Whispering Willows and Alternative sanctuary

[HEM]

The whole thing is very bizarre. It seems Sandra has managed to hypnotise people with her lives to believe everything they are told.

There are a lot of questions yet to be answered and I feel that is all the people on this thread really want.

If you haven't been yourself Dree how can you believe Sandra over the lady that worked there and has said that they found a dead goat, animals were left without water etc.

I am happy to support if I could make it to visit in person and was happy where my money was going and the welfare of all the animals was up to standard, but what I see through the lives (remembering this is the parts that Sandra and her team WANT us to see) I am skeptical of. I don't feel as though it would be a complete surprise if what the other lady (I can't remember her name, possibly Karen?) was all true.

 

[dree]

I've seen the lives, thats why I'm so concerned. The question is, you've seen those lives as well, why arent you concerned?

These are all things clearly shown in the lives: Sickly looking foals eating slop from a trough twice a day and not being checked over. Adult horses chucked out in a tiny yard filled with cars being chased by a dog. Ponies slowly dying and no one there having enough sense to realise until its too late. Animals being stolen from owners and other rescue organisations. Excessive amounts of horses crammed into dusty paddocks with only hay to eat and sometimes no water.

I could go on and on

You and I must be watching different videos!! Can you back up what you have just said, or is this just another rumour that becomes another rumour somewhere else, and ends up being the "truth".

 

[dree]

Horses breed each year. Somebody has allowed these foals to be born so there presumably nothing stopping them foaling next year too?

They were not her foals. They were tossed aside (presumably by gypsies as they are all gypsy types) and left to die. They were found alone, with no mares, and no other horses in sight. Someone phoned WWS and they went and collected them. If they hadn't, the foals would have died. I take off my hat to someone who does that. The Rspca would have "kept and eye on them".....and the foals would have died. I detest the Rspca, which is perhaps why I like someone who just goes in and does what is necessary to do. Do you go on the site and have a look?

 

[dree]

The whole thing is very bizarre. It seems Sandra has managed to hypnotise people with her lives to believe everything they are told.

There are a lot of questions yet to be answered and I feel that is all the people on this thread really want.

If you haven't been yourself Dree how can you believe Sandra over the lady that worked there and has said that they found a dead goat, animals were left without water etc.

I am happy to support if I could make it to visit in person and was happy where my money was going and the welfare of all the animals was up to standard, but what I see through the lives (remembering this is the parts that Sandra and her team WANT us to see) I am skeptical of. I don't feel as though it would be a complete surprise if what the other lady (I can't remember her name, possibly Karen?) was all true.

Karen and Sandra fell out, so Karen is obviously going to say what she wants to say. Does that mean that we should believe her? Really, you have to go on the site and make up your own mind. Or visit the sanctuary. Sandra has repeatedly said that people are welcome. She may not be perfect, but the horses, quite honestly, look well, as do the foals. Maybe I'm wrong, and I'm being lied to? (How many rescues to you trust? I trust very few.) If you look at PFK you would scream in horror and say they were being downright cruel, but no-one does because they do what they can do.

 

[rascal]

You and I must be watching different videos!! Can you back up what you have just said, or is this just another rumour that becomes another rumour somewhere else, and ends up being the "truth". [/QUOTE


Some of us did see the lives, and that is why we are so concerned. You know very little about horses if you think this is the right way to keep them. Those poor foals looked like they needed a wormer and a few good feeds. If you think this is acceptable then you either have no idea about animal welfare, or just do not care.

 

[HEM]

Karen and Sandra fell out, so Karen is obviously going to say what she wants to say. Does that mean that we should believe her? Really, you have to go on the site and make up your own mind. Or visit the sanctuary. Sandra has repeatedly said that people are welcome. She may not be perfect, but the horses, quite honestly, look well, as do the foals. Maybe I'm wrong, and I'm being lied to? (How many rescues to you trust? I trust very few.) If you look at PFK you would scream in horror and say they were being downright cruel, but no-one does because they do what they can do.

Of course, there are 2 sides of the truth always, I just feel Karen's is more realistic given what has been shown and not shown from the live videos.

I have been on there website (assume that's what you mean by site) I am also on their facebook page and have watched many of the live videos Sandra posts.

You keep saying to visit the sanctuary but haven't visited yourself? To be truthfully honest, I don't want to visit the 'sanctuary' as I think it would both upset and enrage me. Plus I am not sure I would be welcome given the amount of name drops she provided in her live videos from people that are haters or backstabbers.It's not a professional set up and I do feel that that peoples naivety and generosity are being taken for granted.

 

[Zero00000]

For what reason did Karen and Sandra fall out?
Karen was one of her biggest advocates, she took a huge U turn once she visited site, that in itself speaks volumes.

 

[meleeka]

They were not her foals. They were tossed aside (presumably by gypsies as they are all gypsy types) and left to die. They were found alone, with no mares, and no other horses in sight. Someone phoned WWS and they went and collected them. If they hadn't, the foals would have died. I take off my hat to someone who does that. The Rspca would have "kept and eye on them".....and the foals would have died. I detest the Rspca, which is perhaps why I like someone who just goes in and does what is necessary to do. Do you go on the site and have a look?

You must be aware of the rumours that she knows exactly who these foals belonged to? I too detest the RSPCA but I really think in this case, gathering evidence and prosecuting would have been sensible. By rescuing them she’s given the owner a solution to all their unwanted colts and I really hope word doesn’t get round in the travelling community that they can just be dumped on a field and she’ll collect them and sort the problem. The foals she has are the tip of the iceberg and she could be overrun with them before much longer.

 

[AmyMay]

I think that, at present, the foals remain people’s biggest concerns.

They need to be split in to much smaller age appropriate groups. Some of the older ones don’t look too bad. But feeding time is a disaster, and the younger (and weeker one’s) just don’t get a look in.

Fair play to the woman for trying to help, but these little ones really do need to be managed very differently.

 

[dree]

You must be aware of the rumours that she knows exactly who these foals belonged to? I too detest the RSPCA but I really think in this case, gathering evidence and prosecuting would have been sensible. By rescuing them she’s given the owner a solution to all their unwanted colts and I really hope word doesn’t get round in the travelling community that they can just be dumped on a field and she’ll collect them and sort the problem. The foals she has are the tip of the iceberg and she could be overrun with them before much longer.

it's a catch 22 though, isn't it? The travelling community do what they want, where they want. They are very, very rarely prosecuted, and the Rspca and police leave them to it. I know of one lot who have a friend's dogs.....and she can't get them back. But getting back to the foals, what else does one do? Leave them to die? Just ignore them? I don't know about you, but I couldn't do it. You said:- "gathering evidence and prosecuting would have been sensible." That sounds great, but who do you gather evidence against and prosecute, as they were on their own with no-one in sight? No-one knew where they came from.

 

[dree]

I think that, at present, the foals remain people’s biggest concerns.

They need to be split in to much smaller age appropriate groups. Some of the older ones don’t look too bad. But feeding time is a disaster, and the younger (and weeker one’s) just don’t get a look in.

Fair play to the woman for trying to help, but these little ones really do need to be managed very differently.

She is open to help from people who know what they are doing. Phone her and offer your help. Seriously.

 

[dree]

For what reason did Karen and Sandra fall out?
Karen was one of her biggest advocates, she took a huge U turn once she visited site, that in itself speaks volumes.

As far as I'm aware, Karen had practically lived at the site. How did they become best friends otherwise?

 

[Leo Walker]

You and I must be watching different videos!! Can you back up what you have just said, or is this just another rumour that becomes another rumour somewhere else, and ends up being the "truth".

Yes I can back it up. Watch the live videos. Theres millions of them. In fact you can even go and read transcripts of them. Those are very interesting. Its amazing what people say in the course of jabbering on that doesnt get picked up on until its written down in front of you.

Its also interesting that you demand we watch the videos, but then when we have and we still have legitimate concerns, that you then start banging on about rumours. I am basing my opinion on the videos, not on any sort of rumours. Perhaps you could show me a video that shows healthy foals receiving appropriate care and handling, oh wait, there isnt one sadly.

 

[dree]

Of course, there are 2 sides of the truth always, I just feel Karen's is more realistic given what has been shown and not shown from the live videos.

I have been on there website (assume that's what you mean by site) I am also on their facebook page and have watched many of the live videos Sandra posts.

You keep saying to visit the sanctuary but haven't visited yourself? To be truthfully honest, I don't want to visit the 'sanctuary' as I think it would both upset and enrage me. Plus I am not sure I would be welcome given the amount of name drops she provided in her live videos from people that are haters or backstabbers.It's not a professional set up and I do feel that that peoples naivety and generosity are being taken for granted.

You might be right. At the moment, being in a wheelchair makes visiting her difficult, since my husband is my driver, and we go to dog shows every weekend. I would love to visit, to see with my own eyes. But in the meantime, |I am leaning on the side of Sandra, who at least is trying to do some good instead of spouting stuff, which, even to me, sounds like rubbish.

 

[Leo Walker]

She is open to help from people who know what they are doing. Phone her and offer your help. Seriously.

Two of my friends have. Over 40yrs exeperience of rehabbing horses between them. They were both turned down. Several other well run and respected sanctuaries and rescues have. They were turned down as well. All amongst screams and accusations that they were trying to steal the limelight from Sandra.

 

[AmyMay]

She is open to help from people who know what they are doing. Phone her and offer your help. Seriously.

I don’t live anywhere near her. But common sense dictates that they’d do better in smaller groups. She shouldn’t really need anyone to point that out to her.....??

 

[HEM]

I don’t live anywhere near her. But common sense dictates that they’d do better in smaller groups. She shouldn’t really need anyone to point that out to her.....??

Surely if she needs that pointed out to her then she should not be the one in charge of a horse sanctuary

 

[meleeka]

Two of my friends have. Over 40yrs exeperience of rehabbing horses between them. They were both turned down. Several other well run and respected sanctuaries and rescues have. They were turned down as well. All amongst screams and accusations that they were trying to steal the limelight from Sandra.

I know somebody who has a lot of contacts in rescue and welfare who had offered to help with one particular rescue and the offer was declined as well.

 

[stormox]

And behind the black pony in one of their pics is a sheep pen - with sheep in. Far too small it only looks the size of a stable. Dilapidated shelter and just mud and earth. No grass. Sheep need grass. Sheep need to graze.

 

[meleeka]

it's a catch 22 though, isn't it? The travelling community do what they want, where they want. They are very, very rarely prosecuted, and the Rspca and police leave them to it. I know of one lot who have a friend's dogs.....and she can't get them back. But getting back to the foals, what else does one do? Leave them to die? Just ignore them? I don't know about you, but I couldn't do it. You said:- "gathering evidence and prosecuting would have been sensible." That sounds great, but who do you gather evidence against and prosecute, as they were on their own with no-one in sight? No-one knew where they came from.

Sadly the travelling community will continue to do what they want. If Sandra hadn’t taken them the RSPCA and local authority would have been obliged to do something with them, even if it meant putting them to sleep. That wouldn’t have been cheap and the publicity surrounding it all may well have deterred the same person from doing it again on such a large scale. As it is they’ll be another field or poor foals next year. Sandra isn’t going to be able to keep rescuing everything that needs rescuing, especially if she hasn’t got the facilities to house them properly. There’s a reason other rescues declare themselves full to new cases.

 

[HEM]

I have also just seen a £3k vet bill that SKS stated came out of her personal funds but then was re-posted onto the FB page with the caption stating it is where supporters funds are going.

So are the supporters funds going into Sandra's personal account and then paying for the vet bills?

The transparency of them showing the vet work they have done is great but I'm still a little confused as to why it seems to go to Sandra's personal bank account. I want to see how much they get in donations and the vet bills compared. I have a sneaky feeling there is a tidy income being made somewhere...

 

[stormox]

QUOTE [ Part of me thinks yes, the other part of me thinks no, it's because more people who ]it's a catch 22 though, isn't it? The travelling community do what they want, where they want. They are very, very rarely prosecuted, and the Rspca and police leave them to it. I know of one lot who have a friend's dogs.....and she can't get them back. But getting back to the foals, what else does one do? Leave them to die? Just ignore them? I don't know about you, but I couldn't do it. You said:- "gathering evidence and prosecuting would have been sensible." That sounds great, but who do you gather evidence against and prosecute, as they were on their own with no-one in sight? No-one knew where they came from.[/QUOTE]

I thought these foals were nothing to do with the 'travelling community" but came from a place whete foster mares are hired out to TB studs etc, the mares own foals being sacrificed so a more valuable one can be raised?
But wherever they came from, their management at WW is totally unprofessional and very unfair on the weaker foals.

 

[Clodagh]

Stormox, rather random quotes from me there!!

 

[dree]

Sadly the travelling community will continue to do what they want. If Sandra hadn’t taken them the RSPCA and local authority would have been obliged to do something with them, even if it meant putting them to sleep. That wouldn’t have been cheap and the publicity surrounding it all may well have deterred the same person from doing it again on such a large scale. As it is they’ll be another field or poor foals next year. Sandra isn’t going to be able to keep rescuing everything that needs rescuing, especially if she hasn’t got the facilities to house them properly. There’s a reason other rescues declare themselves full to new cases.

You think that would deter the travelling community. I don't think so.

 

[dree]

QUOTE [ Part of me thinks yes, the other part of me thinks no, it's because more people who ]it's a catch 22 though, isn't it? The travelling community do what they want, where they want. They are very, very rarely prosecuted, and the Rspca and police leave them to it. I know of one lot who have a friend's dogs.....and she can't get them back. But getting back to the foals, what else does one do? Leave them to die? Just ignore them? I don't know about you, but I couldn't do it. You said:- "gathering evidence and prosecuting would have been sensible." That sounds great, but who do you gather evidence against and prosecute, as they were on their own with no-one in sight? No-one knew where they came from.

I thought these foals were nothing to do with the 'travelling community" but came from a place whete foster mares are hired out to TB studs etc, the mares own foals being sacrificed so a more valuable one can be raised?
But wherever they came from, their management at WW is totally unprofessional and very unfair on the weaker foals.[/QUOTE][/QUOTE]
I honestly don't know where you get that info from. Do you have a source for that info?

 

[PapaverFollis]

Got a notification I'd been quoted... weird. Don't even think I joined in this thread!

 

[Clodagh]

Got a notification I'd been quoted... weird. Don't even think I joined in this thread!

same!
Stormox had done a multiquote - has now been edited so it looks as though we are insane. Not to worry!!

 

[stormox]

Sorry folks - yes was trying to put in Drees quote but unfortunately any quotes Id ever used appeared, and before I had a chance to edit them off people had seen them!!

 

[ester]

That was original thought clodagh but I think it became apparent that they all came from the same guy who offloads (sells) them to different 'charities' every year.

We must be watching very different videos, I'm pretty gobsmacked that anyone can watch them and think those foals have all been well cared for.

 

[Clodagh]

That was original thought clodagh but I think it became apparent that they all came from the same guy who offloads (sells) them to different 'charities' every year.
.

Not me! I have no knowledge or comment on this thread.