Hope's Legacy Equine Rescue

Mission: Hope's Legacy Equine Rescue, Inc. is an all-breed equine rescue organization founded in 2008 by Executive Director Maya Proulx, dedicated to rehabilitating horses and donkeys in Central Virginia. The organization operates from Castle Rock Farm in Afton, Virginia, where they care for 20 or more horses and donkeys daily.

Services Offered:

• Equine Adoption: The organization facilitates horse and donkey adoptions through a comprehensive process that includes application review, reference checks, and meet-and-greet visits. Applications are processed within 1-2 weeks, and approval is valid for one year.
• Foster Program: Provides temporary housing for equines during acute space needs, particularly during law enforcement seizures, while the rescue maintains financial and legal responsibility.
• Transportation Services: Offers trailering services for adopted equines at $2 per mile one way from their farm or foster locations to new homes.
• Adoption Holds: Allows potential adopters to place a 10-day hold on an equine for $100 (non-refundable but applied toward adoption fee).

Volunteer Opportunities:

The organization relies heavily on volunteers and offers various positions including:
* Feeder Position: Essential role requiring volunteers aged 14+ (minors must volunteer with parents) to feed horses twice daily (7AM-9AM and 4PM-7PM). Responsibilities include filling feed buckets, distributing hay, mucking paddocks, maintaining water troughs, and caring for barn cats.
* General Volunteer Work: Manure pickup, horse grooming, yard work (mowing, fence repair, maintenance), fundraising assistance, and community event support.
* Professional Services: Welcomes volunteers with various professional skills, whether horse-related or not.

Volunteer Requirements:

• Attend volunteer orientation meeting
• Complete volunteer information sheet and liability waiver
• Attend 3 HLER events within 60 days of orientation
• Read and sign volunteer handbook
• Sign in/out when at Castle Rock Farm
• Feeders must be able to drive trucks and gators, lift 30-60 pounds, and possess basic equine knowledge

Visiting Policy:

The facility is open to visitors by appointment only. The organization maintains active social media presence on Facebook and Instagram and publishes a weekly email newsletter for volunteers containing educational content about equine behavior and handling.