Federal regulations · Through 2026-08-25 · Newer source version available

43 CFR 4750.4-2: -2 Adoption fee.

(a) Does BLM charge an adoption fee for wild horses and burros?
You must pay an adoption fee for each wild horse or burro you adopt. Usually BLM will charge you a $125 base fee. BLM will not charge you an adoption fee for orphan foals.
(b) Can BLM increase the adoption fee?
Yes, BLM may increase the adoption fee. BLM may hold competitive adoption events for wild horses or burros. At competitive adoptions, qualified adopters set adoption fees through competitive bidding. For these adoptions, the fee is the highest bid received over the base fee of $125. Horses or burros remaining at the end of a competitive adoption event will be available for adoption at the established adoption fee.
(c) May BLM reduce or waive the adoption fee?
(1) The BLM Director may reduce or waive the fee when wild horses or burros are un-adoptable at the base adoption fee.
(2) A reduction or waiver of the adoption fee is available only if you are willing to comply with all regulations relating to wild horses and burros.

Where this section sits in the code

Title 43—Public Lands: Interior
Subtitle B—Regulations Relating to Public Lands
CHAPTER II—BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
SUBCHAPTER D—RANGE MANAGEMENT (4000) Group 4100—Grazing Administration
PART 4700—PROTECTION, MANAGEMENT, AND CONTROL OF WILD FREE-ROAMING HORSES AND BURROS
Subpart 4750—Private Maintenance

(a) Does BLM charge an adoption fee for wild horses and burros?

You must pay an adoption fee for each wild horse or burro you adopt. Usually BLM will charge you a $125 base fee. BLM will not charge you an adoption fee for orphan foals.

(b) Can BLM increase the adoption fee?

Yes, BLM may increase the adoption fee. BLM may hold competitive adoption events for wild horses or burros. At competitive adoptions, qualified adopters set adoption fees through competitive bidding. For these adoptions, the fee is the highest bid received over the base fee of $125. Horses or burros remaining at the end of a competitive adoption event will be available for adoption at the established adoption fee.

(1) The BLM Director may reduce or waive the fee when wild horses or burros are un-adoptable at the base adoption fee.

(2) A reduction or waiver of the adoption fee is available only if you are willing to comply with all regulations relating to wild horses and burros.

Collected 2026-08-27T02:26:15Z. Source file · JSON

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