.

Mitchell Farm has achieved full accreditation from both GFAS and TAA. Accreditation signifies that Mitchell Farm Equine Retirement meets rigorous and peer-reviewed equine care standards, confirmed by visits from accrediting authorities, and has also demonstrated adherence to standards addressing the sustainability of the organization, ethical principles, finances, staffing, education outreach, security and safety and other operational aspects.

In an effort to raise awareness to the plight of older horses, Mitchell Farm requested and received a Connecticut Gubernatorial Proclamation dedicating the fourth week of May as Connecticut Older Horse Week. The passing of legislation has now, by law, made it official.