Question 1

How are you funded?

Accepted Answer

Crosskennan is entirely funded by public donations. Our annual funding requirement is now approximately £200,000. We have no income from national or local authority and no national or parent charity to draw funds from. We rely solely on the goodwill of people such as yourselves to help us to take care of all our animals as well as grant giving bodies.

Question 2

How can I donate things to the sanctuary?

Accepted Answer

You can donate a wide variety of things to the sanctuary. If you have any items please contact the sanctuary via email - office@crosskennanlane.org.uk. Please note that we are generally unable to collect donations.
You can also donate via our Amazon Wishlist

Question 3

What things can I donate to the sanctuary?

Accepted Answer

You can donate a wide variety of things to the sanctuary, including;
Animal Food: We can take advantage of most donated animal food.  If for some reason we cannot use it ourselv

es, we will ensure that other animals in need benefit from your generousity. Fresh fruit and vegetables are always welcome for our birds and equines.
Bedding:  We have a never-ending need for bedding!  This can be blankets, towels, sheets and other similar materials that we can use to make beds.
Items For Selling:  The items we can sell include unwanted gifts, good quality bric-a-brac, household items, etc.  
If you have any items please contact the sanctuary via email - office@crosskennanlane.org.uk. Please note that we are generally unable to collect donations.

Question 4

I emailed you two days ago and you still haven't responded, why?"

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately our office is only manned part time and not at weekends. We also are receiving a large number of emails everyday. We appreciate your patience when contacting us, we will do all we can to get back to you ASAP.
If you have an urgent issue please call the sanctuary directly - 028 9446 5384. Again our phones are not manned 24/7 but we do recieve your messages and try and reply within a day or less.

Question 5

I phoned today but no one answered; is there no one there?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately our office is only manned part time and not at weekends. We also are receiving a large number of calls everyday as well as the normal work of the sanctuary and the unplanned rescues. We appreciate your patience when contacting us, we will do all we can to get back to you ASAP.
If you have an urgent issue please call the sanctuary directly and leave a message - 028 9446 5384. Again our phones are not manned 24/7 but we do recieve your messages and try and reply within a day or less. Please make sure to leave a contact name and number in a clear voice so we can call you back.

Question 6

Can I Volunteer with the animals?

Accepted Answer

You most certainly can! We take volunteers from 16 years and up. You can fill in a form on our website here - https://www.crosskennanlane.co.uk/volunteer

Question 7

COVID-19

Accepted Answer

When the news broke of the COVID-19 restrictions Lyn Friel, the manager, was oblivious. Spending the majority of time caring for the animals and responding to people’s calls keeps her so busy that the outside world has a hard job breaking in. The outside world wasn’t going to be held at bay forever though and on Tuesday the twenty-fourth of March Crosskennan Lane Animal Sanctuary issued a statement to the public that it was officially in lockdown.
 
“We can’t take the risk that any of our dedicated staff and volunteers may fall ill and therefore be unable to care for the animals at the sanctuary; of which currently there are over one hundred and twenty.”
 
At the time of closing, we were in the middle of volunteer training, fundraising and the building of a new sanctuary stable and shelter to house some of the sanctuary’s shetland population. All had to be put on hold; among some of our normal daily activities like rehoming and providing animal visits to the local community.
 
Immediately we saw losses of income and other donations of food and bedding, that would normally be coming in as results of bag packs, coffee mornings and other activities. We had to cancel upcoming events and sadly ask some volunteers not to attend.

The office is being manned from those who are staying at home where possible, while the yard staff and long term volunteers continue to provide care while following guidelines of social distancing and handwashing. Life must go on at the sanctuary, we do not have the option of closing the gates up and working from home. Without the staff and volunteers, the animals will suffer. Without people’s support, we cannot continue; and that is a terrifying thought that is plaguing us more and more as the days continue.
 
The team has been working hard with various supporters doing whatever they can to help provide funds; from a print at a home colouring book to the launch of our Online Pet Show. Our social media volunteer has been helpfully translating all the animal’s daily fun ‘diary’ entries on our social media pages to keep the community engaged and informed, not just about the sanctuary but the current news too. 
 
On top of the fundraising activities, we are still working behind the gates on saving lives, with daily calls and emails regarding welfare, abandoned animals and animals needing to be rehomed at this time. We are doing our best to resolve as many cases as we can through intervention and advice where suited.
 
These are strange times for all, but one thing is sure, we will do our utmost best to support every single animal we possibly can. 
 
We need help more than ever, in a time where sadly the world is difficult for everyone. There so many ways you can help us and you can learn more by visiting our Website - www.crosskennnalane.co.uk or emailing crosskennan@hotmail.co.uk

You can keep up to date with all our news on Instagram and Facebook too.

CROSSKENNAN LANE ANIMAL SANCTUARY

Frequently asked questions