Crosskennan Lane Animal Sanctuary

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Crosskennan Lane Animal Sanctuary Hope for the Future 🌱 | See crosskennanlane.co.uk/support-us 💚 | Visits by appointment only! 🐴🐶🐱 Once upon a time there were two horses called Kim and Candy.

Sadly that was where the fairytale ended. Their story is the story of Crosskennan Lane Animal Sanctuary, or at least the beginnings of it. The failure of the animal welfare system in Northern Ireland to look after Kim and Candy prompted me to apply for charitable status in 1996. The subsequent years have been full of heartache, tears, anger and ultimately triumph. I promised myself that, whilst Kim and Candy had been failed by the welfare system and the ignorance of the rescue centre they were placed in, the horses, ponies and donkeys who came into the care of CLAS would never be denied the love and attention they so desperately deserved. Crosskennan on opening our gates were for equines; horses ponies and donkeys but we have never turned any animal in need away when we can help them. Over the years we have helped an average of 400 animals annually and now in our 25th year we are home to an average of 150 animals on a long term or permanent residency. The last 25 years certainly have not been easy but have made us all the more determined to improve the situation in Northern Ireland. Ignorance is a great stumbling block and time and time again we have found ourselves up against it. It is ignorance that allows a mare to be locked up in a stable in filth for years without regular food or water or exercise. It is ignorance that allows 13 cats to be left to fend for themselves, turning wild and fighting among themselves, in a house after the owner passed away. And it is ignorance that allows a trotting horse to be driven to his death on a public road. Old habits die hard and attitudes are firmly entrenched but we are determined to fight on to make Northern Ireland a better place for all animals. In the meantime, however, we will continue with our educational and cross community approach to animal welfare. Through our Animal's Helping People workshops and training we hope that the next generation of animal owners will be wiser and more informed than this one. Our story isn’t all doom and gloom though. We have the support of many kind people, friends and volunteers who keep the sanctuary running. We also have many success stories. The mare walled up in misery and filth now has a super home and 12 of the 13 cats have all been treated, spayed, and rehomed: living wonderful lives with new families. We may have helped these animals but their triumphs are down to them. They are a testimony to the resilience of animals to overcome psychological and physical abuse and neglect. Their ability to forgive mankind for the terrible deeds inflicted upon them is surely one of the most amazing phenomena of life. Our work has taught us many lessons, some of them humbling, some of them inspiring, all of them worth learning. Our motto is ‘Hope for the future: Help us trust Again’ and it will be for as long as it takes to make a difference in Northern Ireland. We realise that we cannot change the world but that doesn’t stop us trying.

13/10/2026

We’re in need of puppy training pads!🐶

If you have any that you don’t need anymore we would really appreciate them!

Any donations can be dropped off to the sanctuary💚

30 years of saving lives, and this winter we really need your help! 💚In 1996, Crosskennan Lane was founded because horse...
12/10/2026

30 years of saving lives, and this winter we really need your help! 💚

In 1996, Crosskennan Lane was founded because horses and ponies in Northern Ireland had nowhere else to turn. Three decades later, we're still here for the animals. But your support truly matters right now.

We're not just a rescue, we're a sanctuary. Many animals go on to loving new homes, but for those who can't be rehomed, we make a promise: a home for life. Today we're home to many horses, ponies, dogs, cats and chickens. They live full, happy lives, joining in with team-building days, birthday parties and animal-assisted wellbeing sessions. The horses especially love spending time with visitors. They wait their turn to be brushed and fussed over, and enjoy every visit as much as the people do!

As the hardest months arrive, the 100+ animals in our care need more feed, bedding and vet visits than ever. We’d always rather give something back than ask for donations, here are some ways you can help us:

💚 Book us: Corporate team-building days, Birthday pony parties, Cats and Coffee events. Join our upcoming Cats and Coffee event - https://www.crosskennanlane.co.uk/events-1/coffee-and-cats-saturday-24th-october-2026-11am

💚 Fundraise in your own way: Tea parties, skydives, marathons, collections, anything goes!

💚 Volunteer your time with us: Help us care for our horses or smaller animals: [email protected]

💚 Sponsor an animal: From just £3 a month - https://www.crosskennanlane.co.uk/sponsor-an-animal

💚 Donate items: Newspapers, towels and blankets keep our smaller animals warm. Your old games, consoles and phones can be recycled to raise funds.

💚 Share this post: It costs nothing and helps more people find us.

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And If you'd like to donate directly, every donation goes toward the animals in our care:
PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/GB/fundraiser/charity/131673
Justgiving: https://www.justgiving.com/charity/crosskennanlaneanimalsanctuary

The animals who come to us, have been let down before, “Hope for the future" is our promise to them. With your help, we can keep it.

Email: [email protected]

Thank you.

We have to catch up on thanking everyone for their wonderful donations recently!Thank you Leona Kelly for the donation o...
09/10/2026

We have to catch up on thanking everyone for their wonderful donations recently!

Thank you Leona Kelly for the donation of shavings and other equestrian items, this helps to keep our equine’s beds clean and comfortable🐴

George and Rachel donated some bags of apples, a treat that’s always thoroughly enjoyed by our equines🍎

Pamela donated dog toys-it’s so special to see our resident dogs pick their new favourite toy🧸

Darren donated some rugs for our horses, we are definitely starting to think about rugging up with the changing temperatures recently🥶

We didn’t catch your name, but our cats were spoilt with a large donation of treats🐱

Kelsey and Megan thought of all our animals with various treats and some lovely new blankets and cleaning items to help keep living spaces cosy and clean🥰

Gail crocheted some gorgeous cat blankets for us, a lovely handmade gift that will keep our cats comfy and warm while brightening up their beds🐈‍⬛

Thank you everyone, your support helps us keep our residents comfortable and happy💚

Ziggy & Miso a bonded pair of 1 year old cats - still patiently waiting on applications
05/10/2026

Ziggy & Miso a bonded pair of 1 year old cats - still patiently waiting on applications

We were visited yesterday by Lauren Fleming from Fleming & Cuthbert Funeral Directors, who presented a cheque for £8,170...
30/09/2026

We were visited yesterday by Lauren Fleming from Fleming & Cuthbert Funeral Directors, who presented a cheque for £8,170.

This wonderful total was raised through donations in lieu of flowers, in loving memory of Lauren’s brother, Jamie Fleming.

This support will make a massive difference to the animals in our care, especially coming into the winter months❤️

This Sunday at 3pm, St Gerard’s Parish Church are holding a Pet Blessing Service with a collection in aid of the sanctua...
28/09/2026

This Sunday at 3pm, St Gerard’s Parish Church are holding a Pet Blessing Service with a collection in aid of the sanctuary💚

Everyone is welcome, we hope to see you there to celebrate our furry friends🐶🐱

25/09/2026

Meet Ronnie🖤

Ronnie arrived with us in April from the dog shelter we work with in Monaghan.
They needed an urgent rescue placement for this unsure young Collie, who had been handed in after straying for several weeks.

Ronnie has made incredible progress in just a few months and we feel he is ready to meet his adopters!

Ronnie has never lived inside a home before, so we’re currently working on building his confidence with everyday indoor life at the sanctuary. He’s an intelligent boy who is learning everything from scratch, and he’s taking it all in very well.

He’s placid but nervous and takes a good while to warm up to new people. Because of this he would require a few meet and greets to build up trust.

Ronnie loves company, whether human or canine, and gets on extremely well with all other dogs here at the sanctuary.

We feel he’d be best suited to a home with canine company already in place, alongside a patient adopter who can give him the time he needs to settle!

If you’re interested in meeting Ronnie, please email 📧 [email protected]

We’d love to find this special boy his forever home🐾❤️

We know it’s early but…We’re starting to think of Christmas🎄🎅🏼And that means our Christmas Ballot! So we’re looking for ...
24/09/2026

We know it’s early but…
We’re starting to think of Christmas🎄🎅🏼

And that means our Christmas Ballot!
So we’re looking for some fabulous prizes to help us raise funds for the winter❄️☃️

Some of the prizes we’ve had before include:

🛍️Gift vouchers (shops, restaurants)
😌Overnight stays
💝Unique experiences
🎁Hampers
💷Cash donations
🥂Special treats

If you have a small business, or have something you’d like to donate, send us an email!
📧 [email protected]

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