MISSION & PROGRAMS
Mission:The mission of February Star Sanctuary is to rescue, rehabilitate and provide a permanent refuge for horses in need. We help the community with outreach programs to help children develop compassion for rescue animals at an early age. Teaching our children to respect and protect even the smallest among us is one of the most important life lessons we can pass on. Our goal with this sanctuary is to give the unwanted a home and to teach children compassion.
Our organization provides programs involved with equine rescue, adoption & retirement
Our organization provides community outreach and/or public education programs involving horses.
Our organization is directly responsible for the care and shelter of equines involved in our programs.
Over 75% of our total programs and services are equine-related.
Our organization does not use satellite, overflow, foster, and/or outreach facilities
Equine Transition Services:Overview of our programs involved with rescue, rehabilitation, retraining, re-homing and/or retirement (RRRRR):
Equine Rehabilitation:
When horses arrive at February Star Sanctuary, they are given a complete medical examination to determine their rehabilitation and treatment plan. We rehabilitate horses coming from severe neglect or abusive situations and bring them back to health.
Equine Adoption:
After assessment and rehabilitation, February Star Sanctuary evaluates each horse for soundness for riding. Rehabilitated horses who are found sound for riding are matched with an adoptive owner that fits the horse's needs and abilities. Pasture Buddies - horses assessed to be no longer suitable for riding, but are wonderful companions for other horses - are also matched with adoptive owners that fit their needs and abilities.
Equine Sanctuary:
While many horses are adopted through February Star Sanctuary, we are also a permanent refuge. Many horses find a loving forever home and safe haven at February Star Sanctuary, with a skilled staff that provides rehabilitation, treatment, and the loving care they deserve.
Community Outreach and/or Public Education:
Overview of our programs involved with providing community outreach and/or public education programs involving horses:
February Star Sanctuary has a variety of community outreach programs structured to correspond with our pillar programs. Community outreach programs include educational seminars at community centers, sanctuary tours, social media and physical marketing, and participation at an array of trade shows year-round.
Research/Medical Use of Equines:Our organization has never made, and would not ever consider making, equines available for research studies or medical training that involves invasive procedures and/or that which may cause pain or suffering to the equine.
Religious Affiliation:Our organization does not promote religious education, religious purposes, or a specific religious faith or use donations for religious education or religious purposes; require participants to be of a certain faith; require participation in religious, instruction, activities or services; or require participation in prayer, worship, religious instruction or other religious activities as a condition of receiving social or secular services offered.
Auction Donation:Our organization has never allowed, or would not consider allowing, an equine to be sold, transferred, released, or otherwise placed into possession of any person or organization that would cause or allow the equine to be sold at auction for slaughter.
Our Programs/Activities that are not equine-related and/or involving animals other than equines:
Cat Rescue, Adoption, & Sanctuary
February Star Sanctuary rescues cats in need and finds them loving forever homes or provides lifetime sanctuary.
Trap-Neuter-Return Program
February Star Sanctuary’s Trap-Neuter-Return program assists in the humane control of the growing community cat population in Frederick County, Maryland through spaying and neutering efforts, vaccine administration, FIV/FeLV testing, ear-tipping, and returning, rehoming, and/or sanctuary of community cats.
Caring for Cats of the Homeless Program
February Star Sanctuary is partnered with human service agencies in order to provide temporary shelter for cats of homeless individuals and families for up to one year.
POLICIES: ACQUISITION
Our organization acquires horses/equines from the following source(s):
Donation
Purchase/Adoption from Owner
Auction
Kill pen/Feedlot
Return
Surrender
Seizure
Abandonment
Our organization does not acquire horses/equines from the following source(s):
Lease
Our organization will accept the following:
Geldings
Mares
Not Checked:
Pregnant Mares
Foals
Stallions
Only Stallions to be castrated
Additional information about our acquisition policies and practices:
No Stallions / We have space for foals just haven't had any in last three years
POLICIES: INTAKE, ASSESSMENT & TRAININING
Prior to a horse being accepted and/or arriving at the facility, the organization requires the following with respect to the health status of the horse:
A current Coggins
Vaccination records that have been administered within the last 12 months
If health records are not available or are out-of-date, our veterinarian will administer appropriate vaccinations
Not Checked:
If health records are not available or are out-of-date, the owner is responsible for having vaccinations administered.
A health certificate signed by a veterinarian and dated no more than seven days prior to arrival is provided to our organization either prior to or upon arrival of the equine or a pre-purchase examination by a veterinarian is conducted attesting to the health status of the equine
Prior to a horse being accepted and/or arriving at the facility, the organization has the following policies in place:
The owner of a potential equine is interviewed over the phone or in person prior to seeing the equine
The owner completes an application/contract which constitutes the agreement between the owner and our organization
Not Checked:
The equine is evaluated at its place of residence
The owner is financially responsible for the shipping of the equine to and from the organization
Equines are not taken on trial
Equines are on trial for up to 30 days
Equines are on trial up to 60 days
Equines are on trial for 60 or more days
The trial period may be reduced based on the equine's progress
During the trial period, the organization accepts total financial responsibility for the care of the equine, including board, feed, shoeing and any necessary veterinary care
During the trial period, the organization accepts financial responsibility for the care of the equine, including board, feed, shoeing and any necessary veterinary care, up to a fixed amount agreed upon by the organization and the owner
During the trial period, the owner/donor is financially responsible for the care of the equine, including board, feed, shoeing and any necessary veterinary care
The trial period may be terminated by either the organization or the owner for any reason
Following arrival of the equine at the facility, the following is performed:
Physical examination by trained barn staff
Photographs are taken of each equine upon arrival at the facility and kept with the equine's health records
A Henneke Body Conditioning Score or other body conditioning score is assigned
Physical examination by a farrier
Physical examination by a dentist
Coggins test
Vaccinations
De-worming
Not Checked:
Physical examination by a veterinarian upon arrival and/or prior to offsite quarantine departure
Blood work other than Coggins
Fecal test
The equine is scanned to check for a microchip
The equine is microchipped if the scan indicates that there is no microchip
Upon intake, the organization has the following quarantine policy in place:
The equine is confined to a designated and separate area for isolation and quarantine
at the facility for a prescribed period of time
Not Checked:
The equine is confined to a designated and separate area for isolation and quarantine off-site for a prescribed period of time
The equine is not quarantined
The typical length of quarantine is:
Up to 10 days
Horses are assessed for following skills and behaviors:
Retrieval from a pasture/paddock
Leading with a halter and lead rope
Temperament, disposition and attitude, such as rated from very calm to very high spirited
Known vices, i.e., cribbing, biting, kicking, weaving, stall walking, etc
Not Checked:
Saddling
Bridling
Lunging
Loading onto and unloading off a trailer
Mounting and dismounting
Riding at the walk
Riding at the trot
Riding at the canter
Riding by a beginner and/or unbalanced rider
Jumping
Driving (Pulling a carriage)
Tolerance to unusual objects and loud noises
Grooming
Bathing
Clipping
Tolerance to multiple handlers at the same time
Our organization has the following policies and procedures in place pertaining to the ongoing assessment of horses in its care:
The Henneke Body Condition score or other body conditioning score is updated at least annually
Photographs are taken of each equine annually and kept with the equine's health records
Physical examination by a veterinarian at least annually
Not Checked:
Photographs are taken of each equine monthly and kept with the equine's health records
Equines at our facility may be treated by an equine chiropractor
Equines at our facility may be treated by an equine acupuncturist
Equines at our facility may be treated by an equine massage therapist
Equines at our facility may be treated by an equine nutritionist
Our organization has the following policies and procedures in place pertaining to the weight-carrying or workload capabilities of horses/equines that are ridden in our care:
Our organization evaluates at least annually and maintains a written record of the weight-carrying and workload limitations for each equine that is ridden
Not Checked:
Our organization does not evaluate the weight-carrying and workload limitations for each equine that is ridden
No equines are ridden; not applicable
The following variables are considered in determining the weight-carrying and workload limitations for each equine that is ridden:
Equine age, weight, breed, body condition, fitness, balance, health and soundness
Equine conformation to include the top line, length of back, strength and width of loin, bone density (measured by the circumference of the cannon bone just below the knee)
Size, shape, condition and angle of the hooves
Participant weight, height, body proportions, balance, fitness and riding skills as well as behavioral issues and safety concerns
Weight and proper fit of the saddle and other equipment
Not Checked:
Terrain and footing in the working environment
Duration and frequency of working sessions, as the frequency with which an equine is subjected to maximum weight carrying and/or workload
Nature and pace of work, repetitive or varied, radius of turns, degree of incline and regularity of footing when equine is subject to maximum weight-carrying capacity
Temperature and/or weather conditions
Seasonal impact on the equines' workload and weight-carrying capabilities and limitations
Our organization does not evaluate the weight-carrying and workload limitations for each equine that is ridden
No equines are ridden; not applicable
Horses provided formal training (groundwork or riding):
Weekly
POLICIES: BREEDING
The organization has the following policies related to breeding and stallions:
Our main facility where our organization conducts its programs does NOT breed equines.
Not Checked:
One or more of the facilities where our organization conducts its programs, including foster facilities, breeds equines
One or more of the facilities where our organization conducts its programs, including foster facilities, are permitted to house stallions
POLICIES: EUTHANASIA
The organization has the following policies related to euthanasia:
Our organization will never have an equine euthanized for space
Our organization will have an equine euthanized upon the recommendation of the veterinarian after all reasonable treatment options have been explored
Euthanasia is done on site when possible to decrease trauma from transport
Not Checked:
Our organization will never have an equine euthanized under any circumstances
Our organization will have an equine euthanized upon the recommendation of the veterinarian if the equine is a threat to itself, other equines, or people
Euthanasia is done at the veterinarian's facility
Disposal of the carcass is handled within 24 hours
The following are authorized to administer the procedure for your organization in accordance with state laws:
Veterinarian
Not Checked:
A certified euthanasia technician
Senior staff with appropriate training
Employee of animal control shelter or humane society with appropriate training
Veterinary student under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian
Not applicable. Our organization prohibits euthanasia under any circumstances
POLICIES: RE-HOMING
View Re-homing AgreementOur organization has the following re-homing (adoption/purchase) policies and procedures in place:
All potential adopters/purchasers complete a written contract which constitutes the agreement between our organization and the new owner
Potential adopters/purchasers must visit our organization and be observed with the equine on site
The distance of a potential adopter/purchaser's home from our facility is a consideration for when re-homing an equine
Not Checked:
Our organization does NOT re-home an equine to first time equine owners
Our organization will only re-home an equine to a location where another equine resides
Our organization conducts a site visit of the adopter/purchaser's facility before the transfer of the equine to the adopter/purchaser's facility
Potential adopters/purchasers are encouraged to do a short-term, on-site foster with the equine
Adopters/purchasers are NOT required to provide updates
The uploaded Re-homing agreement includes the following re-homing (adoption/purchase) statements:
The agreement reflects that any individual or organization in possession of the equine as of the date of the agreement and any time thereafter is bound to not sell the equine at auction for slaughter or allow the equine to be sold, transferred, released, or otherwise placed into possession of any person or organization that will cause or allow the equine to be sold at auction for slaughter.
The agreement states that re-homed equines cannot be bred
The agreement states that our organization reserves the right to make scheduled visits
Not Checked:
The agreement states that should the adopter decide to re-home the equine, our organization must be notified of the name, address, and telephone number of any individual or organization intending to take possession of the equine for any reason prior to the equine being placed into the possession of such individual or organization.
The agreement states that the re-homed equine CANNOT be sold, adopted, transferred, auctioned, released, given away, or otherwise placed into the possession of another individual or organization under any circumstances and must be returned to our organization should the adopter decide that he/she is no longer able, or no longer wishes, to care for the equine.
The agreement states that should the adopter decide to re-home the equine, our organization must grant approval of any individual or organization intending to take possession of the equine for any reason prior to the equine being placed into the possession of such individual or organization, including being provided written notification of the name, address, and telephone number of any individual or organization intending to take possession of the equine for any reason.
The agreement states that the terms of our organization's agreement will be binding on any future individual or organization taking and/or in possession of the equine for any reason.
The agreement states that if there is any breach of contract the equine must be returned to our organization
The agreement states that our organization reserves the right to make unannounced visits
The agreement states that adopters/purchasers can return an equine to our organization free of charge
The agreement states that adopters/purchasers can return an equine to our organization for a fee
The agreement states that adopters/purchasers are required to provide updates (photos, vet records) for one year
The agreement states that adopters/purchasers are required to provide updates (photos, vet records) for two years
The agreement states that adopters/purchasers are required to provide updates (photos, vet records) for three or more years
None of the statements are included.
The organization does not re-home equines under any circumstances; our organization retains custody of our equines and ensures care of the equines for their lifetimes.
Our organization does not have the authority to transfer ownership and/or does not own any of the equines involved with our programs.
Our organization requires references from the following:
Veterinarian
Farrier
Personal/Other
Not Checked:
Not applicable or no references required.
Transfer of ownership occurs:
Immediately (at the time of adoption/purchase) or less than one year
The average equine re-homing (adoption/purchase) fee received by your organization:
$751 to $1,000
Our organization has the following policies and procedures related to horses that need to be retired, are no longer able to contribute to the mission of the organization, and/or are no longer manageable:
Equines may remain at our organization for their lifetimes
Equines may be found suitable homes by our organization
Not Checked:
Equines may be returned to their owners
Equines may be sent to auction
In the case an equine is unmanageable and demonstrates repeated dangerous behaviors, the equine may be euthanized upon the recommendation of the veterinarian
In the case an equine is unsound and/or unhealthy and cannot be treated to relieve suffering, the equine may be euthanized upon the recommendation of the veterinarian
If a suitable home cannot be located within 12 months, the equine may be euthanized
The organization will accept financial responsibility for equines in the current care of the organization that need to be retired or are no longer able to contribute to the mission of the organization if all alternatives have been explored to find the equine an appropriate placement and space is not available for the equine to remain at the organization.
EQUINE CARE & SHELTER/FACILITY INFORMATION
Total facilities at which our organization cares for and shelters horses used in our programs:
1Our organization does not use satellite, overflow, foster, and/or outreach facilities
February Star Sanctuary
3910 Ausherman Rd Knoxville MD 21758
Contact: Phyllis Smith
Contact's Phone: 410-370-4402
Contact's Email: februarystarsanctuary@gmail.com
Currently operational
Does your organization own, lease or use a part of this facility? Lease
Provide the contact information for the individual or organization responsible for investigating
abuse in the county where the facility is located, including mailing address, email address, and phone information.
Frederick County Animal Control
1832 Rosemont Ave
Frederick, MD 21702
301-600-1546
animalcontrol@frederickcountymd.gov
Does your organization conduct Equine Assisted Services (EAS) at this facility in accordance with the
EQUUS Foundation Guidelines on Qualifications of Organizations Conducting Equine Assisted Services (EAS)? No
February Star Sanctuary
Veterinarian InformationVeterinarian: Lisa Wagner
Clinic Name: Wagner Equine Vet Services
40110 Quailrun Court
Lovettsville VA 20180
Phone: 540-822-5929