Mustangs, the iconic wild horses of the American West, are often rounded up or taken from the wild for a variety of reasons, and many of them end up at horse auctions.  Once horses end up at auction, the sad reality is that many of them are sold into the slaughter pipeline.  According to the American Humane Society, 23,000 abandoned, neglected, and unwanted horses were sold for slaughter in 2021.  

Project Cirrus was formed in May of 2022 by Grand Valley Horse Rescue and the Eagles and Wild Horses Ranch with one goal in mind: to prevent these magnificent creatures from entering the slaughter pipeline. Our journey began with an eye on the horizon, where the home of the Little Book Cliffs Mustangs can be seen from our Rescue. We welcomed three of these Mustangs into our care that May: Notch, Cameo, and Renata; but it was the plight of another Mustang named Cirrus that truly ignited our mission. Sold at a local auction, Cirrus landed in a kill pen in Eaton, Colorado. A California-based organization thankfully rescued her from that situation, but she became ill and was fighting for her life, When they contacted us about taking her in, we didn’t hesitate to help.  We couldn’t bear the thought of another Colorado Mustang enduring such hardship.

Our mission is to protect the Mustangs in Western Colorado, ensuring they never have to face the trials that Cirrus did. We are dedicated to providing a safe haven for these beautiful animals, and we strive to prevent their suffering. We believe that every Mustang deserves a safe and secure home, where they are honored and appreciated. Since its inception, Project Cirrus has made a significant difference, securing a brighter future for 33 Mustangs in Western Colorado!