Donkey Sanctuary Leeds: Devastated animal lovers react with sadness after closure of donkey farm in Eccup
The closure of a donkey sanctuary in Leeds has left fans devastated.
It was a hugely popular attraction in Eccup that provided an outlet for countless vulnerable adults and children with additional needs and learning difficulties.
Home to 23 donkeys, the Swan Lane farm was previously run by national charity The Donkey Sanctuary.
But it proposed the closure of a number of its bases back in May, including the Leeds sanctuary.
This week, it was confirmed that plans to close four centres had gone ahead - and all “operational activities” in Leeds have now ceased.
The donkeys have had to be relocated, while 12 jobs have been affected.
Reacting to the news, YEP reader Anna King said: “So sad. I loved it there when I went last year.”
Christine Carey agreed: “I loved going to see the donkeys. Happy days.”
The closure of the Leeds sanctuary has meant that the charity no longer has a presence in the North of England, a point singled out for criticism by Lisa Tedstill. She said: “It does not make sense.
“Surely, they should have kept at least one up this way.”
One donor told the YEP about his disappointment at being told he could sponsor another donkey, but this would be at the charity’s HQ in Devon more than 300 miles away.
The move to close the sanctuary in Leeds comes after a petition was launched against the closure, gathering more than 4,000 signatures.
A spokesperson from The Donkey Sanctuary said: “We have now completed the consultation process in which we gave careful consideration to the changes proposed in May.
“We can confirm that operational activities at the four centres including Leeds have ceased, and Belfast will soon reopen as a small sanctuary and rehoming centre.”
The spokesperson added: “These changes have taken place in order to make best use of our donors’ money and focus on our core mission to improve the lives of donkeys here in the UK and around the world.
“Throughout this process, donkey welfare has been our utmost priority. Donkeys from Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester have now moved to their new homes.
“Some have relocated to our Sidmouth HQ, while others have gone to our farms in Devon and Derbyshire, and several have found homes through our guardian re-homing scheme.”
The Donkey Sanctuary was founded in 1969 by Dr Elisabeth Svendsen in Devon to help abused or homeless animals. Since then, it has cared for somewhere in the region of 20,000 donkeys at farms across the country.