A British couple based near Alicante are now caring for almost 100 rescued equines after Spanish police this month placed three more seized donkeys under their rescue centre’s protection.
Sue and Rod Weeding say they are now searching for a sustainable way to continue their crucial animal welfare work amid escalating running costs, as they prepare to mark eight years since founding the Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre on October 22, 2008.
“We are stretched more and more for funds to do this and I honestly don’t know how we’re going to continue, but what is going to happen to all these creatures if there isn’t anyone who can take them in?” Sue said.
The first donkey was seized by Los Montosinos police and placed in the Weedings’ care on Sunday, October 2 – during their monthly public open day. A young and feisty character, the donkey has since been castrated and treated for a painful hoof abscess.
The other two baby donkeys were found dumped by a busy Almoradí roundabout on October 13.
“Luckily the Almoradí police were brilliant and managed to get them literally into the police station and hold them in a little pen for stray dogs until Rod arrived,” Sue said.
One is so young he is still trying to suckle, while the other has a nasty nose injury caused by some sort of too-tight head collar. Both are extremely thin and riddled with worms.
“Despite all the challenges of running our rescue centre, when I see those two little souls that were dumped on a roundabout and literally abandoned, I know we must find a way to continue,” Sue said.
“We’ve created a situation in our Vega Baja area where the police are responding and seizing these neglected and abused animals, because they know we here at Easy Horse Care will take them.
“But it’s really just Rod and I, and we have only a small group of supporters backing us. We receive absolutely no public funding even though we are taking all of these animals for the police. We are so stretched now. Rod and I are working crazy hours seven days a week and we just can’t carry on like this. There has to be a solution.”
Sue said donations to help cover the costs of these three new donkeys would be gratefully received – even just €5 feeds one donkey for a day. Donations can be made via bank transfer or PayPal online at: http://easyhorsecare.net/donate/one-off-donation
The centre is also holding a fundraising competition to name the three new donkeys. Entries cost €2 per name suggestion and can be made via the centre’s online donation form or in person at the next open day on Sunday, November 6 from 1pm to 4pm.
For more details and directions, visit www.easyhorsecare.net. For regular updates, follow the centre on Facebook at @EasyHorseCare.
