I visited Return to Freedom once and could not stop going back. The work they do for nearly 500 horses and burros, as well as advocacy for wild horses on the range is incredible. So incredible that I was happy to become a member of their Board of Directors recently.
Over the past few years new staff are on board and the operation is really running on all cylinders. They work hard and every dollar is well spent.
Return To Freedom is an amazing organization providing not just sanctuary to more than 300 horses and but also working to help preserve the right for existing populations to live in the wild. They protect, educate and advocate so that we all, not just wildlife, benefit. We all benefit as well future generations from their conservation efforts. They deserve and need our support.
We were introduced to Return to Freedom in 2010. My husband and I drove to California from Washington State to "check it out." We were amazed by all the work Neda and her staff have done ( and continue to do ) to insure that these wild horses have the best care possible. Although being on a fixed income, we decided that their mission is so important that we have become monthly donors. It is money well spent and gives us a warm feeling that we are helping in some small way. Kudos to RTF and we thank them for their dedication to this cause.
"A man that don't love a horse, there is something the matter with him." ~~~ Will Rogers
"You can never do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too
late." ~~~~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
This is probably a very good organization. I called last year (2012), personally talked with a gal, and charged my donation on my Master Card. Return to Freedom never recorded my donation and, thus, never took the donation.
Review from CharityNavigator
I gave a donation last year over ($100) and never received a receipt or a thank you. I will never donate to this organization again.
Review from CharityNavigator
The heart of Neda DeMayo (founder of RTF) is as large as the acreage upon which hundreds of wild horses and burros now live free in Lompoc, CA. Understanding the social dynamics of wild horses, Return To Freedom has a policy of keeping intact the herds it rescues. RTF allows the horses to maintain their natural lifestyle and social behaviors while safely managing their population with non-hormonal and reversible contraception to the mares. Return To Freedom diligently works to educate others in order to stop the rapid removal of a living part of our national heritage. This sanctuary serves as a beautiful model for the care and preservation of America's wild horses and burros, demonstrating the absolute necessity to respect and cherish nature!
Wow, look at how the administrative expenses have jumped from '07 to '09. Neda DeMayo being compensated $57,000 for realizing a life long dream while consuming 6.14% of total expenses is way too much. To realize a life long dream most would sacrifice much. Appears Ned DeMayo started something to bleed the hearts of interested persons and then choose to bleed their wallets once there appeared the opportunity.
Review from CharityNavigator
A wonderful equine rescue and sanctuary dedicated to the preservation of America's wild horses and burros. They have great outreach to the community and other wild horse organizations. They have saved the lives of hundreds of horses, educate the public and preserve valuable wild horse gene pools.