On Giving Tuesday, December 2, 2025, Stolen Horse International (NetPosse.com) is asking for donations to continue its work assisting victims of missing and stolen horses. The organization is entirely volunteer-run and relies on donations to fund its operations and programs. They recently celebrated 28 years of helping horses and horse owners.
According to its official website, funding is an ongoing challenge for the organization. The organization aims to increase public awareness of horse theft and provide support and resources for victims and their families.
Stolen Horse International (NetPosse.com) is in desperate need of funding to continue its critical operations not just for another year, but potentially even for a few months into the new year. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the organization is sustained entirely by public donations and the fees generated from website reports.
Stolen Horse International operates within a unique, niche mission area of the horse industry that is often unknown and misunderstood. Unlike larger nonprofits that frequently receive substantial grants or major donor support, Stolen Horse International is tackling a problem that includes not just missing and stolen horses, but also complex cases involving fraudulent financial transactions and false representation used to unlawfully obtain multiple horses, which results in significant monetary loss for victims.
This quote is from an official Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) press release dated November 25, 2024."Horse theft continues to be a serious issue impacting agricultural producers, ranchers, and equine enthusiasts, with multiple cases reported in recent months across Southeast including Florida, Mississippi, and Texas. It is estimated 40,000 horses are reported stolen annually in the United States.
The organization relies solely on the generosity of the public and its dedicated supporters who have kept this unique mission alive for 28 years. Without continued public support, the organization simply cannot exist. Donations directly fund the critical work of sending out alerts, maintaining their extensive database, and supporting victims.
By donating, you help fund the future of this vital service and ensure the legacy of Idaho—the horse whose theft started it all—continues to bring thousands of horses back to their rightful homes.
Donations can be made directly on the NetPosse website.
How to donate: Donate via the "Donate" button on the NetPosse website, PayPal, Venmo, or by mail.
Stolen Horse International (NetPosse.com) has a long history of successful recoveries, many of which are detailed on their website. The organization's work often highlights the power of community alerts and the importance of never giving up hope.
In a recent interview, Stolen Horse International founder Debi Metcalfe was asked which success story was her favorite. She replied, "Idaho, my own horse that was stolen in 1997 and recovered 51 weeks later.
One might wonder why she picked her own story. The reason is simple: If it were not for the theft of Idaho, the journey that followed, and the people who helped Metcalfe find her horse, the idea for starting a nonprofit organization to help other victims of horse theft would never have been conceived.
Because of Idaho and the journey that took Metcalfe and her family beyond broken fences, Stolen Horse International was born, and thousands of other horses and owners have since been helped through the organization's efforts.
Here are some of their notable recovery stories:
Idaho (The Founding Story): The organization's very first success story is that of a stolen horse named Idaho, belonging to the founder, Debi Metcalfe. Idaho was stolen in September 1997. Metcalfe's tireless search efforts, which involved leveraging early internet communication to send out digital "flyers," led to Idaho's recovery after 51 weeks. This foundational experience inspired the creation of Stolen Horse International and its alert system.
Opie (Recovered After 10 Years): A horse named Sultan's Modern Opus, nicknamed "Opie," was stolen from a pasture in Texas in 2003. After almost a decade with no leads, a tipster interested in buying a horse on Craigslist first checked the NetPosse.com database, where they found Opie listed as stolen. They contacted the organization, which led to a heartwarming reunion for the owner, Michelle Pool, and her family, nearly ten years after Opie went missing.
Reno (Recovered After 4+ Years): After almost five years of being missing, the horse Reno was spotted in a video from a Texas auction by a NetPosse Auction Watch volunteer group. This volunteer identified the horse using the information in the NetPosse database. Stolen Horse International's report manager coordinated with law enforcement, a hold was placed on the horse, and the owners traveled ten hours to be reunited with him.
Dusty (South Carolina): A pony in South Carolina went missing, but a Stolen Horse International flyer posted in the community prompted its recovery in just a few hours. The speed and reach of the alert were critical in this rapid return.
Bullet: A gelding with a distinct limp from a prior injury and a brand on his shoulder disappeared from his pasture in North Carolina. After an extensive media campaign, including flyers and social media posts, he was found a few weeks later. The alerts generated awareness that was crucial to locating him.
Dixie: A "Heart Horse" (Recovered After 8 Years of Separation) In a testimonial, a victim shared that Stolen Horse International helped them find their "heart horse" within just two weeks after eight years of separation. This highlights the long-term potential of the database and the organization's ongoing support in cases where hope might otherwise be lost.
Rowdy (Alabama, October 2025) Rowdy, a horse camping at Oak Mountain State Park, spooked and ran off, still dragging his lunge line and saddle. A NetPosse Alert was immediately issued and widely shared. A tip came in from someone who saw the alert, and Rowdy was found safe just a few days later.
Numerous individuals are still actively searching for their missing or stolen horses and consistently praise Stolen Horse International (NetPosse.com) for the support, resources, and hope the organization provides during their ongoing ordeal.
Here are examples of testimonials from victims who have yet to find their horses but remain grateful for NetPosse's assistance:
Guidance in the Midst of Panic: Many victims experience panic and confusion when they realize their horse is gone. Stolen Horse International provides a clear plan of action. As noted in a general testimonial, the organization offers guidance on "how to organize your search, who to call, what to say, help with putting a flier together for you, and everything else along the way. We're here for you". This structure helps searching owners focus their efforts effectively.
A "Sounding Board" and Source of Sanity: One user writing a testimonial on the NetPosse site, even after the recovery of their pony, noted that Stolen Horse International continues to be a "sounding board, reassuring voice, source of sanity, wealth of information, and a truly wonderful help" throughout the legal process. For many victims whose cases might otherwise be brushed off by local authorities, this ongoing support is invaluable.
Decades of Experience and Resources: An individual posting a missing horse alert on Facebook highly recommended NetPosse, even while their friend's horses were still missing. They praised the organization, saying, "They are not just a FB page that shares posts. They are the only nonprofit organization of its kind that has a vast alert database, decades of experience and resources, and are more than capable of assisting in situations like this". This highlights the trust victims place in the organization's expertise during their difficult search.
The "Cold Case Review" Process: Stolen Horse International actively runs "cold case reviews" for horses missing for years, demonstrating to victims that the search never truly ends. For cases like "Sasy," a missing horse near Houston, Texas, NetPosse encourages the community to keep sharing information, reinforcing the belief that recoveries are possible even a decade later.
These stories emphasize that the NetPosse Alert system—the "Amber Alert" for the horse industry—is often the primary driver, mobilizing thousands of "eyes" across the country to look for specific horses, which directly leads to tips and recoveries.