Halfpenny Farm: Animal sanctuary facing closure as fundraiser launched to save Aberdeenshire farm

An animal sanctuary in Aberdeenshire says it’s facing a fight to survive due to a lack of funding.

Halfpenny Farm in Inverurie cares for abandoned, abused and neglected animals – but its future is under threat as running costs soar.

Owners have launched a campaign to raise £60,000 to keep the sanctuary open until the end of 2025.

Louise Yule and her partner Mike set up the farm 15 years ago after moving to the area in 2002.

Louise told STV News: “We’re in pretty financial dire straits. I don’t think we’ll see it to the end of the year unless we can raise some more money, and we’ve had some unexpected bills that’s kind of eaten into the savings.

“All our savings are gone trying to keep it going. So, it’s heartbreaking.”

Halfpenny Farm 'in dire straits', says owner Louise Yule. — Halfpenny Farm ‘in dire straits’, says owner Louise Yule. STV News

If the sanctuary is forced to close, it won’t just be the animals that are affected.

Volunteers are a major part of keeping the farm going, as the farm relies on them to maintain and look after the animals.

People from all backgrounds can help out to gain skills and experience.

Louise said: “We try to help people as well, so we have people from the age of 14 doing their Duke of Edinburgh, people who want to be vets, we have vet students who come.

“People with social difficulties: anxiety, depression, lack of confidence.”

Halfpenny Farm has still not fully recovered from the pandemic. With vet bills on the rise, it has been a struggle to cope with the demand for their services.

Costly repairs have had to be made after trees fell onto the farm during Storm Eowyn.

Louise said: “It’s the current financial climate. Covid hasn’t helped, Brexit’s put prices up on a lot of things, we’ve had lots of storm damage.

“We have less animals than we had at the beginning of Covid and our bills have doubled.”

Halfpenny Farm owners say £60,000 is needed for it to survive the year. STV News

New licencing is also needed which has added more costs to their expenses.

Louise believes more can be done to help support organisations and rescue centres who help animals.

“The government don’t give anything and maybe they should think about it, because most rescues take in animals that people can’t look after anymore and we’re now in a rescue crisis.

“There are animals being dumped left, right and centre because there’s nowhere for them to go.”

Halfpenny Farm does remain hopeful as they’ve managed to raise enough money to stay open for the next few months.

But they will need to hit a £60,000 target to remain open till the end of 2025.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The work that charities and organisations like Halfpenny Farm do is invaluable and Ministers greatly appreciate the Farm’s support for the animals they care for.

“Ministers aim to create the best conditions for the third sector to thrive and provide support to the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, which offers advice and information on a range of funding options.”