Frequently Asked Questions

What is HorseAlert?

HorseAlert is a safe and streamlined emergency response strategy for horse owners and members of the equine community in Colorado that are impacted by fires and other natural disasters. The app matches people who need help evacuating horses with people with the skills and equipment necessary to help during emergencies.

How much does it cost to use HorseAlert?

HorseAlert is free for Coloradoans. We are funded by generous donors who want to ensure the safety of all horses.

Will this app alert me when I need to evacuate?

No. HorseAlert does not alert users when it is time to evacuate. Please rely on your local city/county emergency resources. And remember, don’t wait until the last minute to evacuate your horse.

Is HorseAlert only for equines?

Yes. If you have other animals, please plan to evacuate them through other methods.

Is this app affiliated with the Office of Emergency Management or other county/state departments?

No, HorseAlert is brought to you by Colorado Horse Rescue, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. CHR collaborated with a robust panel of emergency response agencies including animal control and emergency management professionals in order to provide this tool to the equine community.

How are you funded?

HorseAlert is 100% funded by the generous donations of its users and supporters to make this tool accessible and free for all horses and horse owners in Colorado. Donations to HorseAlert are tax deductible.

Who is liable if an issue happens when using HorseAlert? Where can I find Terms and Conditions?

HorseAlert is a volunteer-based community application. By using this app, you waive all rights to damages. Please review our Terms and Conditions here for more information.

What do I need to be a driver?

You need a truck and trailer in good condition and the skills and willingness to help evacuate horses during natural disasters.

How will I be alerted when someone needs help evacuating their horses?

HorseAlert will alert you by text that there are active requests for help in your area.

Who is liable if something happens to my trailer during an evacuation?

HorseAlert is a volunteer-based community application. By using this app, you waive all rights to damages. Please review our Terms and Conditions here for more information.

Will I be required to enter a fire zone?

Please follow instructions given by emergency responders. If they have restricted an area, please do not enter and cancel your trip on HorseAlert.

Does the HorseAlert team assess volunteer drivers before they can help in an evacuation?

No. HorseAlert relies on drivers to ensure their equipment is safe and that they have the appropriate skills to support evacuation efforts.

What if I am not the owner of the horses (for example, barn managers, other, etc.)

If you are a barn manager, boarding facility manager, rescue partner, or another kind of property manager, sign up for HorseAlert as an “Owner.” You will be able to load information for all the horses you manage at your facility, or just your personal horses. Please decide among the owners at your facility whether you would like to be the primary emergency coordinator, or if each individual owner will need to manage evacuating their own horses in case of emergency.

What types of emergencies are appropriate for this app?

HorseAlert was created to provide an organized and safe mode of connecting horse owners with volunteer drivers when faced with natural disasters such as wildfires and floods. If you have been notified by local Emergency Management services that you are in an evacuation zone, please request evacuation through the button at the top of the screen.

How will I know where my horses end up?

When paired with a volunteer driver, HorseAlert will automatically select your county’s public evacuation site. If you would like to change your evacuation location to a private residence outside of the evacuation zone, please enter that address when you are requesting help.

Who is liable if something happens to my horse(s) during an evacuation?

HorseAlert is a free, community-based tool that supports organized, safe evacuations for horses during a natural disaster. You are responsible for the well-being of your horse during the evacuation of your horse. Please review our Terms and Conditions here for more information.

I have other types of animals - will you only take horses?

At this time, HorseAlert is only set up to support equine evacuations. This includes horses, donkeys, and mules. Owners will need to coordinate the evacuation of any other animals independently, outside of HorseAlert.

Will the drivers be law enforcement professionals?

No. While HorseAlert was created with the support of law enforcement and first responder agencies, please note that all drivers signed up with HorseAlert are volunteer citizens within your community.

Do I have to go with my horse? Can I go with my horse? Do I send food?

You are not expected to go with your horse. If you would like to ride with the volunteer driver, please coordinate with them. Once your horse is picked up by a HorseAlert volunteer driver and delivered to the evacuation site, you are 100% responsible for their care during their stay. Public evacuation sites typically will provide hay and water, but any other special feed needs to be provided to the horse by their owner or caregiver.

Does the HorseAlert team assess volunteer drivers before they can help in an evacuation? Are the drivers’ bonded?

No. HorseAlert relies on volunteer drivers to ensure their equipment is safe and that they have the appropriate skills to support evacuation efforts. For more information, please review the Terms and Conditions here.

How do I prepare my horses for evacuation?

To be best prepared in case of an emergency evacuation, load all your horse(s)’ information into HorseAlert under “Register Horses.” Please update this information periodically as any details change.

It is important to practice loading your horse(s) into a trailer periodically to ensure they will safely load and evacuate during an emergency.

We also recommend that you keep all of your ownership paperwork (brand inspection, registration papers, etc.) for your horse(s) together in a safe and accessible location and keep these papers with you throughout an evacuation.

How will my horses get home after the evacuation is over?

It is your responsibility as the horse owner to arrange your horse’s return from the evacuation site. At this time, HorseAlert does not offer services for returning horses after the initial evacuation.

I am a barn manager with a gate code. How should I relay this information to a driver?

Please list special instructions or details about your property, such as gate codes, under “Additional Details” when loading your horse(s) information in your profile.