Our charity giving...
A small round up of our charity support between October and December 2024...
Now that 2025 has arrived, we wanted to reflect on the animal welfare charities we’ve supported throughout the final few months of 2024.
Unfortunately, the cost-of-living crisis is still having a devastating impact on many animal charities, as they struggle to stay afloat in a sea of rising bills. From raptors to rhinos, we’ve helped hardworking charities rewrite the stories of animals in their care, by supporting them through this uncertain chapter.
Read on, to discover the difference we’ve been able to make together over the last few months, thanks to the wonderful pets we protect - or skip to the relevant section:
Suffolk Owl Sanctuary
Based near Stowmarket, Suffolk Owl Sanctuary operates one of the only raptor hospitals in East Anglia. The charity treats and cares for injured owls and other birds of prey, with a view to releasing those birds following vet-led rehabilitation programmes.
As part of their rehabilitation, birds of prey need to exercise to build up their fitness. To help improve the fitness levels of birds of prey, Suffolk Owl Sanctuary needed to build ‘hack pens’ – which are specialist aviaries in isolated settings that mimic the natural environment. These purpose-built hack pens prepare birds of prey for a safe return to the wild.
We donated £5,000 to Suffolk Owl Sanctuary to cover the costs of building a new hack pen that will cater to the larger birds in their care.
Here’s what the charity had to say:
“On behalf of everyone at Suffolk Owl Sanctuary, I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks for your generous donation. Your support plays a vital role in helping us build a new Hack Pen, which will provide a safe and nurturing environment for our rescued owls and larger birds of prey.
The Hack Pen will allow us to rehabilitate these magnificent birds more effectively and prepare them for their return to the wild. Your contribution not only helps with the construction of this essential facility but also supports our ongoing mission to protect and care for owls and Birds of Prey in need.
We are deeply grateful for your belief in our work and commitment to wildlife conservation.”
Mansfield Cat Rescue
Mansfield Cat Rescue is a small, volunteer-led charity based in Nottinghamshire. Since the charity doesn’t have a centre, the rescue’s 140+ cats are in foster care with dedicated volunteers.
In November, the charity informed us that in just one month, they’d had four vet referrals for poorly cats who needed leg amputations costing around £2,000 per operation. Additionally, the costs of special diets for many cats in their care was another consideration, as the charity prepares for the inevitable influx of cases during the festive season.
So, we donated £5,000 to Mansfield Cat Rescue, to support the charity’s lifesaving efforts ahead of an extremely busy winter, when cats need their help more than ever.
“This is absolutely wonderful, thank you so much it will make a huge impact on our ability to cope over the next few months.”
Bristol Animal Rescue Centre
Founded in 1887, Bristol Animal Rescue Centre (also known as ‘Bristol A.R.C.’) is the oldest animal rescue centre in Bristol. The charity has been a lifeline for stray, abandoned, and neglected animals in their community for over 135 years. However, Bristol A.R.C. has seen a huge 24% increase in animals needing their care, with many cases requiring complex medical attention.
Just one example of a case requiring intensive veterinary care was for Collette, a French bulldog, whose nostril widening, palate shortening, and knee surgery cost approximately £4,000.
This is what the charity had so say about our £3,000 donation to Bristol Animal Rescue Centre:
“This is amazing news, thank you so much for this amazing contribution.
We are incredibly grateful for this extremely generous donation that will have a tremendous impact on our work here at Bristol A.R.C.
This project for high medical needs dogs has been a massive worry for the rescue centre with the growing number of dogs coming to the centre that are requiring significant surgeries, and consequently I can’t express how relieved and pleased the team will be.”
Helping Rhinos
Zululand Rhino Orphanage (ZRO) is the only dedicated regional rhino orphanage in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa – offering a beacon of hope amidst the worsening rhino poaching crisis. The centre is operated by a dedicated team, who provide critical 24-hour care to rhino and hippo orphans.
Sadly, the surge in poaching has led to an increase in orphaned rhinos arriving at ZRO, with many needing intensive care following their traumatic experiences. So, the charity requested support to upgrade the fencing in their intensive care unit, to keep rhinos safe. The improved fencing will minimise stress and exposure to external threats, as well as protecting blind, orphaned rhino calf, Lazula, who sometimes runs into the fence.
We covered the cost of constructing the new fence, by donating £3,300 to Zululand Rhino Orphanage, who said:
“Your support plays a pivotal role in our efforts to protect rhinos and their habitats. With your funding, we can continue critical initiatives such as, caring for orphaned rhinos like Lazula at our partner sanctuaries.
The impact of your generosity will be felt by rhinos and the ecosystems they support, as well as by the communities who live alongside them.
Thank you again for your trust and commitment to our cause. We look forward to keeping you updated on the incredible work your gift is making possible.”
A Wildly Different Xmas ‘Tail’
To discover some of the other ways we’ve made a difference in 2024, check out A Wildly Different Xmas Tail…
The festive season can be challenging for lots of animal charities. So, since every animal deserves their very own “happy ever after”, we wanted to transform tails of hardship into stories of hope, love, and second chances.
A Wildly Different Xmas Tail gave you, our amazing supporters, the opportunity to vote for extraordinary charities to win a share of our £100,000 donation. Through our Christmas campaign, you helped write a positive next chapter for animals of:
- Wolfie’s Legacy – rehabilitating and rehoming dogs who have disabilities.
- Forgotten Felines – turning hisses into kisses by rehoming ‘unhomeable’ cats.
- Refuge4Pets – a pet fostering service for victims of domestic abuse.
- Blind Dog Rescue UK – rescuing blind and partially sighted dogs.
- Retraining of Racehorses – helping retired racehorses find loving homes.
Votes have been counted. Here’s how the £100,000 donation was shared between these five incredible charities:
*…Drum roll, please…*
- Forgotten Felines received a £10,000 donation.
- Blind Dogs Rescue UK received a £10,000 donation.
- Refuge 4 Pets received a £10,000 donation.
- Wolfie’s Legacy received the £20,000 donation.
- Last but not least, Retraining of Racehorses received the £50,000 donation!
A big thank you for voting and giving animals in need a happier ‘tail’ to tell for the 2024 festive season!
To find out about our latest donations, animal welfare Bills, and help us support hardworking animal charities, follow us on TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram.
If you know of an animal welfare or conservation charity in need of support, please reach out to us via our Apply for Funding page or email charity@animalfriends.co.uk.