Rescued animals' future 'on knife edge'

The owner of an animal sanctuary which includes a blind goose, incontinent pug and epileptic pig among its residents says she "burst into tears" after being told she has months to move out.

Amey James, who runs Happy Pants Ranch in Kent, says some 450 mostly disabled or rescued animals need new homes, following the rejection of her planning appeal.

Ms James said the future of the animals was on a "knife-edge", and she fears some may have to be put down if they cannot be rehomed.

Swale Borough Council said it rejected a retrospective change of land use application by Ms James in 2021 after assessing local and national planning policy.

A council spokesperson said her appeal was thrown out by a government inspector in November, who agreed with its initial refusal of planning permission.

"The land needs to be restored to its original condition before the breaches took place," they added.

Ms James said she "burst into tears" when she found out the sanctuary - which she called a "last chance saloon" - had to close.

She said "nobody else wants" the animals in her care, detailing that many had been rehomed multiple times or come from backgrounds of neglect and abuse.

Ms James called the council's decision "unfair" and believes the secluded 20-acre farm near Sittingbourne is the best place for the sanctuary.

She says she invested £90,000 of her own money into developing the site, which was completely overgrown when she arrived three years ago.

Ms James said she is worried about finding an alternative location within the nine months given by the local authority.

"It is not even a long time for a regular house move, let alone with hundreds of animals," she said.

Ms James said Happy Pants has previously been the subject of noise complaints and she had been fined after animals escaped.

Swale Borough Council previously said the noise was "in excess" of reasonable levels.

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