Expat-founded Spanish Horse Rescue Centre Faces Closure After Storm Damage

Spain's expat-owned Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre is at risk of folding due to financial pressures.

British expats Sue and Rod Weeding started the Costa Blanca rescue centre eleven years ago and are now struggling to keep it going after having to order forage at far more than twice the usual rate due to last September’s massive storms. Normally, the centre’s charity shops are a vital source of funds even although every item sold is taxed, but because of the huge bills for replacement forage after the storm decimated cheap local supplies, the couple are terrified they’ll have to close.

Generous contributions from local expats enabled the couple to reduce the €20,000 they owed for the forage to €17,200, but the supplier is now demanding the balance immediately, a huge amount they just don’t have. Immediately after the storm, people rallied round in support of the charity but, due to dishonesty and the Spanish government’s insistence of VAT payments on the donated equipment and food, they’ve not received much of the money due.

Sue and Rod are insisting the scary situation isn’t the result of poor management on their part, explaining that it’s down to extreme circumstances totally beyond their control. It’s the 120 horses, donkeys, ponies and other rescued species which will suffer should the dire situation not be resolved. The centre is staffed by dedicated expat volunteers, and all the rescued animals are able to be rehomed once they’re stabilised and in good health. The centre is the only horse rescue foundation in Spain, and donations can be made via the website at easyhorsecare.net.