Lockdown at Tenerife Animal Sanctuary
At this time, it is impossible for anyone to be reading this anywhere in the world who has not been affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Whether your country has just started lockdown or has been in it for some time, this is a difficult moment for everyone. The virus alone is enough to cause concern — but the effect it has had on the world has also brought hard times for many.
Here at the Finca, we are very fortunate in many ways. Our families and animals are all safe and healthy. We are in lockdown in good company, as some of our kind volunteers chose to stay with us during this time. We have plenty of work to distract from boredom — outdoor space, good weather, and animals that depend on us. We’ve spent our days extending the goat paddock, finishing the roof in the yurt kitchen, building water filters, cleaning paddocks, painting, constructing a pallet plant wall, and watching the sun go down together as we share communal meals. For this, we are very grateful. Each day we wake with a positive attitude, take a deep breath, and enjoy the view.
Sadly, it’s not all easy and peaceful here — though we try to focus on the good and stay grateful. Some things have affected us more than we imagined. Because we are still building the sanctuary, our expenses are high — workers, feed, vet bills, materials, architect and license fees — but our only income is from donations. We’re lucky to have generous supporters, but being new means our following is still small.
Some horses’ feeds are covered by sponsors, but this stopped during lockdown. Visitors who used to bring food for cats and dogs also can’t come. Normally, we rely on leftover food donations from restaurants, bakeries, greengrocers, and supermarkets — these feed both our animals and volunteers. Now, only one small supermarket still helps us, but even they’ve struggled with shortages caused by panic buying. As a result, our food costs for animals and humans have grown tremendously.
Luckily, our volunteers are understanding and have become part of the family. We’re getting creative with eggs from rescue chickens and ducks — but the animals can’t adapt the same way. Our regular feed suppliers are on the mainland, and shipments have been delayed or stopped altogether. When feed is available, it must be purchased in bulk and at full price. We managed to raise some money to buy a few extra bales of hay, but we still need more.
Feed is the biggest challenge, but not the only one. The horses are getting bored; we’re not allowed to ride them, even on our own land. Some can only lunge or walk in-hand, and those with health problems can’t even do that. The poor horses are suffering more than we are.
We finally received planning permission for our official stables before lockdown, and construction was finished. Our architect had a meeting scheduled with the town hall the Monday lockdown began — so our final approval was delayed indefinitely. Until we get that final stamp, we can’t officially close the project license. That uncertainty weighs heavily on us, but we continue to work with faith and high spirits — thanks to our amazing volunteers who keep morale strong every day.
If anyone feels they can help us in any way, it would mean the world. Even sharing this blog helps spread the word!
Donation options:
- PayPal: horseholidaysinfo@gmail.com
- Bank transfer: ES3600810608380001737577
- Via our How to Help page
- Or through our specific lockdown fundraiser below:
Thank you all for reading — please stay safe and sane during this hard time. Good luck… see you all on the other side.
Source: Tenerife Animal Sanctuary
