Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary has been in existence since the 1950’s. We started by helping donkeys and other equines. However it wasn’t long before we were asked for help with all the other animal groups. We therefore developed into a rescue centre and sanctuary with four distinct sections. These are the original Stable Section plus Dog Section, Cat Section and Farm Section. The Farm section is a catchall for any animal that is not a dog, cat or equine. We therefore have the normal farm animals plus rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs and other animals from time to time.

Our philosophy is that every animal deserves a chance of a good life in a happy home. Therefore we do not put animals to sleep for any other reason than the welfare of the animal and or the staff. With all our small animals our first and most pressing objective is to make the animal well and then rehome it. As with any rescue organisation we find that there are a very small proportion of animals that, for one reason or another, are unsuitable for rehoming to a domestic situation. For this small number of animals we apply a formula to determine what we should do. If the animal is happy, healthy and the staff are safe it can live out its days here with us. For this purpose we have ‘Oldies’ facilities on both the cat and dog sections. Before being rehomed our cats and dogs are deflead, dewormed, vaccinated, neutered and micro chipped. For cats this includes them being vaccinated for leukaemia.

We are very particular about the homes that we accept for our animals. For instance we do not put rescue animals with children under the age of five and we are very careful to ensure that dogs are not left alone for long periods plus other considerations. This gives us the best possible chance of the new home being a ‘forever home’. Today in the first decade of the 21st century we do things very differently to our predecessors. This is not in any way a condemnation of previous policies. Policies are led by a variety of situations. Perhaps the most significant is funding, today Bleakholt costs a little over £1,000,000 per year and as we do more for the animals will probably rise. The other main issue is that medical and welfare knowledge is improving at an astonishing rate. There are procedures available for animals now that weren’t even available for people until fairly recently. So far we have never denied an animal medical treatment despite the cost. We aim to be able to continue this policy, and will do so as long as our supporters continue to support us financially. The site at Bleakholt is more than just a rescue and a sanctuary. It is also somewhere that individuals and families can visit and enjoy. At the weekends we have a busy visitor centre and café plus Bleakholt Shop that sells animal requisites and collectibles. Under certain circumstances the public can walk some of our dogs.