Fur and Feathers Animal Sanctuary desperate to find new home

Fur and Feathers Animal Sanctuary based on Houndsfield Lane has experienced a testing few months with a break-in last October and then being evicted by their landowner in March.

However, the sanctuary then received some good news which they thought would be the end to their ‘devastating ordeal’.

A generous landowner in Burcot, Bromsgrove offered their land for a peppercorn rent.

Porky the pig. (Image: Fur and Feathers Animal Sanctuary.)

This week, Porky the pig and horses still based at Houndsfield Lane were due to be moved over to the new site as well as work commencing to erect fencing.

But the sanctuary was dealt another blow when Bromsgrove District Council informed trustees that planning permission would be needed for any work to commence.

Lisa Hunt, founder and trustee of Fur and Feathers Animal Sanctuary said: “All the structures are wooden, like sheds, and we have been told even the fencing needs planning permission.

“We have done our research and spoken to architects and people with experience within the industry – we had it all planned out.

The sanctuary's site in Wythall has been cleared. (Image: Fur and Feathers Animal Sanctuary.)

“Now we have to cancel everything and have been told any future planning applications would likely be refused.”

Bromsgrove District Council said they acted fast to make sure the sanctuary did not get into ‘legal problems further down the line’ and advised them of significant risks they would face if an animal sanctuary was built on the land.

Lisa said all cats have gone into foster care whilst a temporary home has been found for Porky and the horse as the Houndsfield Lane site is near empty.

All sheds and units have been cleared. (Image: Fur and Feathers Animal Sanctuary.)

“Most of the sheds are gone as well as the units – there’s no stuff left at all,” added Lisa.

“Porky and the horses are being moved to their temporary home at the end of the week.

“We have to had to get more storage space so we are spread out everywhere at the minute – it's a nightmare.”

The animal sanctuary says they are ‘back to the drawing board’ and ‘the light at the end of the tunnel has been extinguished’.

“We really need a home, there has to be somewhere, we need help desperately,” said Lisa

“The sanctuary has not only saved thousands of animals over the years but was also a major hub of the community.

This is what the pens used to look like. (Image: Fur and Feathers Animal Sanctuary.)

“We are all heartbroken.”

A spokesperson for Bromsgrove District Council said: “When we were made aware that the charity intended to make a new animal sanctuary on land where it would be very unlikely to be permitted, we moved fast to contact them and help them avoid inadvertently getting into legal problems further down the line.

“After a long phone call, we were asked to put everything in writing, which we have done.

“We appreciate that it’s not what the charity wanted to hear, and some of the advice was lengthy and technical, but it is what they needed to hear given the significant risks they would be facing if they were to proceed on that land.

“We would always recommend seeking professional pre-planning advice.

 “We continue to wish the sanctuary all the best in their hunt for a new home.”