A rescue center dedicated to exotic animals has announced with heavy hearts that it must close after its mini-zoo was shuttered earlier this year. The Cookham Rescue Centre revealed on Wednesday that it can no longer afford the rent for its site on Lower Mount Farm, Long Lane.
The center will relocate its animals to other zoos and rescue facilities but is actively fundraising to establish a smaller facility where it can continue caring for some of the animals. The closure follows the earlier shutdown of the mini-zoo, which had been operating since May 2023 without proper planning permission. The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council denied the necessary permissions in March, citing concerns over the impact on the green belt.
In a statement, the rescue center expressed its sadness, saying, “Despite our tireless efforts over the past six months, circumstances beyond our control have forced us to vacate our cherished facility.” The statement continued, “We made every effort to adhere to local regulations, but the council determined that our facility was unsuitable for the green belt, even though other businesses on the same land had been approved.”
The center also highlighted the financial strain, stating, “With the rent unchanged despite the facility being unable to operate as intended, we find ourselves unable to sustain the property.”
To support the establishment of a new, smaller facility, the rescue center has launched a GoFundMe campaign aiming to raise £10,000. The new facility will continue to house animals like Otis and Pippa, two wolfdogs who have formed deep bonds with their keepers and have not yet been relocated.