Reporting Neglect/Abuse Information

To report a case of abuse and neglect, you need to contact the Animal Control or Sheriff's department in the county where the equine is located. Because some of these agencies do not have experience with large animals, please advise them that USERL is available to transport and shelter seized equine at no cost to their county (if USERL is operating in their state - NC, VA, IN, KY). In addition to contacting your local law enforcement or if you do not feel comfortable contacting law enforcement, please email USERL's Investigation's Director with the following information:

Address for location of horses
Number of horses in need
Describe condition of horses and environment
Attach photos is applicable
Please note whether County Animal Control has been contacted

If you don't know where to find your county Animal Control information, you may be able to locate it using the Animal Shelter Database.

If you are not able to find your local animal control, or you do not receive a response, please email our Investigations Director.

If we do not cover the county/state where you wish to report abuse, please try this database of Horse Welfare Organizations.

*What happens after I complete a Neglect Reporting Form?
The neglect report goes directly to the Investigations Director, and from there the case is assigned to the appropriate regional personnel. If we have questions about the case, we will contact you. We kindly ask that you do not call and leave a message as USERL volunteers are not always able to reply to telephone messages regarding cruelty investigations. We thank you for your understanding and concern.