Herefordshire Animal Sanctuary Requires Significant Funds to Avert Euthanasia of Horses

An animal sanctuary in Herefordshire has announced an urgent need to raise nearly half a million pounds, or it will be forced to euthanise all the horses and ponies currently residing there. For 24 years, the charity Equine Market Watch has been providing care for elderly, sick, and disabled animals at a farm located in Bromyard. Elaine Tasker, the founder, informed BBC Hereford & Worcester that while the charity itself is financially stable, it lacks the necessary reserves to cover the required amount and continue its operations. “If we cannot secure the farm for the charity then I’m afraid we will have to have these horses put to sleep. There is no other option,” she stated. Ms. Tasker explained that the sum is connected to mortgage debt associated with the farm where the operation is based. She added that if the money cannot be raised, “we will lose the sanctuary, the farm will go, the owner will be made homeless, the charity will have to be dissolved.” Should the fundraising effort succeed, the charity will become the new owner of the farm. “I want to think that… there might be a Christmas miracle. But I’m not unrealistic,” she commented. The charity has relocated as many of its horses and ponies as possible to other sites. However, nine animals still remain who will face euthanasia if the farm cannot be saved. “The current situation is horrific,” Ms. Tasker said. “None of this is of the charity’s making, the charity is not in debt. However we do not have resources for the amount of money that it would require to secure the farm as a sanctuary.” To gather the necessary funds, the charity has launched a GoFundMe page. For updates, follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X, and Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.