For over 40 years Gorgie Farm played a huge part in not only the Gorgie-Dalry community itself, but throughout Edinburgh and beyond. Encompassing roughly 2.5 acres right in the heart of the City, Gorgie Farm housed over 100 animals, from sheep, goats and alpacas to a wide range of small animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets and exotics. The vast majority of these animals came to the farm as rescues, meaning many of them required extra care and attention from the dedicated staff and volunteers. These volunteers, from a wide range of ages and backgrounds, numbered over 100 per year, with a waiting list of almost 300. Many of them had additional support needs and benefited immeasurably from their time spent at Gorgie Farm.

The farm was forced to close due to funding issues in January 2023, devastating the staff, volunteers and regular visitors from the local community, all of whom had a special place in their heart for the animals, beautiful green space and the community spirit the farm engendered. Since the closure of the farm I can’t count the number of visitors who have shared with me their memories of visiting throughout their lives, all of whom were deeply saddened to hear future generations will not have the same opportunity they did themselves.

With the recent closure of the farm, all of the animals once resident have since been re-homed. The larger animals and poultry are currently being temporarily fostered by various local zoos and farms, with the hope that those who are safe to do so will return as soon as the farm reopens its doors. The smaller animals, however, are being housed by several of the staff and volunteers, previously working at Gorgie Farm prior to its closure. Many of these animals are exotic or require ongoing veterinary treatment, so have placed particular financial pressure on those looking after them, many of whom have of course recently lost their jobs. This has left those housing animals in a very difficult position, with no income to provide for the animals they have generously offered to care for. The animals mean so much to the staff and volunteers caring for them, who are determined to maintain a high standard of care, with diet, enrichment and medical treatment being top priorities.

In order to continue this care, and ultimately ensure the animals are happy and healthy until their hopeful return to Gorgie Farm, those looking after them are asking for your help to go at least some way towards funding the care the animals deserve. This will not only allow the animals to be kept in homes where we can ensure their eventual return to the farm, but also help ease the burden on the already struggling ex-staff members. Even the smallest contribution will help, be it £1 for a bag of sawdust bedding, £3 for a cosy blanket or £5 for a bag of food or toys for enrichment. Absolutely anything you can provide will be going directly to funding the animals’ care and will be a great help. Larger contributions are especially helpful to assist in funding veterinary treatments and more specialised food and care, as such I am more than happy to provide details and photos of animals that have been helped by your contributions. A link to a Tik Tok page showing the small animals in their temporary foster homes, will be attached in the next few days.

My name is Chloe Hogg and I am one of the previously mentioned staff having not only lost their job but also now caring for several of the smaller animals. I worked at Gorgie Farm for over 2 years prior to its closure, and volunteered for a further 10 years before being employed in January 2021. Having spent so many years caring for these animals, creating unbreakable bonds between us, there was no way that we could have risked them going to homes from which they would not return to the farm. I’m personally housing 5 chinchillas, which must be split across 3 cages due to age and gender, as well as 3 leopard geckos requiring 24hr heat mat and a fancy goldfish. I represent the group of staff and volunteers currently housing the small animals who we wish to return to their home in the heart of the City.

All contributions will be distributed amongst this group with a priority given to those animals most in need. A big thank you to everyone who supports the farm and its animals, both of which we know you love as much as we do.