The Newfoundland Pony Society’s Change Islands sanctuary is facing financial troubles following an unusually slow tourist season, and owner Netta LeDrew says that’s to do with poor ferry service for the region this summer. (Submitted by Vanessa Cantwell)

The Newfoundland Pony Society says it’s facing an uncertain financial future at its sanctuary on Change Islands after a severe drop in tourist visits. The owner says disruptions to ferry service are to blame.

The sanctuary, which houses eight ponies, doesn’t charge admission. Owner Netta LeDrew said it relies heavily on donations and merchandise to help make money.

This year, however, an unusually slow season has left them scrambling.

“It was over $11,000 for hay last year alone. Plus another $1,200 for grain, and then you wants $200 to $300 a month for January, February and March for the hydro bill,” LeDrew told CBC News on Monday.

“We’ll just take one day at a time.… So long as the ponies are cared for.”

LeDrew said the number of visitors fell from around 250 people in July 2023 to just 50 people over the same period this year.

She says problems with the MV Veteran, the provincial ferry that serves Change Islands and Fogo Island, are largely to blame for the drop in visits.

“It was because of the ferry in July. It was disgusting. I mean [with] show she ran, there was days she didn’t go. And then you didn’t know if she was going to go,” LeDrew said.

“I had a couple show up to the barn, they were in Farewell waiting for five hours. Now they wouldn’t have come over, only they were booked in here at a B&B for a couple of nights. But they told me that particular morning, there was two or three just pulled out and left and went on back.”

The Veteran returned to service this summer after months of being on dry dock, but mechanical issues affected service over the summer. The boat is also expected to be taken out of service again for another round of repairs in the fall to replace an engine.

CBC News heard similar concerns in July when businesses in the Placentia area expressed fears over what mechanical issues with the Marine Atlantic vessel, the Ala’suinu, would do to their tourism seasons.

In a statement, Transportation and Infrastructure Department spokesperson Maria Browne said the provincial government recognizes the importance of the Fogo Island and Change Islands ferries but mechanical issues can happen and disruptions in any transportation service are common.

“It is an unfortunate reality that we sometimes experience mechanical issues; however, marine services staff quickly respond in these situations and work hard to remediate the issue,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, LeDrew said there are other concerns as expenses build up heading into the winter.

She said the society was told federal funding that allows the sanctuary to hire staff will also be cut in September.

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