Donkey-petting farm ordered to leave premises
OWNERS’ DESPERATE SEARCH FOR BARN TO HOME ANIMALS
A Donkey-petting farm has issued a plea for help after being told they needed to vacate their East Yorkshire plot – meaning dozens of animals face being turfed out into the cold.
Aroha Donkeys near Beverley is desperately seeking someone who can temporarily lend stables, sheds or a barn after being given two months’ notice by landlords at their yard.
The small organisation lets people ride and pet the animals, as well as lending them for events and Nativity plays.
The business has said it will have to rehome the animals if nothing can be found, a prospect it said would be “heartbreaking”.
Run by Sarah Nethercoat and Alan Riley, they currently own 20 donkeys, four horses, two ponies and two goats and have been at their current plot between Driffield and Beverley for two years.
But the animals are now in desperate need of a short-term home after Sarah and Alan were told to vacate the yard – the timing of which they have described as “cruel” as we head into winter.
Taking to Facebook in a plea for a last-minute shelter, the pair wrote: “We have devastatingly been given short notice on our yard, so the donkeys are soon to be homeless.
“This is very cruel timing going into winter.
“We are looking for any old sheds or barns to rent to get them safe over winter within travelling distance of Beverley, East Yorkshire.
“In an ideal world it would include land as well but will settle for the barns
for now. There are 20 donkeys, four horses, two ponies and two goats.
“I appreciate this is a lot but donkeys are light on the land and we keep them off if we have the barns over winter.”
Many of the donkeys have been taken on after being found in poor health, so are particularly vulnerable.
Speaking to Hull Live, Sarah said they had been given no prior warning they would need to vacate the farm.
“We currently rent barn and ten acres, which we have established our little business on, and this notice came out the blue with no warning on the run-up to winter by the farm owner who says they want the buildings back.”
“Our budget isn’t massive after Covid,” she added.
“We don’t mind forgotten or rough land, or anywhere needing work, and we’re happy to keep out of people’s way if they wish.
“We just want to find them a new home and we understand it’s a big ask with how many there is. I will have to start rehoming if nothing can be found and that’ll just be heartbreaking.”
Anybody who can help Sarah and Alan can contact them by visiting www.facebook.com/arohadonkeys