Second Chance Ranch
The ARL's Kruidenier Second Chance Ranch is a safe haven for horses rescued from abuse, neglect and abandonment, and it is also a temporary home for other barn animals waiting for new, loving families.
While horses often come to us in very rough shape, we give them the nutrition and care they need to become mentally and physically healthy. Once they’re ready, we help them find their forever homes.
Please note that the ARL only adopts animals as family pets, not for consumption or research. This provision in our adoption contract is strictly enforced.
Adopt a Horse or Barn Animal
To see our currently available horses and other barn animals, please visit the Find a Pet page, or choose below.
Looking for a Working Cat?
If you are interested in adopting our working cats and can provide them with food and shelter year-round, please fill out the interest form below to get started.
Things to Consider Before Adopting
Congratulations on deciding to adopt a horse or barn pet! Adopting a barn pet is a great experience but can present unforeseen challenges for adopters. Our staff will work with you to make sure you are ready for this new addition to your home by helping you consider the following items.
Adopters
- Adopters cannot sell, give away or slaughter an adopted animal, or use an adopted animal in any research study.
- Adopters cannot breed any animal adopted from Second Chance Ranch.
- Adopted animals cannot be used in commercial ventures such as pony rides, dude strings, etc.
Equipment
It’s important you have the right equipment and setup to care for and enrich your barn pet properly for each species. Our staff can help you arrange a list of items but a great checklist for horses can be viewed here.
Also be sure to check with our staff for anything you need, we can help you shop our new or gently used items we have at the Second Chance Ranch Tack Shop!
Food & Water
- It’s important to research ahead of time about what each barn pet species needs for a proper diet and where you can purchase hay, grain, feed etc.
- Access to fresh and clean water is necessary for every barn pet species and you will need to make sure tanks are regularly cleaned, filled, and that heaters are placed in them during freezing temperatures.
Health & Wellness
Owning a horse or barn pet will require you to have specialty veterinarians for overall health and dental care, and farriers for hoof care. Make sure to have these relationships established before bringing home your barn pet so you can get set up for routine care without interruption.
Shelter
- Proper housing is important for your horse or barn pet. Whether you are boarding or keeping the pet at home, they need a place to escape the elements. A shed or similar will suffice if you don’t have access to a barn and stalls.
- Your fencing must be safe, sturdy, and species appropriate.
Training & Skills
- The Second Chance Ranch recommends positive reinforcement training methods to socialize animals, to train for veterinarian and farrier visits, and for riding.
- Your skillset and goals must match with the barn pet you are adopting. Our staff will help match you with the right one and guide you to successful ownership!
- In some cases, professional trainers may be needed to help you and your barn pet further.
Foster or Sponsor a Barn Animal
The ARL’s Second Chance Ranch is a temporary home to many unique species — some of which need a break from the shelter.
Fostering a barn animal is not only a rewarding experience for the human, but it also gives roosters, pigs, horses and others a change of environment where they can continue to thrive until they find their forever home.
If you are interested in fostering or supporting the animals at the ARL’s Second Chance Ranch, please contact rescueranch@arl-iowa.org or fill out the foster application by clicking the button below.
Donate Hay for Horses
The ARL is currently seeking donations of hay to help the horses in our care and other horses in need.
Here are two easy ways:
• To make a hay donation, email rescueranch@arl-iowa.org.
• To make a monetary gift, go to ARL-Iowa.org/Donate and put “Hay for horses” in the gift reference.
Donate to the Second Chance Ranch Fund
Donating to the Second Chance Ranch Fund at the ARL directly supports the care and rehabilitation of horses and other barn animals rescued from abuse, neglect, and abandonment.
Do You Need Help With Your Horse or Barn Animal?
We understand that difficulties can arise, whether that is a sudden medical expense or a need to rehome your horse. We are now accepting owner-surrendered horses if you have a horse that you can no longer take care of, but want to ensure it goes into a good home. We may also be able to assist with one-time veterinary care. Fill out the form below, and someone from the ARL Second Chance Ranch will get back to you.
If you are looking to surrender barn animals or livestock, please click the button below.
Second Chance Ranch Tack Shop
Visit the ARL’s Second Chance Ranch Tack Shop for new or gently used equine supplies, saddles, grooming supplies, riding apparel, pet toys and more! Your purchase is tax free and all proceeds help provide daily care for the horses and other barn pets currently in our care.
Due to ongoing renovations at our Second Chance Ranch, please contact rescueranch@arl-iowa.org for Tack Shop inquiries and ordering.
Tack Shop Hours
- Wednesday through Friday: 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
- Saturday: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Host Your Event at the Second Chance Ranch
The ARL Second Chance Ranch has the space and facilities to host educational clinics, seminars, and private events. The arena is also available for private functions or open riding for 4H clubs, saddle clubs, and more. Please fill out our event request form below, and a staff member will be in touch!
The Right Horse Initiative Partner
As a partner in The Right Horse Initiative, we’re proud to support a national movement re-framing the conversation about equine adoption. The Right Horse Initiative is a collective of industry professionals and equine welfare advocates working together to improve the lives of horses in transition through a dialogue of kindness and respect. The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is working with The Right Horse Initiative to promote the bond between horses and humans. We are good people for good horses, and everyone who loves horses has ownership in this movement.
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