A couple who run an independent animal sanctuary in the Gower are pleading for financial support to continue helping more injured and ill animals. The owners of Woodfield Animal Sanctuary say they are struggling to financially run Woodfield Animal Sanctuary due to the cost of living crisis.
Robbie Bartington and her husband David moved to Welshmoor near Llanrhidian, in 2013, after a life long dream to retire in the area. Once they arrived, the couple noticed a lot of emaciated and injured ponies that were grazing locally. Robbie and David realised that there was an urgent need for a local sanctuary, so they began to take the animals in and care for them.
Woodfield Animal Sanctuary opened almost 10 years ago and has been a lifeline for hunderds of injured or mistreated animals in the area. Robbie said the sanctuary currently has over 75 rescued horses and ponies, 150 sheep, five cows, a donkey and numerous dogs and cats.
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The sanctuary is funded by the couple and public donations. However, with the cost of everything going up the pair say they are struggling to keep the shelter going. Robbie said: "We are not coping financially with the cost of living crisis and so many people have actually stopped their direct debits.
"We have never been able to rely just on donations, but have always been able to pay for over half of the running costs ourselves. Sadly we are both not in a good position now, as we keep paying for so many of these hefty bills ourselves."
She said that the they, like many, are struggling to pay the increased prices for animal feed and bills. She explained that the price for feed and haylage has "gone through the roof," claiming that a bale of hay was £25 this time last year and has now more than doubled in price.
Robbie added that it costs thousands of pounds each week just to feed the animals. During winter, Woodfield Animal Sanctuary spends £800 a week on hard feed, £1,400 per week on haylage as well as staff wages, a tractor driver to move water and hay across the sanctuary, a farrier and vet fees.
"The rescued ponies usually find their way into the sanctuary and often with various health problems that their owner can no longer afford. Some are emaciated, injured, neglected and badly treated. Last autumn, we took in many elderly horses, plus a record number of unwanted colts, mares and foals. To this day, we still have ponies coming in through our gates. Sadly we have over 100 ponies on our waiting list," said Robbie.
Woodfield Animal Sanctuary receives multiple calls a day from owners who can no longer afford to keep their animals due to the cost of living crisis. But, without further funds, the sanctuary is not able to provide more safe spaces for animals who desperately need help.
Robbie added: "Any additional funds will help us to pay off something towards our enormous vet bills and allow us to buy in haylage at a better price - if we can pay for it in bulk up front - and help with all our everyday costs.
"In the nine and a half years since we started our animal sanctuary, we have never been in this financial position before." Since opening, the Woodfield Animal Sanctuary has rescued over 400 ponies and 200 dogs. Over Christmas, the couple also rehomed 25 dogs from their free matching-up service.
To donate to Woodfield Animal Sanctuary, visit www.JustGiving.com/campaign/wintercosts22. For more information on the sanctuary, visit woodfieldanimalsanctuary.org.
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