When Volunteers Are Few - AI Keeps Us Going

There is a great deal of opposition to the use of AI, often from people who do not fully understand how powerful and necessary this tool has become—especially for small nonprofits like Stolen Horse International, a nonprofit like no other in the world.

We operate in an extremely niche space. Finding artwork, images, and video that accurately represent stolen horses, missing horses, recovery efforts, and equine crime prevention is not only difficult—it is usually expensive and time-consuming. For many years, our organization struggled to locate visuals that truly depicted our mission at the exact moment they were needed.

We have repeatedly asked for volunteers to assist with daily tasks such as writing articles, creating graphics, and producing artwork. While we are grateful for every person who has ever helped, the reality is that many of these requests go unanswered. Often, when a news story breaks and we ask for images or illustrations to accompany it, no one is available.

AI has changed that.

It allows us to create mission-appropriate images and visuals within minutes, at little to no cost, helping us tell urgent stories, share alerts, and educate the public in real time. In many ways, AI now serves as a very useful “volunteer” that supports our human volunteers—stepping in when people are not available so our work does not come to a standstill.

Because of AI, we have been able to discontinue several costly programs and subscriptions we relied on in the past, freeing limited funds for other critical areas of our work.

For a small nonprofit powered largely by volunteers, AI is not a luxury—it is a lifeline. It helps us work smarter, stretch donor dollars further, and continue protecting horses and the people who love them.

It is easy to criticize new technology. It is much harder to step up and help do the work. Until more people are willing to actively volunteer their time and skills, tools like AI make it possible for Stolen Horse International to continue serving the equine community every single day.

Ways You Can Volunteer Include:
• Writing or editing articles
• Creating graphics or artwork
• Helping share alerts and stories on social media
• Researching news stories and case updates
• Administrative or data-entry assistance
• Website or technical support

Want to help us make a difference?
We would love to have you join our volunteer community.

You can get started by visiting our website, registering for a free account, and clicking on the VOLUNTEER button inside your profile to fill out the volunteer information form. If you have questions or want to reach out directly, you can also click on the SUPPORT tab on our website and send us an email.

Together, we can protect horses, support owners, and save lives.