Important update regarding our future

Dear valued supporters,

We feel it’s time to provide you all with an update about some of the happenings at the sanctuary over the previous months.

As you may remember, back in 2020, we announced that we were going to have to apply for a zoo license – not because we wanted to, but because it was a legal requirement due to the animals we have in our care, and the number of days per year that we’re open to the public. We were led to believe that this was merely a paperwork formality, and wouldn’t have an effect on how the sanctuary itself is run, however, this turned out to not be the case.

Following a meeting with our local council towards the end of last year, we have made the decision to not apply for our license. We feel as though it hugely contradicts our morals and ethics, and as a sanctuary that rescues animals, there are many elements that we just couldn’t agree to, such as having to remove “imperfect” animals from public display, euthanizing any animals dumped at the gate, breeding as part as conservation, and so much more. We were told we would have to be a zoo first and foremost, with the rescue element being pushed aside.

It seems absurd to us that you can go online and buy these exotics animals, but a rescue whose sole purpose is to ensure these animals are safe and cared for isn’t able to without facing restrictions that will hugely affect us. Perhaps if these animals weren’t able to enter the country in the first place, there wouldn’t be a need for exotic animal rescues.

With this being said, it does mean that there are going to be some significant changes that you’ll notice – with the main one being our exotic animals will no longer be on public display, except for 6 days a year (which is all we’re allowed without the zoo license) where we’ll hold full “open days” – more details about these will be announced over the coming weeks.

We’re using our winter closure to work tirelessly getting everything ready to re-open for you guys – from rebuilding and moving many enclosures, to fencing off areas, but also more exciting projects that we can’t wait to show you! We’re also working on a jam-packed events calendar, including the return of our pony mornings and 40th anniversary celebrations.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me directly on dave@hopefield.org.uk.

We appreciate your continued support, and hope to see you at the sanctuary when we re-open from the end of March.

Dave Schlaich (CEO) & Lianne Angliss (General Manager)

*exotic animals includes reindeer, marmosets, parrots, birds of prey, raccoons, tanuki, meerkats, palm civets, genets, foxes, tortoises, sugar gliders, skunks, coatimundi, and more.