Kelowna animal sanctuary selling property after suffering from COVID-19 hit

A Central Okanagan animal sanctuary is in need of a new home after losing more than 50 per cent of its revenue this summer due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Arion Therapeutic Farm, located at 2457 Saucier Rd., Kelowna, announced in a statement published Aug. 3, that the farm has experienced a revenue loss of 54 per cent compared to the same time last year.

“Summer is usually our opportunity to earn income to help us ride the typically slow winter months. At this time there are only a handful of weekly therapeutic clients (compared to 50), a few regular volunteers and far less tour visits than we would have hoped. Various efforts to raise income through other means is met with ongoing bylaw restrictions and/or insurance increases. We have hired numerous business professionals and experts in marketing but to no avail,” founders Heather and Chris Henderson said in the statement.

They expect this trend to continue.

The farm was established in 2009 as a therapeutic riding facility, which evolved over time into a sanctuary open to the public, according to the farm’s website.

The owners will be selling the farm property and moving the sanctuary to a new location, according to the statement.

Heather and Chris Henderson declined to comment at this time.

— This story was updated at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, 2020 to include a no comment from the founders of Arion Therapeutic Farm.

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