ANIMAL lovers are being invited to help with the costs of caring for six ponies found abandoned in a field at Crowton.

Four of the ponies are in the care of Macclesfield-based animal rescue centre Angel’s Rescue, which hopes to rescue the remaining two this week.

The ponies were spotted in a farmer’s field by Kerry Wilkinson from Altrincham.

In the field there was an Abandonment Notice, under the terms of which the person detaining the ponies could retain ownership of them or see they are re-homed, sold or humanely destroyed.

After contacting the farmer who owned the field Kerry, whose partner lives in Northwich, called the rescue centre, which came out and transported four of the ponies to its premises.

Kerry said she could not believe someone had abandoned the ponies.

“I love animals, and could not have walked past them without seeing if I could help,” she said.

“I called the farmer, who said the ponies had been abandoned on his field and were eating all his grass.

“I asked about the possibility of a charity taking the ponies, and contacted Angel’s Rescue, who said they would see what they could do.”

The charity receives no Government funding and relies on public donations, and has launched an online appeal to pay for vets and farrier fees, passports and transport.

It has set up a gofundme page – www.gofundme.com/666vj4s - in a bid to raise the £3,000 needed, with the appeal total standing at £300.

“We’re a registered charity but are struggling for funds,” said Angela Leach, who organises the charity’s volunteers.

“We are trying to raise much-needed funds for the ponies, which have been abandoned and no-one has claimed.

“We managed to catch four of them and transport them back to our yard, and will be trying to get the other two this week. The aim is to re-home them, although it can take a while.

“We need funds for vets’ fees, including doing the passports, farrier fees and transport.

“We need the funds as soon as possible as we have only a few weeks to get them off the field, and would be grateful for anything people can give.

“Thank you so much to the people who have donated - we cannot do without your kindness and generosity.”

The charity can be contacted on 01625 421467, and visit its facebook page for more details.

It is seeking help to transport the remaining ponies to Macclesfield.