Sue said ‘Having to lose two full time workers is now putting 70 year Rod and myself at 64 and the few volunteers who help, under incredible stress to keep on top of all the usual daily chores as well as attempting to keep on top of the maintenance issues for taking care of 120 equines never mind all the other necessities of running a Foundation.’
The financial crisis has been exacerbated this year following the devastating after effects of last September’s ‘DANA’. This storm destroyed all the forage in the area so now it has to come from further afield.
Sue said ‘We have been able to source the forage from places such as Albacete but with double the price tag. A large bale of alfalfa previously cost €50 and we are now paying a staggering €100 each and we get through two of those every day. The current bill for forage is €20,000.’
Most people don’t realise that there are so many rescued animals at the Centre due to obviously needing to help the individual equine in need but to also making a stand with the Police against animal cruelty. Time and time again the Police say if EHCRC could not take these abused and abandoned equines then they could not pursue prosecutions with the ultimate aim of reducing animal neglect and improving animal welfare. EHCRC cannot easily reduce the number of equines they have as due to working with the Police, the majority of the animals must remain at the Centre as they are part of the judicial process and are not the Centre’s to give up for adoption. Those few that don’t fall under these conditions and could be adopted, aren’t because they are not suitable for riding and come with long term and often costly health care needs which most people do not want.
Adding insult to injury EHCRC have now been informed that strict measures need to be put in place in all their Charity Shops where they will need to function like any other shop/business and that goes for all Charity Shops in the region not just EHC. The Government in its wisdom has decided that Charity Shops should be treated like any other business and will therefore now be paying 21% on all their takings. This is a huge blow for all genuine Charities. EHCRC are hurling from this incredible decision on the part of the Government as the Charity Shops are a life saving way to raise much needed funds for the animals from the very kind donations and purchases of supporters.
So basically all of this is adding even more pressure to Sue and Rod. This hasn’t come about through bad management, it is through a series of extreme circumstances beyond the Centre’s control but ultimately the ones who will suffer if we cannot get out of this dire situation are the animals. EHCRC are not only rescuing animals from desperate situations but are continually striving to influence the local and national authorities and law makers of the country to try to make changes to animal welfare in Spain. The 120 so very deserving horses, ponies and donkeys and the other rescued animals too need your help and support so please give as generously as you can.
– Written by Diane O’Neill, photographs by Elaine Warnock and Cha Jean.