BY ALLISON LEE
Lately, my social media feeds seem increasingly filled with fundraising posts. While I fully appreciate that charities depend on donations—and that, as cash disappears from daily life, traditional collection methods are dwindling—I can’t help but feel uneasy about the sheer volume of personal online appeals. I wonder if this approach is becoming too normalised, and whether it might sometimes channel money to the wrong causes or people.
As a smallholder who keeps animals for pleasure, not profit, I know exactly how expensive they are. The cost of hay, straw, and feed keeps rising, worsened by droughts like that of 2025. But I made a conscious decision to bring animals into my life—I planned, prepared, and accepted the ongoing costs. While I’ve been fortunate with my own health and have a supportive husband, I’ve also weathered storms, accidents, and sick animals. Never have I been tempted to post my troubles online hoping strangers would pay to solve them.
When you own an animal, you must be prepared for all eventualities, including illness and accident. Responsible ownership means accounting for vet bills. It bothers me, then, to see tearful posts describing a “beloved” pet’s expensive diagnosis, with the expectation that the public will foot the bill.
We are a nation of animal lovers, and sad stories tug at our heartstrings. As the owner of four dogs and various smallholding animals, it breaks my heart to think of any creature suffering—but it also angers me when owners expect others to pay for their choices.
The same trend appears after storms or floods: equestrians and smallholders crowdfunding for fence repairs, new stables, or hay money. It makes me cynical. Would you donate to someone wanting a kitchen upgrade, a new car, or a holiday? Of course not. So why do we subsidise people who took on animals but won’t shoulder the costs when times get hard?
Storms cause real devastation. I’ve had field shelters overturned and fencing destroyed. Yet I would never ask strangers to rebuild my holding. Some things aren’t easily insurable, but maintenance, upkeep, and storm recovery shouldn’t be funded by the public simply because they follow someone online.
Let me be clear: I fully support registered animal sanctuaries and charities that rely on crowdfunding. What saddens me is seeing individuals use similar tactics to subsidise a chosen lifestyle. I find it unsettling how readily people send money to strangers based on a social media story.
This is just my personal view, and I know not everyone will agree. But for the sake of genuine charities and those truly in need, I urge everyone to think carefully before asking the public to “dig deep.” Ask yourself: is this really a cause for others to fund?
Let’s keep fundraising for the animal charities that genuinely rescue and care for creatures no one else will help. And let those who choose to own a horse pay for its fencing and stabling—that, after all, is what responsible ownership means.
Allison Lee is a smallholder from North Yorkshire who has written for the Yorkshire Times and other publications. Her website can be accessed here.