MORE than 20 rescued ponies could become homeless if new land is not found soon.

The family-run pony and horse charity, Littl’uns Equine Rescue Trust, have just eight weeks to find a new yard after the Government allowed planning permission for a massive rail and freight depot to be built in Slade Green.

The charity currently rents land near Slade Green Sports Club, but this is right in the middle of what is to become the biggest depot of its kind in London and the South East.

Littl’uns is desperate to find at least 30 acres of self-contained land to continue its work, or the welfare of its ponies could be put at risk.

The charity’s treasurer, Simon Kellow, said: "If we are unable to continue, I fear many ponies could be put down.

"We really don’t want to be homeless. We always knew that this could happen, but didn’t think it would happen so quickly.

"We have had two moves in the past year or so and it is not good for the ponies, especially considering some of their backgrounds."

They have been allowed to rent their current base for a year, but have already had to turn some rescued ponies away due to a lack of space. Mr Kellow added: "There won’t be anywhere left for horses and ponies to graze soon.

"Our landlord has been trying to find us alternative accommodation but so far it has been less land and fewer facilities for more money."

Trustees

Finance is just one of the hurdles they face as the charity receives no regular sponsored help and is funded mostly by the trustees.

Mr Kellow explained: "Our only overheads are the cost of running the yard and keeping the ponies. We don’t take any wages or expenses and with a turnover of £13,000, almost £12,000 came out of the trustees’ pockets."

The equine-mad Kellow family have been rescuing and taking in abandoned horses and ponies for the last seven years and became an official trust in April 2004. They were then granted a charity registration number in September 2005.

He said: "There are more and more ponies being abandoned, mistreated and neglected, as people buy them as pets without having the dedication, knowledge and money needed to keep them, in particular miniature Shetland ponies."

Mr Kellow’s ideal scenario is to find a site able to support stables and shelters for the ponies, close to the A2, M2 and M20 corridor.

He added: "Another option is a smaller grass location which has a large crop field that could be converted into pasture eventually.

"We are prepared to talk to land owners who know what money their land is generating with crop and see if we could match it.

"Stability is what the ponies need, and we’re not able to offer that at the moment."

You can help by sponsoring a pony for £40 a year or apply to look after a pony on loan or simply make a donation. Please visit www.lert.org.uk and see how