Snetterton links up with the Netherlands

SNETTERTON-based World Horse Welfare is developing links with the Netherlands, after recently hosting three representatives from the Dutch Society for the Protection of Animals.

SNETTERTON-based World Horse Welfare is developing links with the Netherlands, after recently hosting three representatives from the Dutch Society for the Protection of Animals.

The two-day visit was undertaken by Dierenbescherming, the Netherlands' largest multi-species animal welfare charity, based in Holland.

The charity wanted to gain an insight into how a specialist equine charity is run - something it is looking to establish as part of its current operation.

World Horse Welfare staff ensured that the three representatives spent time in all departments as well as being shown Hall Farm, and the process for rehabilitating and re-homing the horses and ponies currently in their care.

Jo White, director of campaigns, said: “We were pleased to be approached by Dierenbescherming to provide help and advice on how to establish and run an equine rescue and rehabilitation centre. We also felt it important to help our guests understand the breadth of our work, from educating UK owners, international training and campaigning for improved legislation.

“Hopefully, they will soon be in a position to set up such a facility, providing a vital lifeline for horses and ponies throughout the Netherlands.”

Marcel Reijnen, senior policy cfficer for Horse Welfare, Dierenbescherming, added: “Horse welfare has become more and more important in the Netherlands. At this moment, we are running a campaign and therefore investigating how to expand our activities on horse welfare. One of the possibilities is a centre similar to World Horse Welfare's rescue and rehabilitation centre, Hall Farm, which we visited during our stay.

“We were very impressed by the professional standards we witnessed at Hall Farm.”