Accreditations & Recognition

A Commitment You Can Trust.

Responsible care. Transparent leadership. Recognized standards.

Our responsibility extends beyond the horses in our care. We believe our donors, volunteers, supporters, and community deserve to know that BCHRS operates with integrity, accountability, and a continued commitment to the highest standards of equine welfare.

Our accreditations and recognition reflect that commitment—and the work we undertake year after year to maintain it.

EQUUS Foundation Guardian

Nine Consecutive Years of Recognition | 2018–2026

Bergen County Horse Rescue & Sanctuary has proudly maintained EQUUS Foundation Guardian status every year since 2018.

Guardian designation is especially meaningful because it is not a one-time recognition. BCHR must apply and undergo review each year, demonstrating our continued commitment to responsible operations and quality equine care.

The review considers important areas of the organization, including:

  • Equine care and welfare practices

  • Governance and organizational oversight

  • Financial accountability

  • Programs and operations

  • Transparency and responsible stewardship

Maintaining Guardian status for nine consecutive years demonstrates that our commitment to the horses extends beyond words. We are willing to have our practices independently reviewed, year after year, and to remain accountable to the people who make our work possible.

EQUUS Foundation Guardian
2018 • 2019 • 2020 • 2021 • 2022 • 2023 • 2024 • 2025 • 2026

Candid Seal of Transparency

A Record of Openness & Accountability

BCHR's Candid recognition demonstrates our commitment to being open and accountable with our donors, supporters, and the public.

For several consecutive years, BCHR earned the Gold Seal of Transparency, followed by the Platinum Seal of Transparency—Candid's highest level of recognition—in 2025 and 2026.

Our Candid Recognition

2020 - Gold Seal of Transparency

2021 - Gold Seal of Transparency

2022 - Gold Seal of Transparency

2023 - Gold Seal of Transparency

2024 - Gold Seal of Transparency

2025 - Platinum Seal of Transparency

2026 - Platinum Seal of Transparency

Why Our Candid Recognition Matters

Candid recognition reflects the level of detailed, current information BCHR makes available about our organization, including our leadership, finances, programs, goals, strategies, and impact. For our supporters, this means greater visibility into who we are, how we operate, and how contributions help advance our mission.

Best of Bergen

Recognized by Our Community

Bergen County Horse Rescue & Sanctuary has also been recognized by (201) Magazine's Best of Bergen as a Best Equestrian Center multiple times.

While national standards help measure how we operate, recognition within Bergen County holds a special significance. It reflects the connection BCHR has built within the community we call home and the countless volunteers, donors, visitors, partners, and advocates who have helped make that work possible.

Recognition With a Purpose

Awards and designations are meaningful, but they are not the reason we do this work.The horses are. Each accreditation represents another way we hold ourselves accountable to the animals who depend on us and the people who make their care possible. From responsible stewardship and organizational transparency to compassionate, lifelong equine care, we remain committed to earning that trust—year after year.