A stunning pony rescued from the horrors of Spindle Farm 10 years ago has been launched as our latest “Adoption Star”.

From Easter, appaloosa pony Cookie – known for his adorably spotty coat – will be available to sponsor through our popular Adoption Scheme. If you want to get in there quick and sponsor Cookie today, click here.

Cookie, who lives at our Aylsham Visitor Centre, north of Norwich, has been specially chosen to join the scheme in honour of the 10-year anniversary of the notorious Amersham rescue and in celebration of the remarkable recoveries made by its survivors.

He will officially be launched onto the Adoption Scheme with a special party on Good Friday, 30^th March at Redwings Aylsham from 11.30am. Visitors will have the chance to meet Cookie during a parade and watch him enjoy a special cake! 

You can adopt Cookie for just £15 a year and every penny will go towards his care and that of his fellow rescued friends. Adopters will receive a beautiful pack containing his story, photograph, a certificate and a friendship card, as well as an invitation to Cookie’s birthday party later in the year and access to his online multi-media diary full of stories and photographs from his life at the Sanctuary.

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Cookie being lead to safety at Spindle Farm, Amersham

Over 100 horses, ponies and donkeys were saved from unthinkable neglect uncovered at Spindle Farm in January 2008. The animals were discovered living in horrifying conditions with barely any food, water or basic vet care. Sadly the bodies of over 30 horses and donkeys, who had succumbed to illness or injury before their plight was uncovered, laid around them.

Redwings played an instrumental role in bringing the stricken equines to safety and, over the years, offered 60 horses and donkeys from the rescue - including Cookie - a safe forever home at the Sanctuary, as well as six foals born to rescued mares.

Thanks to the dedication of our vets and care teams, an incredible 58 survivors are still enjoying happy and healthy lives today, either within the Sanctuary or in loving Guardian homes.

Cookie’s introduction to the Adoption Scheme is one of a series of activities and events we're planning this year to mark the rescue’s landmark anniversary and to help raise funds towards the care of the survivors for the next decade.

Lynn Cutress, Chief Executive, said: “We’re delighted to announce Cookie as our latest Adoption Star in this incredibly special year for Redwings. Despite his terrifying past ordeal, Cookie is such a friendly chap with a big heart, which makes him not just the perfect candidate for our Adoption Scheme, but also a wonderful symbol of an animal’s ability to forgive and love again.

“While his new Adoption Star status celebrates his own triumph over adversity, his introduction pays tribute to all of our inspiring Amersham survivors and the tireless work our teams have put into caring for these gorgeous horses and donkeys over the past 10 years.

“I’m sure our supporters won’t be able to stop themselves falling in love with Cookie, just like we all have, and I’m so pleased even more people will have the chance to get to know this very special pony.”