Page 30 - OUR VIBE ISSUE 2

CROSSKENNAN LANE ANIMAL SANCTUARY
All Creatures
Great
to Whitehead, then continuing up the peninsula, finishing at Brown’s Bay beach.
by Clark Warden The scenic wonders of the Islandmagee Peninsula: a day trip from Carrickfergus
& Small
From wild birds and fox cubs to racehorses and puppies, Crosskennan Lane Animal Sanctuary just outside Antrim works tirelessly to provide a home and a future to all the wonderful animals that come through their gates. They have rehomed horses as far afield as Germany and Austria.
Crosskennan Lane Animal Sanctuary used to feature prominently on our television screens, on the radio, and in the papers.
That was in a time when horses were being abandoned every day and Crosskennan was the first call for rescue. They have been working in animal rescue across Northern Ireland for over 30 years, and in 1996 they obtained charity status. Their focus has always been animals of Northern Ireland, with a focus on Equines due to the poor welfare standards.
Since the equine crisis and Crosskennan stepping away from contracts with the police and local councils, Crosskennan has faded dramatically from the public eye. Many will be asking why, and the simple answer is... they have been extremely busy. Since 2015, Crosskennan has rehomed
over 850 animals, with
a further 200 plus
released back into
the wild.
In that same time frame, they have also rescued
over 850 animals and have provided the animals in need with vet care, neutering, rehabilitation, and training where appropriate. Since they stepped away from contracts, they have stepped away from all statutory funding, so all rescues are solely funded by their generous group of supporters. Many of the stories are sad; like the pony with no name, but they have many happy tales too; including all
their brilliant successes in rehoming horses,
dogs, cats, and other animals and seeing them living happy and healthy lives.
Currently, they are home to 44 horses and ponies, 6 dogs, 58 cats, 2 rabbits, and 27 birds. Only a small number of these animals will ever leave the sanctuary and are what the sanctuary term as ‘permanent residents’. The permanent residents are made up of horses, dogs, cats, and birds, who among them have a number of issues that categorise them unsuitable for rehoming, including age, behaviour, and ongoing vet treatment. Crosskennan provides a sanctuary to those animals who would not fit in elsewhere and many of these animals give back by assisting with the sanctuary’s education and therapy programs. Animals have so
much to give to people and dogs like Dora the Jack Russell, Oscar the pony,
and Ernie the rooster are just a few of the animals at the sanctuary who work with the public; visiting nursing homes
in the Antrim area and meeting groups and individuals on-site to
provide education and therapeutic activities.
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OUR VIBE NI - CHRISTMAS 2020