Transparency at RHSAVES horse rescue

 

 

 

 

                    ARIZONA SPECIALTY LICENSE PLATE

             HORSE RESCUE COALITION FUND - OFFICIAL BOOKLET

                        RH Saves Horse Rescue

                  Casas Adobes, Arizona 85741

              Founder: Julie Rogiers - rhsaves

                  For ADOT Submission 2026

 

MISSION:

To provide emergency hay, farrier, dental, and life-saving veterinary

care for Arizona's at-risk horses, ponies, miniature horses, mules,

donkeys, burros, draft horses, and BLM wild horses/burros through

qualified rescue organizations and private citizens in temporary

hardship, to prevent slaughter, starvation, and impound.

 

FUND MODEL:

Based on ARS 28-2422.02 Arizona Pet Friendly & Animal Friend Plate

$25 specialty fee = $8 to ADOT Highway Fund / $17 to Horse Rescue Fund

First $32,000 collected reimburses ADOT setup cost

Maximum 10% admin per year, Minimum 90% must be awarded as grants

Funds do NOT lapse, do NOT revert to state, continuously appropriated

All payments over $500 paid DIRECTLY TO VENDOR (vet, feed store, farrier)

Separate accounting, annual CPA audit, public report by Dec 31

 

CONTENTS:

Page 2 - Master Allocation Table - Hard Caps Per Animal

Page 3 - Expense Sheets - Ponies, Minis, Donkeys, Mules, Drafts

Page 4 - Natural Disaster Assistance Fund

Page 5 - Private Citizen Hardship, BLM Wild Horse/Burro, Leftover Funds

Page 6 - Exemptions - Performance Horses & Service Profit Disqualification

 

PAGE 2 - MASTER ALLOCATION TABLE - HARD CAPS PER ANIMAL PER YEAR

 

NO ANIMAL MAY EXCEED ITS TOTAL CAP FROM CATEGORIES 1-6 COMBINED PER YEAR

 

TOTAL HARD CAPS:

Light Horse (under 1,600 lbs): $2,000 MAX/YEAR

Draft Horse (1,600+ lbs Belgian, Percheron, Clydesdale, Shire, Suffolk): $3,000 MAX/YEAR

Mule (horse x donkey, 900-1400 lbs): $2,000 MAX/YEAR

Donkey / Burro (400-900 lbs): $1,800 MAX/YEAR

Pony (11h-14h, under 900 lbs): $1,500 MAX/YEAR

Miniature Horse (under 38", under 400 lbs): $1,200 MAX/YEAR

BLM Wild Horse/Burro (leftover funds only): $1,000 MAX/YEAR

 

TABLE: PER ANIMAL PER YEAR ALLOWANCE

 

CATEGORY 1 - DENTAL:

Light: Routine Float $200 max / Surgery/Extraction $400 max

Draft: $350 / $650 max

Mule: $225 / $425 max

Donkey/Burro: $200 / $400 max

Pony: $200 / $350 max

Mini: $175 / $300 max

 

CATEGORY 2 - HAY/FEED/SUPPLEMENTS:

Light Rescue: $750 max ($150 per 30 days) / Private Hardship: $250 max

Draft Rescue: $1,200 max ($240 per 30) / Private: $400 max

Mule Rescue: $750 / Private $250

Donkey/Burro Rescue: $600 / Private $200

Pony Rescue: $500 / Private $200

Mini Rescue: $400 / Private $150 (eats 1/3)

 

CATEGORY 3 - HOOF/FARRIER:

Light: Trim $300 max / Full Shoes $600 max

Draft: Trim $600 / Shoes $1,200 max (needs 2 handlers, extra steel)

Mule: $300 / $600 (harder feet)

Donkey/Burro: $250 / $500 (different angle)

Pony: $250 / $500

Mini: $200 / $400

 

CATEGORY 4 - EMERGENCY TRANSPORT REGULAR (Non-Disaster):

Light/Pony/Mini/Donkey: NOT COVERED

Mule: $300 max emergency only

Draft: $500 max/year - Law enforcement seizure OR life-threatening hospital only. Draft trailer required.

 

CATEGORY 5 - LAW ENFORCEMENT INTAKE (Sick/Injured Seized):

Light: $1,500 per intake / $2,000 max/year

Draft: $2,000 per intake / $3,000 max/year

Mule: $1,500 / $2,000 max

Donkey/Burro: $1,200 / $1,800 max

Pony: $1,200 / $1,500 max

Mini: $800 / $1,200 max

 

CATEGORY 6 - EMERGENCY VET HOSPITALIZATION & EUTHANASIA:

Must have vet letter: "Will die within 48 hours without care"

Light: $2,000 max/year (Euth+Disposal $400 included)

Draft: $3,000 max (Euth $600 included)

Mule: $2,000 (Euth $400)

Donkey/Burro: $1,800 (Euth $400)

Pony: $1,500 (Euth $350)

Mini: $1,200 (Euth $300)

 

All >$500 paid direct to vendor. Requires invoice, photos.

 

PAGE 3 - EXPENSE SHEETS - REAL COST JUSTIFICATION

 

WHY DRAFT COSTS MORE: Double sedation, 2x steel, 2 handlers, 30-40 lbs hay/day vs 20 lbs, draft-size trailer. ADOT approved model from other states.

 

PONIES (11h-14h, under 900 lbs):

Real Arizona Cost: Hay $75-110/mo, Dental $200, Farrier $45 trim, Emergency $3k-7k colic

Fund Allowance: $1,500 max/year total

- Dental $200/$350, Hay $500 rescue/$200 private, Hoof $250/$500, Intake $1200/$1500, Emergency $1500/$350 euth

 

MINIATURE HORSES (under 38", under 400 lbs):

Real Cost: Hay $40-70/mo (1/3 horse), Dental $175 mini tools, Farrier $40 trim, Emergency $2.5k-5k tricky anesthesia

Fund: $1,200 max/year total

- Dental $175/$300, Hay $400/$150, Hoof $200/$400, Intake $800/$1200, Emergency $1200/$300 euth

 

DONKEYS / BURROS (400-900 lbs):

Real Cost: Hay $90-130/mo low protein, Dental $200 needs donkey specialist, Farrier $55 different angle, Emergency $4k-8k stoic

Fund: $1,800 max/year total

- Dental $200/$400, Hay $600/$200, Hoof $250/$500, Intake $1200/$1800, Emergency $1800/$400 euth

 

MULES (900-1400 lbs):

Real Cost: Hay $135-150/mo same as horse, Dental $225 complex, Farrier $65 needs 2 handlers, Emergency $5k-10k sedation harder

Fund: $2,000 max/year total

- Dental $225/$425, Hay $750/$250, Hoof $300/$600, Transport $300 emergency, Intake $1500/$2000, Emergency $2000/$400 euth

 

DRAFT HORSES (1600+ lbs):

Real Cost: Hay $200-300/mo 30-40 lbs/day, Dental $300-450 double drugs, Farrier $85-120 trim $250-400 shoes

Fund: $3,000 max/year total

- Dental $350/$650, Hay $1200/$400, Hoof $600/$1200, Transport $500, Intake $2000/$3000, Emergency $3000/$600 euth

 

All equines require same verification: invoice, photos, vet letter.

 

PAGE 4 - NATURAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE FUND

 

EXTRA FUNDING - DOES NOT COUNT TOWARD $2,000/$3,000 ANNUAL CAP

Activates ONLY when natural disaster declared by County Emergency Management, Arizona Dept of Agriculture, or Governor's Office: Wildfire, Flood, Monsoon Damage, Dust Storm Mass Incident, Other Unforeseen Event

 

FUNDING SOURCE: Tier 1 Emergency Reserve $25,000 held year-round. If depleted, may use up to 50% of Tier 2 rollover. If Governor declares state emergency, board may vote to use up to 100% of annual fund for disaster.

 

A. EMERGENCY TRANSPORTATION DURING NATURAL DISASTER: $150 per equine per disaster event

Who: Any AZ horse, pony, mini, mule, donkey, burro, draft, BLM horse/burro that must evacuate disaster zone

What: $150 max flat per equine per disaster for emergency hauling 50-100 miles. Covers fuel + hookup.

Requires: Disaster declaration # or Fire Incident #, evacuation order screenshot or Sheriff notice, before/after location, hauler invoice with trailer photo. Paid direct to hauler.

Limit: One transport per equine per disaster event.

 

B. TEMPORARY BOARDING ASSISTANCE DUE TO NATURAL DISASTER: $300 cap for one month per equine

Who: Owner displaced by disaster whose property is uninhabitable or under evacuation order. Rescue evacuating its own herd also qualifies.

What: $300 max per equine for 30 days emergency boarding. Real cost AZ boarding $10-20/day = $300-600/mo, this covers 50% bridge.

Requires: Proof evacuation (Red Cross, Sheriff, Fire), proof property damage (photos), boarding facility invoice from facility outside disaster zone (licensed or 501c3 rescue). Paid direct to boarding facility, 15 days at a time.

Limit: 30 days per disaster, max 60 days per year per equine. Must re-apply with rescue co-sign after 30 days.

 

C. SPECIAL VETERINARIAN ALLOWANCE DUE TO NATURAL DISASTER: $2,000 max per equine per disaster event

Who: Any equine injured directly by disaster - smoke inhalation, burns, laceration from debris, colic from stress, dehydration

What: $2,000 max per equine per disaster for emergency vet care caused by disaster. Real cost: Smoke inhalation $800-2500, burns $1500-5000+, wounds $500-3000.

Requires: Vet letter stating "directly attributed to [Fire/Flood Name] disaster event", disaster declaration #, photos of injury, treatment estimate. Paid direct to vet hospital.

Limit: $2,000 per equine per disaster event, max 1 per year. Does NOT count toward annual cap. So horse that already used $2,000 regular cap can still get $2,000 disaster vet if injured in fire.

 

TOTAL DISASTER PACKAGE PER EQUINE PER EVENT: $150 + $300 + $2,000 = $2,450 MAX - SEPARATE FROM REGULAR CAPS

All disaster payments listed separately in Dec 31 report as "Disaster Assistance - [Fire/Flood Name]"

 

EXAMPLE: Bella 900lb QH used $1,800 of $2,000 cap, then Marana Barn Fire. Transport $150 + Boarding $300 + Smoke inhalation vet $1,200 = $1,650 EXTRA from disaster reserve, regular cap still has $200 left.

 

PAGE 5 - PRIVATE CITIZEN HARDSHIP, BLM, LEFTOVER FUNDS

 

PRIVATE CITIZEN HARDSHIP - HEALTH, JOB LOSS, GRIEF:

Who: AZ resident, horse/equine located in AZ, not a performance horse, working with qualified rescue, experiencing health crisis, job loss, or sudden grief (death of spouse/child/partner)

 

Allowance:

Hay Bridge: Light $250, Draft $400, Mule $250, Donkey/Burro $200, Pony $200, Mini $150 - 1 per household per 12 months

Life-Saving Emergency: Up to full cap for that animal type per horse per year (Light $2000, Draft $3000, etc.) - Vet must certify will die within 48 hrs without care, paid direct to vet/hospital

 

Requirements: AZ ID, proof hardship (termination letter, medical note, obituary for grief), rescue referral letter, 2-hour Responsible Ownership Class, signed agreement not to sell/transfer for 12 months, max 50 community horses statewide per year

Paid direct to vendor only. No cash.

 

BLM WILD HORSE & BURRO - FROM LEFTOVER FUNDS ONLY:

Up to 20% of Tier 3 leftover funds may be used

$1,000 max per BLM horse/burro per year

Eligible: Hay $500, Farrier $200, Dental $200, Gentling/TIP Trainer Support $100, Emergency Vet $500 max

Requires: BLM Freeze Mark paperwork, AZ adoption paperwork, proof AZ location

Max 30 BLM animals per year statewide

Paid direct to vendor only. Cannot be used to purchase horse at auction or pay BLM fees. Only care after legal adoption.

 

LEFTOVER FUNDS - WHAT HAPPENS IF MONEY LEFT OVER:

Per ARS 28-2422.02 funds do NOT lapse, do NOT revert to state general fund. They stay in Horse Rescue Fund forever.

 

Tier 1 - Emergency Reserve: 20% - Hold up to $25,000 year-round untouched for large-scale seizure (10+ horses from one property) or natural disaster. Replenished first each year. Listed in report.

 

Tier 2 - Rollover: 60% - Rolls directly into next year's grant pool. If rollover >$10,000, board may vote to increase all per-horse caps by 10% for one year only. Example: $2,000 becomes $2,200 for one year.

 

Tier 3 - Community & BLM: 20% - Free community gelding clinics (prevents unwanted foals), free responsible ownership classes, youth education, BLM assistance $1,000 max per animal.

 

Zero funds revert. After 24 months unused, must be awarded. All balances public in Dec 31 report to Governor, Senate President, House Speaker, and ADOT.

 

PAGE 6 - EXEMPTIONS & DISQUALIFICATION & CERTIFICATION

 

EXEMPTION 1 - PERFORMANCE HORSES - NOT ELIGIBLE:

Any horse/equine actively competing for prize money, purse, points, or sponsorship in racing (any breed including quarter horse, thoroughbred, standardbred), rodeo, reining, cutting, barrel racing, team roping, endurance racing, or rated breed shows within last 90 days is INELIGIBLE for any fund. Purpose is rescue/hardship/slaughter prevention, not subsidizing sport or competition.

 

Rescue must sign attestation: "This equine is not an active performance horse and has not competed for prize money within 90 days."

Retired performance horses 12+ months retired ARE eligible with proof of retirement (vet letter, rescue intake, adoption contract showing retired status).

 

Also Exempt: Horses owned outside Arizona, horses owned by for-profit lesson/lease strings where horse is used >20 hrs/week for paid lessons.

 

EXEMPTION 2 - SERVICE PROFIT RESCUE DISQUALIFICATION - BOARD DECISION:

 

Purpose: Ensure funds go to true rescue, not businesses profiting from rescue as service model.

 

A rescue may be DISQUALIFIED 12-24 months by majority board vote if ANY:

 

1. Charging for Intake: Surrender fees over $500 per horse as standard business practice, or mandatory "training fees" to take horse

2. Lesson/Lease/Rental Profit: More than 40% of rescue's annual gross income from lessons, leases, pony rides, trail rides, rentals, birthday parties using rescue horses

3. Broker/Flip Model: Purchasing at auction and reselling within 90 days for profit over $1,000 per horse without documented rehab, vet care, training

4. Breeding While Rescuing: Intact breeding stallions or mares producing foals for sale while applying for rescue funds

5. Excessive Director Pay: IRS 990 shows Director or Board over $100,000/year from rescue, or over 30% of budget to payroll for family members

6. Service Fees as Barrier: Mandatory "service packages" (training, transport, boarding) over $1,500 on top of adoption fee

 

Process:

1. Concern raised in writing with evidence

2. 14-day notice via email + certified mail to rescue with specific concern, 14 days to respond with documents

3. Review at next monthly meeting, rescue may attend via Zoom

4. Vote: Majority non-conflicted board members to disqualify 12 months, 2/3 vote for 24 months

5. Appeal after 12 months with proof correction (updated 990, new fee schedule, breeding stopped)

6. Public Record: Listed in Dec 31 report as "Rescue XYZ - Disqualified Service Model - 12 month review" - factual only

 

Does NOT disqualify: Reasonable adoption fees $100-$1,200, $50-$300 owner surrender to cover hay/vet, educational clinics where 100% goes to horse care, boarding outside horses to fund rescue herd if boarding under 40% total income, BLM TIP trainers paid by BLM.

 

VERIFICATION FOR EVERY PAYMENT:

Vet/farrier/feed store/hauler/boarding invoice, before/after photos, weight tape photo + vet weight slip for drafts, law enforcement case # if seizure, disaster declaration # if disaster, hardship proof if private citizen, BLM freeze mark if BLM, 2 board signatures, separate accounting.

 

CERTIFICATION:

I, Julie Rogiers, Founder of RH Saves Horse Rescue, certify this allocation model is true, accurate, and follows best practices of Arizona Pet Friendly and Florida Animal Friend specialty plates, adapted 100% for equine rescue, with Arizona-specific provisions for draft horses, mules, burros, wild horses, and natural disasters.

 

Signature: ___________________________ Date: __________ County: __________ Signatures Collected: ________ Witness: _____