Animal sanctuary stalwart death a loss to 'all creatures, great and small'
Tributes have been paid to the founder of Selby’s Animal Santuary who died last week, aged 94.
Selby
Joan Scott devoted her life to caring for all creatures, great and small, that found themselves in need of her help.
In 1992, shortly after the death of her beloved husband, Tommy, she founded the Selby Animal Sanctuary in Scam Lane, Hambleton.
Such was her passion for the animals she sold her home to help fund the centre where she would regularly take care of a wide variety of animals from pigs and owls to donkeys and ducks. It was hedgehogs she had a particular fondness for though and had kept an albino hedgehog, which she treasured.
Joan's tireless work for her collection of needy animals earned her the Medal of the British Empire and in 2005 she was crowned Selby Citizen of the Year after a poll by readers of the old Selby Times.
Her animal sanctuary was unfortunately forced into closure a couple of years ago owing to lack of funds. This was a sad time for Joan and also the staff who had worked with her for many years.
Annette Pyrah of Selby Wildlife Rescue met Joan through her work and shared love of animals. Paying tribute to Joan, she said, “I was very sad to hear the news that Joan Scott, founder of Selby Animal Sanctuary has died.
“Many Selby people will have known Joan or taken animals to her. She was a bit of a character and will be greatly missed by ‘all creatures great and small’, which was her motto.”
Joan died in Meadow Lodge Nursing Home in Kellington on April 19th. Her funeral will take place at 15:30 on Thursday, May 1st at Hambleton Church.