Blue Cross Appeal for homes

[Gingerwitch]

When I contacted the blue cross to get a companion when I lost my big lad and needed a third I never even got a response from them. Not even a thank you for enquiring we have nothing suitable but will pop you on our list.
So bit of mixed feelings when I see they are now wanting to find homes for a few of their current residents and an article has been written. I wonder how many good homes they will squander this time round ? It's only the horses that loose out. I ended up buying

 

[mavandkaz]

I have a Blue Cross pony, and must admit I wouldn't go back to them if I needed another. They were so difficult to deal with, the process dragged on for months, and I could have bought one cheaper then what I ended up paying in rehoming and transport fees - and he's only on loan from them.
It's not surprising they have more then they can cope with when the make it so hard.

 

[milliepops]

much as they get (rightfully) derided on here if i was looking for another charity horse I'd probably look at RSPCA first, they do sign them over eventually. I have 2 loaned from another charity and I understand why they are only loaned (seen first hand the state they come back in sometimes), but considering I've had mine 16 years without issue so far and am the last home they will have, it's a bit of a faff to keep proving I get their feet done regularly etc.

I did approach blue cross amongst others during lockdown 1 asking about youngsters and they did get back to me, perhaps it depends on who gets your enquiry.

 

[Scotsbadboy]

I contacted them recently and got two responses very quickly asking for more details from me and two potential companions. I didnt go any further (Im trying not to have a second) but first impressions were good!

 

[Wishfilly]

It's a real shame if they don't make their rehoming process as effective as it could be. I do understand the loan thing, though- because it would be really bad PR for a charity if they signed a pony over to someone and it later became a welfare case or was sold on to somewhere unsuitable. It is a problem for charities though, that people can buy a companion very cheaply and it is less of a faff.

I do wonder if they need to rethink their model a bit in terms of reducing rehoming fees and making sure the process is as efficient and easy as possible?

 

[milliepops]

tricky, isn't it, because although i find it really irritating to still pay an annual fee for horses that are just living out their last days, charging a fee does help the charity coffers and also stops total dreamers from applying :/ so do the hoops you have to jump through.

 

[Gingerwitch]

tricky, isn't it, because although i find it really irritating to still pay an annual fee for horses that are just living out their last days, charging a fee does help the charity coffers and also stops total dreamers from applying :/ so do the hoops you have to jump through.

Hoops I can do fees I can do.... but not even an acknowledgement of an enquiry I cannot do d did phoneand email.

 

[Wishfilly]

tricky, isn't it, because although i find it really irritating to still pay an annual fee for horses that are just living out their last days, charging a fee does help the charity coffers and also stops total dreamers from applying :/ so do the hoops you have to jump through.

I didn't realise annual fees were a thing- especially when you're covering all of their costs! I suppose it is slightly different if it is a ridden horse, but I do think it is a bit steep for retirees!

I see the pros and cons of rehoming fees, because charities need to cover their costs, and it puts off people who probably can't really afford the cost of horse ownership. But I also wonder if it should be waived in certain circumstances?

I think it's really complicated- I've been sort of thinking about getting a companion in the spring from a local charity because I support what they are trying to do, and also it probably wouldn't be a long term thing. But I've also thought of offering a loan home for an older/non-ridden pony, and I suspect that would probably work out cheaper for me, and perhaps less hassle too.

 

[milliepops]

I didn't realise annual fees were a thing- especially when you're covering all of their costs! I suppose it is slightly different if it is a ridden horse, but I do think it is a bit steep for retirees!

I see the pros and cons of rehoming fees, because charities need to cover their costs, and it puts off people who probably can't really afford the cost of horse ownership. But I also wonder if it should be waived in certain circumstances?

I think it's really complicated- I've been sort of thinking about getting a companion in the spring from a local charity because I support what they are trying to do, and also it probably wouldn't be a long term thing. But I've also thought of offering a loan home for an older/non-ridden pony, and I suspect that would probably work out cheaper for me, and perhaps less hassle too.

yeah it's not a big sum and it's probably fair in terms of covering their costs of checking up on them annually. from MY pov that is unnecessary, from theirs it is necessary, and objectively as it's a charity I should be happy to make the donation (!)

I think I feel the same as the upfront fees, they are charities dependent on donations and you don't get owt for nowt generally so it's fair to ask for the fee. but... yeah. it's just another cost for a retired horse!

 

[Wishfilly]

yeah it's not a big sum and it's probably fair in terms of covering their costs of checking up on them annually. from MY pov that is unnecessary, from theirs it is necessary, and objectively as it's a charity I should be happy to make the donation (!)

I think I feel the same as the upfront fees, they are charities dependent on donations and you don't get owt for nowt generally so it's fair to ask for the fee. but... yeah. it's just another cost for a retired horse!

For ridden/project horses, I think charity fees are very reasonable, so I wonder if there is mileage in upping those a bit, and reducing companion fees?

Particularly, as sometimes the horses that charities advertise as a "companion" aren't really companions in the true sense of the word, as they often can't be left whilst another horse is ridden, for example.

To be fair to the Blue Cross, from looking at their website, they can now sign horses over to the loaner after a certain time period.

 

[shamrock2021]

A local charity does the same thing . I think they want people to foster than actually rehome.

 

[Tiddlypom]

much as they get (rightfully) derided on here if i was looking for another charity horse I'd probably look at RSPCA first, they do sign them over eventually.

Yes, I got first dibs on buying outright the two youngsters that I fostered from the RSPCA.

If you take one on with a view to it becoming permanent, you have it on appro for a period of IIRC 6 months, with regular checks. Then once it’s yours, it’s yours.

 

[mavandkaz]

I don't have problem with it being a loan, that's exactly why I went for a rescue pony - it was to keep my elderly pony company until it was time to say goodbye, so liked the fact they would find him another home. Has backfired a bit as that was 5yrs ago, and little old lady is going strong, now 36yrs old!
Blue Cross do now sign companion ponies over. My boy can't be as he was originally from WHW and they don't.
Blue Cross don't charge an annual fee for loaning (that is quite shocking that charities are doing that) and I can claim back vaccination fees.
I don't have an issue with them, I just can't believe how difficult they made it - it only happened in the end as I told them I was walking away and going elsewhere. Hopefully I was just unlucky.

 

[honetpot]

My friend is loaning her horse through them. Its cost her a fair amount of time, and money. It's been vet checked and vet report, even though its non-ridden and its only just gone live on their website. So on both sides its takes time.
The reason she is using them is the last person that seemed serious as soon as she said she wanted to see where he was going, they ghosted her. He is being rehomed from home.

 

[Equi]

The same happens frequently here. They blame the lack of communication on not having enough money to have staff to do phones etc. Potentially losing many homes and donors.

 

[HorseyTee]

I have a BC pony and I found them so easy to deal with, always with fast helpful replies, I viewed and got pony within just a couple of weeks, and they were always there for advice if ever needed. After 18 months he was signed over to me so he's mine now. They have a clause that ponies must go back to them if your circumstances change but I like that I know he'd have somewhere safe to go.
I'd definitely have another off them.

 

[Barnsey]

I have one from the Blue Cross as well, never had any issues, and she is now signed over to me, I would have another from them tomorrow ?