The Veterans for Mustangs Act modifies federal law governing wild horse and burro management by requiring the Department of the Interior to prioritize humane fertility control methods—specifically non-surgical vaccines—over removal when managing overpopulation on public lands. The bill creates a new opportunity for military veterans by directing the government to recruit and train them in applying these fertility control treatments, with the government providing compensation for their training and certifying them as applicators. Once trained, veterans can be hired by the government to perform these and other range management activities without being classified as federal employees. The legislation applies to wild horses and burros managed under the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act, affecting millions of animals across western public lands. By emphasizing fertility controls as the first management tool and creating employment pathways for veterans in land management work, the bill aims to address both ecological challenges and veteran employment needs.
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