2010 @Crosskennan

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Crosskennan Lane Animal Sanctuary

Northern Ireland Charity Commission 104028

Registered Charity No. XR16305

Volunteers spent Easter Monday trying to get the ‘Travelers’ and horse-dealers at Toome Fair to treat their animals with a bit of respect. We where spat at, sworn at, called every name imaginable, had grown men surrounding our volunteers and shouting abuse in their faces, including death threats! Civilised society? We saw no evidence of it today. However, we did manage to save this terrified little jack russell from a fate worse than death :-) plus a chestnut pony and this little 6 wk old choc lab pup! But we will never forget the faces of the ones we left behind....:'-(

Some very sad news for friends of Crosskennan both new and old. Our beautiful black cat Harley, was sadly put to sleep on the afternoon on Sunday 25th April due to ongoing health and kidney problems. Harley was one of the 1st cats to be admiited to Crosskennan over 15yrs ago - he was dumped off in our hedge as an 8 week old kitten. He was almost completely bald and had obviously not had the best start in life. However, he soon recovered and proved to be quite a character and comedian! His party trick was sneaking into cars to go for a drive with unassuming volunteers - and many a time was delivered back looking pleased as punch with himself! He was firmly established as 'Top Cat' at the sanctuary - no other cat dared to challenge his mischievious authority. Harley has left a big hole in the hearts of our volunteers, and especially Lyn who he loved and adored. RIP Harley, a very special cat indeed.

is sorry to inform you about the loss of one of our oldest ponies - 'Bay' - a beautiful old girl who did so well with us during her 2 years at the sanctuary. When she was 1st admitted she was very stiff, sore and weak - she been used in a riding school most of her life right up until the day before she arrived with us. She brought everyone at CLAS at lot of joy and had a wonderful sense of humour. Everyday she had her magnetic leg wraps put on before going out for an amble about the sanctuary and gossiping over the stable doors with the other ponies! This very special old lady will be greatly missed - but we are so grateful she spent her final years with us being spoilt rotten! R.I.P. Bay

CLAS is deeply saddened to inform you of the death of one of our resident dogs - Banjo. Banjo, a beautiful white collie, first arrived at Crosskennan 14 years ago - he was left tied to our gates, collapsed and emaciated, his skin bald and red raw from external parasites. He was terrified of ppl and flinched whenever anyone got close to him. It took months for him to learn to trust us and his new environment - initially he would only walk whilst leaning against walls due to his fear of everything. However, he teamed up with Ginger the Jack Russell who taught him how to play and trust ppl. He was heartbroken when old Ginger died, but sooned paired up with Sophie, a collie cross - together they were a happy couple who looked after each other. Banjo loved his life with us and his loss has marked the end of an era for everyone who loved him, especially Sophie. RIP Banjo

Lyn Friel, our founder and backbone of the sanctuary, has been nominated for the Belfast Telegraph's Woman of the Year Award 2010 and we're delighted to announce that she has got down to the final four out of the dozens of people nominated!!! :D The winner will be announced on Wednesday night at their Gala Final - fingers crossed Lyn will win and receive the recognition she deserves for all her hard work and dedication to helping N. Irelands abandoned and abused horses for over 30 years - GOOD LUCK LYN!!! :-)

has admitted yet another appalling welfare case! This beautiful TB was abandoned in a field to starve with his 2 TB companions - unfortunately he had to witness them slowly dying - yet kept vigil beside their emaciated corpses, knowing he would soon suffer the same fate :'( for his companions the call for help came too late, but we are hopeful we reached this brave boy in time to save him - we've named him 'Solomon'. His suspected owner denies the horses belong to him - SCUM! Solomon is just one of the 1000's of horses suffering in Ireland's current Equine Welfare Crisis - a catastrophic result of overbreeding - not just of TBs, but of ALL breeds! Those people who continue to breed more foals during this unprecedented situation are simply adding fuel to the fire - regardless of breed - there is no justification to continue producing horses when so many are suffering this horrendous fate! Use your stables and resources to help these abandoned, helpless horses - even if they're not a fancy valuable breed, it doesn't mean their lives are worthless and it doesn't mean they suffer less!!! Help us help them - if you truly care about the bigger picture of equine welfare in Ireland - then STOP THE BREEDING NOW!!!

2010 @Crosskennan

Photos from 2010. Everything from daily pics, rescues, rehoming, etc.

Various Horse/Pony Images

2019 @Crosskennan

Cave Hill Rescue

2011 @Crosskennan