Hoofs, Paws and Claws Crossed at Remus Horse Sanctuary

The animals and staff alike at Remus Horse Sanctuary in Essex are crossing everything that the weather before and during their next Open Day on Sunday 7 August will be fine and dry, unlike the three previous dates.

Unfortunately, the charity has had to cancel its three previous Open Days due to either very wet weather beforehand or devastating flooding, as was the case in July. Losing such prominent dates in the fundraising event calendar has been financially crippling for the Sanctuary who rely on the Summer events to boost their finances ready for the Winter.

Sue confirmed, “To lose half of our major Summer fundraising events is a very hard blow indeed. These events are essential to us in order to replenish our depleted coffers to help fund the Sanctuary through the rest of the Summer and most essentially the Winter season.”

On Sunday 7 August, the gates at the Sanctuary will open to the public for the first time this year from 1pm to 5pm. Visitors will be able to meet all 200 animals – including the new born and rescued foals from 2014 and 2015 – enjoy refreshments, musical entertainment from Midnite Blu and, for the children, there will be lots of activities and games. Admission for adults is £4, children £2 and dogs are more than welcome if kept on a lead.

Due to the Sanctuary’s location, which is on green belt land, it can only open to the public six times a year, and has already lost out on May, June and July. The Open Days, which are the Sanctuary’s primary source of fundraising, along with membership sales and animal sponsorship, help contribute to the annual running costs of £440,000.

Sue Burton, the Sanctuary’s founder says, “Our Open Days are a great way of introducing the public to the escalating plight of horse welfare, currently in crisis in the UK, and for them to learn more about animal husbandry.” Sue went on to say that not everyone mistreats an animal through malice, but that sometimes it is through sheer lack of awareness or education, “the Open Days are a fun way of introducing young and old to animal welfare and we’re all looking forward to opening our doors for the first time in 2016!”.

For further information, browse the website – www.remussanctuary.org – or contact Sue Burton on tel: 01277 356191.