Welcome to Return To Freedom

Return To Freedom is dedicated to preserving the freedom, diversity and habitat of America's wild horses through sanctuary, education and conservation, while enriching the human spirit through direct experience with the natural world.

Los Angeles Rally Draws Nearly 200 Protesters

L.A. ProtestThe January 9th rally in Los Angeles drew a crowd of nearly 200 people, including celebrities Wendie Malik, Francis Fisher, Amanda Pope, Elaine Hendricks, and Tatjana Patitz. Authors Deanne Stillman and Petrine Mitchum were also in attendance. Signs calling to "Stop the Roundups" were carried as the public raised a united voice on behalf of our mustangs. Following the rally, RTF Founder Neda DeMayo joined other American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign (AWHPC) members in a meeting with Senator Feinstein's staff, asking the Senator to increase her efforts on behalf of America's wild horses. Additional rallies are being planned throughout the country.

Though the Calico roundup continues, a scheduled Utah roundup has been postponed due to continued pressure from advocates and the public.

January 4, 2010: Update from the Field

Friends, as the devastating Calico round up continues, Wildlife Ecologist Craig Downer and Public Observer Elyse Gardner are providing first hand updates from the field. We already told you about an older mare that was euthanized because she was "too thin". Since then, a 6 month old foal has been added to the casualty list and a band stallion scaled a 6 foot fence to regain his freedom. Click here to read the pictorial report from the field.

December 29, 2009: Devastating Calico Round Up Begins

It was not long ago that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced a proposal to euthanize some 30,000 wild horses that they have stockpiled in federal holding facilities, due to budget constraints. This overstock of horses is a result of years of gathering more wild horses from the range than the agency could successfully place through their adoption program. Rather than discontinuing the round ups, and implementing proven "in the wild" management solutions, the BLM is marching forward to the beat of the same old drum. Read more...

Return to Freedom’s "Orphaned Animals" Blog

Return to Freedom gets calls and emails everyday about horses, burros, dogs, cats and other animals that need a new home. In this tough economy, more animals than ever are in need of rescue. Many are simply being abandoned. Though our sanctuary is filled beyond capacity, we are doing everything in our power to make sure that each animal finds a good home.

In addition to our “orphaned animals” blog, Return to Freedom has launched the Commanche Memorial Fund to help horses in need of rescue.

Read our Holiday Newsletter Online

Some of you may have received our recent mailing with an incomplete cover letter. We are deeply sorry for this mistake. Please click here to read the entire letter.

Thank you Rachel Brandes for your wonderful video!

Please click here to see 9 year old Rachel Brandes’ video project to help save wild horses.

4th Annual Spirit of the Horse

Spirit Of The Horse 2008Thank you to all of our supporters for making the 2009 Spirit of the Horse event a beautiful and joyous celebration. Click here to share in the experience.

 

Return to Freedom urgently needs your help.

Please consider making a donation today to help us purchase hay for our equine residents, or Sponsoring a Horse to help provide feed and care for a specific horse at the sanctuary.

  • $25 will help feed and care for 1 horse for a week
  • $50 will help feed and care for a mare and her foal for a week
  • $100 will help feed and care for 1 horse for a month
  • $250 will help to feed a small family band for 1 month

Donate now via paypal.

Making a payment from outside the U.S.? Check currency conversion rates here.

Want to help protect America's wild horses?

Download our "Take Action Packet" today. You can help Return to Freedom raise awareness about the plight of our remaining wild horse herds by sharing the Take Action Packet with friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers. Also, please consider making a donation today! Your generosity helps us provide sanctuary for over 200 wild horses and burros.

Did you know that our wild horses are actually a re-introduced native wildlife species?

Traditionally, horses were thought of as an exotic species that arrived on this continent for the first time with the Spanish in the 1500s. However, advances in molecular biology prove that the modern horse, Equus Caballus, actually evolved on this continent and migrated across the Bering Land Bridge. Though the horse disappeared on this continent between 11,000 and 13,000 years ago, when the Spanish brought horses back to North America they were simply returning home. Click here to read more.