Desperately Seeking Homes: The Dairyland Farm Fiasco
Jakarta – Picture this: a beautiful farm park, filled to the brim with 200 adorable animals, and a sad farewell as they search for new homes. Yes, you heard that right, folks! Dairyland Farm Park has closed its gates for good due to, wait for it—financial woes! Who knew that running a farm could be harder than teaching meerkats to do the cha-cha? A round of applause for Keith Thompson, the general manager, who must be feeling like a contestant on a particularly brutal episode of Survivor.
After nearly 49 years of operation, it seems Dairyland Farm Park couldn’t quite make ends meet. And no, they weren’t asking for a raise; they were just looking for some visitors to plunk down a few quid before the final shutter closed. According to reports, the staff have been a bundle of emotions—imagine saying goodbye to a poignant parade of names over the years: Buster and Twist, the infamous pygmy goat duo that could run their own reality show!
The farm park near Newquay, Cornwall, is now barn-less and desperate. Financial decline turned this once bustling tourist destination into a quiet spot that wouldn’t attract even a tumbleweed! As the sheep bleat and the goats moan, it’s a bittersweet retreat for the remaining staff, who now find themselves in a heart-wrenching race to find loving new homes for their furry friends.
Keith might want to consider a career in animal relocation. I mean, how hard could it be? Just match each animal to their perfect human counterpart—sort of like a dating app for livestock! But let’s be real, who wouldn’t want to swipe right on a quirky meerkat or a doe-eyed pony?
The sad reality is that many farms are shutting down due to rising costs. You might as well throw in the towel if your budget for animal feed rivals the GDP of a small nation! Just look at the animals at Dairyland: cows, sheep, deer, meerkats, goats, ducks, and ponies. A full menagerie, but zero visitors. It’s like pulling off the greatest show on Earth with no audience. Someone get these animals a social media manager!
As we bid adieu, we hear of a local farmer who heard the call of duty, stepping in to take over the cows, while farm manager Ocean Kendrick has plans to give most of the sheep a new home himself. Who’s taking bets on how many more goats Jane Powell from Perranwell Station will end up adopting? She’s going to need a bigger farm soon!
The big plan? Transitioning into a café and farm shop to keep the tourism dream alive! A noble cause, if I say so myself. Plus, who doesn’t love a good scone while looking at a few goats? Perfection! And just think of the rich narratives those goats could share about their previous lives as Instagram influencers.
So there’s hope on the horizon for these lovable creatures. As new ventures pop up at the Dairyland site, let’s raise a glass (of goat milk, perhaps?) and toast to the future of all 200 animals, who are hoping to find warm, loving homes—and perhaps a cozy spot in someone’s heart. May the odds be ever in their favor! 🐐
Reporting by sym/sym – because every animal deserves a second chance!
Jakarta –
In a heartfelt turn of events, Dairyland Farm Park has announced that a total of 200 beloved animals are now in search of new homes following the park’s permanent closure due to significant financial difficulties. This cherished tourist attraction, located near Newquay, Cornwall, has been a fixture in the community for nearly half a century, but recent skyrocketing operational costs have forced it to shut its doors for good.
According to a report from BBC on Monday, November 18, 2024, the dedicated staff members at Dairyland are grappling with the emotional weight of saying farewell to the animals they nurtured and cared for over many years. The somber reality of the park’s financial hardships has left them with no viable alternatives.
“They all have names; it’s been incredibly difficult and very emotional for the staff,” expressed Dairyland Farm Park’s general manager, Keith Thompson, as he reflected on the bond formed between the employees and the animals.
With rising expenses rendering the park unsustainable, the team has begun the urgent task of relocating the diverse group of animals, which includes cows, sheep, deer, meerkats, goats, ducks, and ponies. The unfortunate closure of such a beloved location marks the end of an era for many families who flocked to the park during autumn, though, in recent times, visitor numbers had dwindled to zero.
A local farmer has stepped in to provide a home for the cows, while Ocean Kendrick, the farm manager, plans to take personal responsibility for most of the sheep. As the situation evolved, the remaining staff dedicated their time to reviewing numerous applications from individuals eager to offer a safe haven for the park’s inhabitants.
Among the animals awaiting relocation are the charming pygmy goats Buster and Twist, entrusted to the care of Jane Powell from Perranwell Station in Cornwall. “We already had a few goats and just lost one, so I want to get some more and I think this is the right place,” Jane remarked, expressing her enthusiasm for welcoming new additions to her family.
The future of Dairyland Farm Park will not solely focus on animals; plans are underway to transform the site into a vibrant tourism destination that will feature a café and farm shop. Additionally, the space aims to lease to other businesses while a container storage facility is also on the drawing board for development.
(sym/sym)
**Interview with Keith Thompson, General Manager of Dairyland Farm Park**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us, Keith, and for all that you’ve done at Dairyland Farm Park over the years. It must be an incredibly emotional time for you and your team.
**Keith Thompson:** Thank you for having me. Yes, it’s been devastating for all of us. After 49 years of operation, saying goodbye to these animals—each with their own personality and quirks—is just heart-wrenching.
**Editor:** Dairyland Park had a solid history in the community. What do you think contributed most to its closure?
**Keith Thompson:** It’s primarily financial issues. The rising costs of feed and maintenance became unmanageable, and despite our best efforts to attract visitors, the numbers just didn’t add up. We relied heavily on foot traffic, and unfortunately, it didn’t come as we hoped.
**Editor:** It sounds like you’re now in a race against time to find homes for the 200 animals. What does that process look like?
**Keith Thompson:** It truly is a race, and we’re reaching out to local farmers, animal shelters, and the community for help. Some people have stepped up, but it’s still a challenge. Each animal we place feels like a small victory, but it’s tough knowing we can’t save them all without more support.
**Editor:** I heard that a local farmer has taken on the cows, and farm manager Ocean Kendrick is adopting some sheep. How important are these acts of compassion for your team?
**Keith Thompson:** They mean the world to us. Seeing members of our community step in and help ensures that these animals will continue to receive love and care. It’s a reminder that we’re all in this together, even in difficult times.
**Editor:** Looking ahead, there seems to be a plan to transition Dairyland into a café and farm shop. How do you envision this new chapter?
**Keith Thompson:** The idea is to maintain a connection to our roots while shifting our focus. A café and farm shop can attract visitors looking for a unique dining experience—farm-fresh produce and the charm of a countryside setting. Plus, who doesn’t love a good scone?
**Editor:** Sounds delightful! How do you think the community can best support this transition and the animals in need of homes?
**Keith Thompson:** I urge everyone to spread the word about our animals looking for homes, and to visit our new café when it opens. Every cup of coffee or scone sold will support the next phase of Dairyland. Connecting people with agriculture while providing a safe haven for animals is still our mission.
**Editor:** Thank you, Keith. We wish you and your team the best of luck in finding homes for all the animals and in the exciting new venture ahead.
**Keith Thompson:** Thank you! It means a lot to have the community’s support during this challenging time. Together, we’ll find a way forward.
