AN ANIMAL sanctuary has "regretfully" decided to close after five years and is now searching to rehome the animals.
Knights Mead Animal Sanctuary in Lulworth has made the difficult decision to close after having no choice but to give up its land.
After starting the rescue in 2017, Lian, the sanctuary's owner, is "heartbroken" to be closing it.
Lian said due to personal issues she has lost her land and home, "I don't have a choice but to regretfully close.
"Most of the animals have been rehomed, and a lot of rescues have been reaching out to me who I have worked with in the past, I have had an immense amount of support from the community."
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Lian's sanctuary has rescued 7,500 animals over the five years they were open.
The sanctuary owned land in Axminster along with the land Lian used from her home.
The pigs, sheep, and chickens that Lian keeps as pets are cared for in a small field that she rents in her village.
She's chosen to keep the field and pay for this herself so she won't have to part with all of her animals.
Lian added: “At the moment I am hoping to keep the field on so I can at least keep my pet animals.
“Most of the animals we have to rehome have already been homed but I have still got a few more to go, mainly rabbits and guinea pigs and some more chickens as well that will be going over the weekend.
“A lot of individuals have been taking on the animals, including some of my friends so I know that they are going to really good homes because I'm not letting the animals go just to anyone, they have got be the same standards as when I was running the sanctuary.”
Lian is currently trying to find somewhere to live with her five-year-old daughter and her five dogs and three cats.
Lian added: “I need to accommodate my daughter and my pets so that means the charity has to go, the small field with my pets on will be able to stay but sadly I'm going to have to give up my other animals.
“I hope to re-open the sanctuary in the future, but I need to raise the funds to be able to do so."
You can donate to Lian's fundraiser here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-build-a-safe-haven-be-a-voice-for-animals?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=sms&utm_source=customer
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