‘Truly special’ Mirfield animal sanctuary praised by MP
An animal sanctuary in Mirfield has been praised for being a “truly special place” by the MP for Spen Valley, Kim Leadbeater.
The MP visited the dedicated volunteers behind Elijah’s Animal Sanctuary in Mirfield, a local charity that provides a safe, loving home for animals with nowhere else to go.
Founders Sean and Becca set up the sanctuary as a volunteer-run safe haven for animals who cannot be rehomed due to age, health, or behavioural issues.
Named in memory of the founders’ son, Elijah, who was sadly born sleeping, the sanctuary is his lasting legacy – a space filled with compassion and care.
The sanctuary has welcomed 125 animals through its doors and currently provides a loving home to 68 animals who need lifelong care. These include animals who have been mistreated, neglected, or are elderly, ensuring they can live out their lives in safety and comfort.
Run entirely by a small team of dedicated volunteers, Elijah’s Animal Sanctuary continues to grow and is now fundraising to move to larger premises to meet increasing demand.
During the visit, Kim met the volunteers and spent time with many of the animals being cared for at the sanctuary.
Kim said: “Elijah’s Animal Sanctuary is a truly special place. It was clear how well cared for the animals are, and how much love goes into everything the team does.
“The way Sean and Becca have turned their personal loss into something so special is inspirational.
“I wish them every success in securing the funding they need to expand and continue their fantastic work.”
Kim also donated £200 to Elijah’s Animal Sanctuary for her charity of the month.
Sean said: “It was a real pleasure to welcome Kim to the sanctuary and for our team to share the work we do together every day. Being able to introduce her to some of the animals and share their stories helped highlight why this work matters so much.
“We were also grateful for the opportunity to talk through our plans for the future and we’re thrilled to have her support as we look to expand and continue our work.”
Elijah’s Animal Sanctuary relies entirely on donations and volunteer support to continue its work. Anyone interested in supporting the charity, or finding out more, can visit: https://links.elijahs.org.uk