Centenary Year 2009

The League was founded by Francis Cox, who was moved by the condition of pit ponies which he witnessed being brought to surface after a long period of work underground. He was shocked by the way that pit ponies and other working animals could be treated, often worked to an early death in appalling conditions, and formed the League to campaign for legislation to protect them.

There were the early successes - legislation to limit working hours for pit ponies and improve their welfare and the appointment of inspectors to enforce these rules. In the 1920's, Carlisle Animals' Friends merged with the League, and its work expanded to help dogs, cats and other animals. The League operated a pit pony retirement home, and we still have two old deep-mine ponies in our care. Gypsy and Scout are both  well into their thirties, and are enjoying a life of leisure. Now based just outside Carlisle, the League operates The Animals' Refuge, a welfare centre which serves as a retirement home for horses, ponies, donkeys, cattle and sheep, and as a rehoming centre for dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets and other small pets.

2009 is the Centenary year for the League and we will be celebrating throughout the year. Details of events will follow soon.

The National Equine (and Smaller Animals) Defence League
Registered Charity Number 280700