About our Animals

Our Animals

Heathrow Special Needs Centre (HSNC) moved to this newly built facility in 1998. It was designed by architects supported by the Farm Manager at Thorpe Park and built by British Airports Authority (now Heathrow Airport Ltd) approved contractors in compliance with all relevant regulations in force at that time. In the intervening years it has been maintained, modernised and improved creating better animal housing and enrichment environments together with improved access for visitors.

HSNC is registered with the Department for Farming & Rural Affairs with CPH number 27/325/0064 allocated to the premises. An annual livestock return is made each year in compliance with UK regulations together with occasional notifications of any animal movements to or from site or to prove adherence to seasonal regulations for example Avian Bird Flu restrictions. We are also registered with Hillingdon Borough Council environmental health dept as a premises with animals kept for non farming reasons.

All our animal care staff are fully trained to the relevant standards and have immediate access to further qualified information if needed. There is a Charity Trustee with livestock knowledge who has the allocated role of being the animal care & welfare overall manager. Our staff know to raise any concerns with that person immediately or directly to the relevant vets in an emergency situation. We have specific different veterinary practices who provide professional services to equines, farm animals and small animals.

The equine dentist and farrier are booked at the required intervals on an ongoing basis.
Our donkeys receive an annual visit from a donkey welfare advisor from The Donkey Sanctuary by invitation.

We regularly receive complimentary comments from all animal professionals visiting us regarding our high standards of care and cleanliness which means a very low instance of animal illness apart from those related to natural aging.

All our animals remain with us for life. We do not breed or rehome any of our livestock.

Our client interactions with our animals are strictly managed to ensure that all activities are beneficial to our visitors without creating any stress or detrimental consequences to our livestock. Daily WhatsApp handovers are made to the animal care staff in addition to written records as applicable to ensure proper animal health details are maintained. Regular in person meetings review all aspects of animal care & welfare are undertaken with staff to ensure best practice and where relevant changes are made.