Rainbow Valley
Pony and Goat Sanctuary
NEW
05/02/2010: Devon Wildlife Hospital
If anyone comes across a wild animal or bird that is injured or in distress, please contact the Devon Wildlife Hospital in Newton Abbot who will be able to provide the care and attention that the animal needs. Their emergency number is 07731 552909 and there is a dedicated Hedgehog Helpline on 07730 844954.
13/01/2010: Goats for re-homing
Three nanny goats are in need of a new home - please see the goat re-homing page for more details.
12/01/2010: RIP Kildaire (Spike)
It is with great sorrow that we report the loss our beloved Kildaire, also known to us as 'Spike'. Kildaire was originally with the Blues and Royals, but came to us in 2006 having been with his previous owner for about two years. If anyone out there recognises his name and can fill in any of his history, particularly after he was sold out of the Blues and Royals, we would love to hear from you. Kildaire died peacefully in his sleep on 7th January 2010. He was dearly loved, and will be sadly missed.
Rest peacefully, Spike - a true gentleman.
29/12/09: More thanks.....and a Happy New Year!
Heartfelt thanks to the Avon and Border Counties Association of the WPCS for their cheque for £130, and for nominating Rainbow Valley Sanctuary to receive the proceeds from their charity auction. We would also like to thank all of our sponsors for their continued support, especially over the past year. We really couldn't manage without you!
A Happy New Year to you all!!
08/12/09: Thank you to Mandy and Sandra!
On the 28th of November, Mandy & Sandra of Brixham, South Devon, organised a very successful coffee morning in aid of Rainbow Sanctuary, raising the wonderful sum of £373.05!
I would like to thank Mandy & Sandra for organising everything,..... thank you ladies, I know how much hard work went into the event and I am truly grateful. Ali, Michaela, Niki, Di & Colin,...... thanks go to you all for twisting arms and selling the raffle tickets....not an easy job but a magnificent one. Well done folks! Finally, thanks to all who turned out to support us and make it such a successful morning. Thank you all so very much!
Linny, Alan & all the Rainbow animals.
02/10/09: Goats for re-homing and appeal for sponsors
Have you got room in you heart and home for two young goats who need to find a new home by the end of November? See the goat re-homing page for more details.
We are also looking for more sponsors for our long-term residents (and, as ever, good homes for our Rainbow ponies). Please contact Linny if you can help!
12/09/2009: Dave Hornet
It is with great sadness that we announce the death today of Dave Hornet. Dave, along with his wife Joyce, and their daughter Sarah, have done a lot of fundraising for the sanctuary in recent years. Even though Dave suffered a great deal of ill health, he was always at the car boot sales and rides doing his bit for the animals at Rainbow. Dave was a lovely, gentle man, and he will be sadly missed by us all.
God bless you Dave. Our love and deepest sympathy is extended to Joyce and Sarah at this very sad time.
Linny, Alan, & family
Annie & Jack
Ali & Martin
08/09/2009: Update on Valley of the Rocks goats
Some good news, for a change.....homes have been found for many of the goats earmarked for culling in the Valley of the Rocks, North Devon (although, sadly, some may still end up being destroyed). This is a positive outcome for those goats that may otherwise have been put down, but there is still some concern about the availablity of suitable shelter in the valley, particularly over the winter period. We'll keep you updated of any developments, but in the meantime information about the goats and their welfare, together with an appeal for rehoming, can be found at the website of the Friends of the Lynton Goats.
22/08/2009: Appeal for hay!
Another damp summer means that hay is again in short supply. If anyone local to sanctuary has any small bale hay for sale, please contact Linny by email or on 01626 203938. Thank you!
14/08/2009: Proposed cull of wild goats at the Valley of the Rocks - make your voice heard!
For centuries a herd of wild goats have been living in the Valley of the Rocks, North Devon. A previous cull in 2007, which was sanctioned by Lynton and Lynmouth Town Council, resulted in two thirds of the billies being destroyed. The council are now proposing a further cull of, we believe, around 90 goats including up to 20 kids. Minutes from recent town council meetings, which are freely available online, indicate that the cull may be planned for October:
“A further roundup would take place in October once the kids had grown independent when a cull would be considered.” (25th June 2009)
In a previous meeting the need for a ‘long-term system of management control’ was raised, with the recommendation that “the Town Clerk be authorised to start immediate discussions on the arrangements for the round-up, medical treatment and cull of the surplus animals.” (28th May 2009)
We have received some facts about the proposed cull which make for disturbing and upsetting reading. This brutal and unfair treatment of a species that has historically been part of the landscape and the ecosystem is opposed by many of the local inhabitants, as well as those of us concerned about goat welfare. If anyone would like to voice their opposition to the cull please email Lynton and Lynmouth Town Council to make your feelings known, or write to the Town Clerk at the following address:
Geoff Dwyer, Lynton & Lymnouth Town Council, Town Hall, Lee Road, Lynton, Devon EX35 6HT
Even better, perhaps there are some kind souls out there who would be willing to re-home one of the fated goats to prevent them coming to an untimely end?
27/6/2009: Charity event for resecued dogs and horses + horsey car boot sale
A rescue horse and dog show plus equine car boot sale will be held on Sunday 9th August at Knightshayes Court, Bolham, Tiverton, in aid of the Brooke Hospital for Animals. Click HERE to download a flyer for the event and HERE to book a pitch for the car boot sale. For further details please contact Penny on 01884 254665 or Jane on 01884 861181.
9/6/2009: A barbaric end for racehorses
Have you ever wondered what happens to racehorses when they 'retire'? Whilst some end up living out their days being loved and cared for, like our Rainbow Ruby, others meet with a far more pitiful and gruesome end in Japanese slaughterhouses, where they become meat for dog, and human, consumption. For more details see the campaign link on the PETA website at www.peta.org.uk.
30/3/2009: Sylvia Phillips, Devon Horse & Pony Sanctuary (Manaton)
We are shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden death of Sylvia on the 28th March in Dordogne, France.
We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Sylvia's family at this very sad time.
Sylvia will be truly missed by all who had the privilege to know her, and she is a great loss to the equine rescue community.
In Our Hearts
Your memory is our keepsake,
With which we'll never part,
God has you in his keeping,
We have you in our heart.
Thank you Sylvia from all the horses, ponies and donkeys you have helped over many selfless years.
Linny & Annie, and all at Rainbow.
12/3/2009: Canadian seal cull - make your voice heard!
The annual Canadian seal cull is about to begin with an estimated 330,000 seals to be killed. Click here to add your voice to the protests.
8/3/2009: A farewell to Annie
Dear friend and Rainbow supporter Annie will shortly be leaving us for pastures new. Annie was bid a fond farewell by the Rainbow gang over a meal at the Coppa Dolla in Broadhempston, and we all wish her and Jack every happiness for the future (and Apache and Pippin, of course!)
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Did Annie pass the 'Trifle Challenge'? Click here to find out, and to see more photos from the Rainbow meal! |
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Horses stolen from Cheshire
5 horses (1 stallion, 1 mare, 2 yearling colts and 1 colt foal) were stolen from Cheshire on 10th Dec 2008. Please help the owner to find her horses by printing out and displaying or distributing this poster (2MB download).
***IMPORTANT INFO: email address***
The problems with the sanctaury email address have now been sorted out - thankfully - so our original email address is now back in action: info@rainbowvalleysanctuary.org.uk. The temporary address rainbowvalley@live.com will be kept live for the next month or so, just to make sure that we don't lose any vital enquiries or info.
Update on Mac
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This is the latest photo of Mac with Dawn - he's doing really well and Dawn loves him, which is the most important thing! If anyone can help another Rainbow pony find a loving and happy home then please let us know! |
***HAPPY NEW YEAR***
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our sponsors, fund raisers and supporters for their help and support in 2008, and to wish everyone a very happy 2009.
***IMPORTANT INFORMATION - new email address***
We are currently having problems with our email. We are hoping to get this resolved as soon as possible, but in the meantime we have a temporary email address which is rainbowvalley@live.com.
A very big 'THANK YOU'!
Heartfelt thanks to Mandy, Nikki and Sandra Watt who held a coffee morning and raffle on 29th Nov, and raised over £270 for the sanctuary! With lots of love from everyone at Rainbow Valley xxx
Are you concerned about long-distance transport of animals?
Many animals suffer long, distressing journeys before slaughter. This includes horses, thousands of which are transported from Spain to Italy every year. If you are concerned about long-distance transport and want to do something, then please sign the petition raised by the Handle with Care coalition, which will be presented to the EU commissioner in October.
A big 'THANK YOU' and a big appeal for help....
First of all, we would like to say a huge "THANK YOU" from the bottom of our hearts to the anonymous benefactor who has donated £500 towards our vet bill. This bill is a constant source of worry, and it's only through the kindness of and generosity of people willing to give that we are able to keep going. So thank you again, both for your amazing gift and for restoring our faith in human nature!
Which leads us on to our appeal for help. Due to this year's unseasonably wet summer, we have been unable to cut our hay field. This would normally provide us with around 400-450 bales of hay, which would go a long way towards seeing us through the winter months. So we would like to appeal to local people - particularly those whose animals we have helped, or are helping - to donate a bale of hay, and help the animals stay fed this winter. If anyone would prefer to make a financial donation towards the cost of some hay, please send a cheque payable to Rainbow Sanctuary to 43 Higher Budleigh Meadows, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ12 1UL.
Thank you!
Warning for dog owners - DANGEROUS TOY
This is a terribly sad story, but a warning for all dog owners to look out for potentially dangerous toys: http://www.thechaistory.blogspot.com/
Does your dog eat grapes??
This might sound like an odd question, but some recent reports indicate that grapes can be very dangerous to our canine friends. See the following links for more details:
http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/raisins.asp
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/grapeandraisin.htm
Horses for re-homing
We have received a request to help re-home a group of 5 horses. The current owner is seeking a generous, loving and caring person to look after the horses, possibly long term. Help will be given towards the cost of feed. The horses, 4 mares and a gelding, currently live together as a 'family group' which the owner wishes to maintain. They comprise: an elderly mare who is rising 31 and her son (the gelding) who is 15, a younger mare (23) and her daughter, also 15, and another mare who is half-sister to each of these.
In addition there are 2 Appaloosa stallions who live together happily, and have never covered mares. One was hand-reared after being rejected by it's mother, and the other is his half-brother. Both are 16 years old.
All of the horses are happy, well, healthy and cared for, and all currently live out with no rugs. They are well bred, good looking and love people. The owner will request to see where they would be kept.
We hope to receive some photos soon, but if anyone is interested or would like further details please contact Lin in the first instance.
Appeal for sponsors
As ever we are on the lookout for people to sponsor our animals. Sponsorship is particularly important at this time of year as we need to feed our motley crew over the winter months. The cost of hard feed is rising rapidly and we have many hungry mouths to feed. Our sponsorship pages will be updated shortly, but in the meantime if you think you can spare a few pounds a month to help us out then please contact Lin. We now have two very 'characterful' sheep - Jake and Shaun - who are also be available for sponsorship so there is a range of animals to choose from (even the geese and ducks need friends!)
Another big THANK YOU!
Many thanks to Sarah, Will, Joyce, Dave and Elouise for organising last Sunday's car boot sale, which raised £70.
Many of you out there regularly turn up to Rainbow events and we thank you wholeheartedly for your continued support. However, we feel we need to point out that people are asking us to hold these car boot sales, but then failing to turn up. The same is true of the fun rides. A HUGE amount of time and effort - all voluntary - goes into organising these events, and if they are to continue then we need your support. Lin has been told on several occasions that the Rainbow Fun Ride is one of the best in the area, so it will be a terrible shame if it were to stop due to lack of interest.
The Christmas Fun Ride will only take place if enough riders commit to taking part. Anyone interested in doing the ride should email Lin to register their interest.
New arrivals
Meet Magnus (left) and Robin (right), two little ponies that were rescued from the slaughter sales at Chagford earlier this week. There were many, many others that needed help and whose fates don't bear thinking about, but these are the two that Lin and Alan have brought back to raise at Rainbow. Find out more about Magnus and Robin's journey from the sales to Rainbow Valley......
A very big THANK YOU!.....
....to Louise and Karl Evans who walked 120 miles along the Poole to Torquay coast path and raised £200 for sanctuary. The walk took 5 days in total and involved camping out overnight - now that's dedication! If anyone else would like to raise funds for the sanctuary please email us!
Thinking of owning a parrot?........
This poor little chap is Charlie. He was kept shut in a room on his own, and out of boredom he pulled out all of the feathers on his body and wings. Luckily he is now in the care of Lin where he has another parrot, Fred, for company. Despite his appearance he is a real character, and is already showing some improvement by starting to grow back some of his feathers. But this is what can happen when these wild birds are kept in captivity with no stimulation, so please think very carefully before deciding to take one on.
Some happy endings!
Angus and Noah left the sanctuary on Sunday 30th September for a new life together in a lovely new home. It was sad to see them go, but apparently they are settling in well and basking in lots of attention. This is Angus about to set off, looking very smart in a new rug!
Diana the goat has found a lovely new home in Dartington with another elderly goat whose companion sadly died recently. Apparently they are getting on like a house on fire and Diana very much rules the roost!
Buddy and Bertie, the bottle-fed kids, have also found a new home. Here they are!
Mac and Dawn First in Show
Mac has been on loan to Dawn now for 18 months. He originally came to the sanctuary very neglected. He has now just had his first show win. Here is their stoy.
"I was doing a class called competition/sports horse. This was at the Gipping Riding Society show held in the grounds of Helmingham Hall. The class is judged on the best horse to be a general competition or sports horse. We had to do a show which included movements called a trot serpentine, canter serpentine, extended trot and free walk on a long rein. All movements which show how supple and obedient the horse is. The horse's general conformation and attitude was also taken into account as to how suitable they would be to be a competition/sports horse. Mac just did everything I asked (after I'd woken him up from his snooze outside the ring!). In my opinion I don't think he can have gone any better. He has come on so much from the horse I brought back from Devon and from the horse who tried to have me and judge off at a show last year! I never expected we'd be able to do anything like this. He was just a superstar! And I think he really enjoyed himself. He's certainly seemed rather pleased with himself since then!"
Fund Raising
Sunday 27th May Martin Stokes, Jodie Fisher and Kate Donovan from the University of Plymouth ran the Plymouth Half Marathon in aid of Rainbow Valley. The final amount raised is still to be confirmed, but is expected to be in excess of £250.
Martin looking very tired indeed!
Thank you for your hard work.
Download a copy of our screen saver.
Click on the link and install the exe file to your computer.
Rainbow Valley Newsletter for December 2006. Please email me your feedback.
A New Supporter to the Sanctuary
We have just been donated some copies of children stories written by Zemo Watts about a goat and a pony to sell to raise money for the sanctuary. If you are interested in a copy please contact me or visit his http://www.goatandpony.com
If you have any questions that are not addressed on this website or need advice please contact Lin East on the number below.
Home | The Sanctuary | Ponies | Goats | Volunteers | Supporters | Events | Rehoming | Sponsorship
Wrigwell Lane
Wrigwell
Devon TQ12 5UB
Tel: 01803 814212/01626 203938
Rainbow Valley Pony and Goat Sanctuary is currently not a registered charity