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Winter
Appeal Shortfall
"The sanctuary could be
heading
for a bleak winter this year" says Carole Webb, the
sanctuary founder.
"Whilst we have some
wonderful supporters who help us immensely, overall
costs and price increases are really taking their toll
this year", said Carole. "Take for instance a bale
of hay, the price of a large bale now stands at £40.00,
which not that long ago was around £25.00 and we currently
use around nine or ten bales a week!"
As a born and bred 'townie'
myself and somewhat less
familiar with country ways than websites,
I was compelled to ask the logical question, "why do you use hay,
surely animals just eat grass don't they?"
With a stare from Carole, I
stepped back; it seemed her wrath was
about to descend upon me... but no, Carole's sweet
nature and patience shone through as she explained to me
what (with hindsight) should have been completely
obvious, or in this case necessary, especially as she has
entrusted her website updates into my capable(?) hands.
Winter Feed
"Hay is fed when or where there is not enough pasture on which to
graze an animal", explained Carole. "Especially when grazing is unavailable due to
weather conditions (such as during the winter) or when lush pasture
by itself is too rich for the health of the animal. It
is also fed during times when an animal is unable to
access pasture, such as when animals are kept in a stable or barn".
"This year in particular we did not have essential
rainfall when it was needed, which has meant
insufficient grass growth and our fields have become patchy and
baron", declared Carole. "Because of this, we have had to
purchase hay bales throughout most of this year to
compensate for the lack of pasture, which in turn has
depleted our funds and our winter stocks too".
"With an anticipated severe winter ahead,
we launched a winter appeal" added Carole "and
although we have had a good response from our
regular and new supporters, unfortunately we do still
have a considerable shortfall".
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Fundraiser retired
To make matters worse, the sanctuary's fundraiser
retired earlier this year without warning and
also closed the sanctuary's two bank accounts. This
meant standing order
accounts from supporters, dating back fifteen years, came to an immediate halt and despairingly,
no details of these supporters were passed back to the
sanctuary.
Despite these setbacks, Carole remains determined to
continue the care that she selflessly lavishes on
the 460 plus rescued animals that make up her 'family'.
"There is a real need for animal sanctuaries in this
world" said Carole. "Every day I receive several
phone calls and e-mails from the public and
other sources seeking accommodation for poorly
or unwanted animals. Unfortunately, in this current
financial climate I simply have to refuse them and
this greatly upsets me. My role in this world is to
care for animals".
As a tarmac treading 'townie', I have just
learnt my first lesson, farm animals need hay and
all manner of feedstuffs throughout the winter AND
during the year too. I thought you just
plonked 'em in a field and they were happy. Makes me
wish I had gone to school now! Oh no... what
is that I have just stepped in with my gleaming
white (now brown) trainers? Time to head home I
think..
Please, please help Carole feed the
animals if you can.
You can find the Winter Appeal - HERE |
