How the Refuge works

Find out how Darwyn’s Refuge works, from reporting abuse to sentencing and aftercare.

You can also view our PDF infographic, which brings together the essential content of this page in a single image.

See the infographic

Disclosure

A person reports an alleged case of mistreatment of one or more equines at the Darwyn Refuge.

Report abuse

Findings

The Refuge team goes out to see if it is indeed a case of abuse and notes the main signs:

Animal’s physical condition
Keeping in compliance with regulations and animal welfare requirements

Is the abuse proven?

No

The situation is in order!

Yes

The procedure continues

Dialogue with the owner

The Refuge contacts the owner(s) to try and understand what is going on and tries to find a solution, offering advice and sometimes occasional help in bringing the facilities up to standard.

Is the owner open to dialogue?

Yes

What’s his reaction?

The owner(s) agree(s) to invest in improving the situation (care, work, change of habits).

Darwyn’s Refuge is monitoring the situation.

The owner(s) cannot do what is necessary to improve the situation (age, illness, ﬁnancial problems, etc.).

Darwyn’s Refuge then tries to help them place the animal by advertising and advising them on a placement contract.

In certain cases where the owners are in a very precarious situation or where the animals are in a catastrophic state of health, we can also offer them the chance to hand over the animals directly to us.

The procedure is complete

In both cases, the procedure ends here, but the follow-up continues.

No

Reporting to the authorities

Le Refuge de Darwyn compiles a file with all the information and photographs, and forwards it to the appropriate authorities depending on the geographical area (Switzerland: the canton / France: the department).

Receivership decision

State services have the capacity to take a decision to seize animals, known as “sequestration”, but do not have a structure to house equidae.

Organization of the receivership

The veterinary services call on Darwyn’s Refuge, which assembles a competent team and organizes the logistics of seizing the animals, all within a few hours.

Depending on the number and condition of the animals, transport and suitable equipment are required to load animals that are sometimes completely wild and/or fearful.

Depending on the animals’ physical and mental state, and the number and space available at the Refuge, they are repatriated to the Darwyn Refuge site or to partner kennels.

Veterinary report and first aid

On arrival, equines are inspected by a veterinarian and receive the necessary first aid (dentist, farrier, deworming).

Time is often needed to get the animal back into shape with the right diet and keeping.

A possible breaking-in and/or workout can be set up to increase the chances of the animal being adopted.

Judgment & sentencing

Is the owner liable?

No

The animals are returned to the owner and the procedure ends there.

Yes

The judge may impose a fine, a ban on keeping animals or a prison sentence on the owner.

Foster care

Once the equine has regained satisfactory mental and physical health, it is placed in a foster family that meets the ethical standards of Darwyn’s Refuge. If it cannot be placed in a foster family, it remains at the Refuge de Darwyn or one of its branches.

Annual visit

Every year, Darwyn’s Refuge visits the horse and the foster family to check that everything is going well.

The association remains the official owner of the horse until the end of its life.