Because every story deserves a happy ending
From rescue to rehome
How you can help
We rely on the kindness and generousity of the general public for the majority of income to support our objectives, and as a non-profit all of our funds go directly towards front line animal welfare.
We appreciate that the cost of living crisis has hit everybody, but it has also resulted in more people abandoning their pets, or being unable to afford population prevention measures such as neutering.
A small monthly donation not only goes directly towards animal care, but it also gives us visibility of future finances so that we can plan how many lives we can save.
If you want to help our mission, then you can donate here
Without our volunteers so many animals would lack socialisation, human care, and the normality they need to find their forever home.
At Woodlands we have roles to suit everyone - from cuddling cats to sweeping stables to helping sort donations at our community hub.
Volunteering helps to build skills, develop friendships and provide purpose - all with the benefit of saving lives of animals in need of help. If this sounds like something you'd like to do then get in touch.
By including an Woodlands in your will, you create a lasting impact for rescues who need protection.
Your gift allows us to provide essential resources for vulnerable, abused, and neglected animals - shelter, care, and the chance to find loving families.
This practical support helps us to continue our vital work, saving more lives and reducing animal suffering. Your legacy becomes a meaningful contribution that extends your values of compassion and care long after you're gone.
How much and how you want to leave your legacy towards preventing animal suffering and giving them a second chance at happiness is entirely yours to choose.
We have packages to suit all animal lovers and budgets, and they can be gifted as presents for the animal lover in your life.
Benefits include quarterly newsletters, exclusive website access with photos and videos, discounts up to 20% on events and experiences, free entry to sponsors' Tea and Tour day with photo opportunities with your favorite animal, plus a personalized sponsorship pack and certificate.
Your generosity directly improves the lives of our animals so why not sponsor our sanctuary residents and rescues today?
Your compassion for our cause can create ripples of change.
By sharing our mission with friends, family and colleagues, you multiply our impact exponentially.
When you champion our cause, each conversation plants a seed—inspiring others to volunteer, donate, or become advocates themselves. Your workplace might match donations or sponsor an animal pen.
Your social circles could organize fundraisers or adoption events. One voice becomes many, one supporter becomes a community, and together we transform hundreds more animal lives than any of us could alone.
You can learn more about corporate fundraising or download our fundraising ideas pack for more guidance.
Help to save lives like these...
Pip
Age: 5 & 1/2 years
Breed: Black & White Shorthair
Pip is accustomed to a calmer environment where she can take her time to feel secure. She's naturally timid and takes a while to warm up, but those who've known her understand that beneath that cautious exterior lies a genuinely loyal and affectionate companion.
Learn more about Pip
Ursula
Age: 2 years
Breed: Black & White Shorthair
Ursula was discovered in a garden where she'd been living rough and had given birth to three kittens under a shed. Now that her maternal duties are winding down, Ursula is ready to discover what being someone's cherished companion feels like – something she's clearly been missing.
Learn more about Ursula
Nancy
Age: 2 years 7 months
Breed: Blue Tortie
Nancy came to us with four tiny kittens when an unplanned litter made life impossible for her family. This beautiful 2-year-7-month-old blue tortie has been an exemplary mother, but now it's time for her own happy ending. Sweet-natured and playful, she loves a fuss and is ready to be someone's treasured companion.
Learn more about Nancy
Queenbee's kittens (reserved)
Age: 3 months
Breed: Tabby
These two adorable 3-month-old kittens came to us with their mum when their owner's declining health made care impossible. Having spent their short lives together, they've formed an unbreakable bond and are each other's playmate and constant companion. Beautifully socialised and loving, they need to stay together and are ready for double the mischief and double the affection.
Learn more about them
Kacey
Age: 1 year
Breed: Dark Tortoiseshell
Now that her maternal duties are winding down, Kacey is ready to focus on being a young cat again. She's got that lovely tortie personality – spirited and engaging – and deserves the chance to enjoy life without the responsibilities of motherhood weighing on her shoulders.
Learn more about Kacey
Ursula's kitten (reserved)
Age: 3 months
Breed: Black / White Shorthair
This beautiful 12-week-old black and white kitten was found in a garden with her mum and two littermates. With sweet-natured Ursula as her devoted parent, this playful youngster has been perfectly raised and shows all the confidence needed for family life. While her littermates have found homes, this lovely girl is still waiting for her special family.
Learn more about Ursulas kitten
Esmie & Roxie
These devoted sisters have weathered life's challenges together and their bond has been their strength.
Initially shy and cautious with new people (hardly surprising given their start in life), both girls reveal wonderfully sweet natures once they feel secure. They're the sort of cats who need time to trust, but when they do, their gentle characters truly shine through.
Learn more about Esmie & RoxieWillow
Age: 5 years
Breed: Grey / White Shorthair
Willow came to us when her owner passed away. This 5-year-4-month-old grey and white girl has a sassy nature and very clear ideas about how life should be lived. She operates entirely on her own terms and needs an outdoor home away from busy roads where she can simply be left to be a cat.
Learn more about Willow
Recent Rescues - Updates
Nancy
When she was admitted to Woodlands Nancy was extremely nervous and scared; refusing to engage with our care staff, or eat.
We catch up with how Nancy and her litter are doing one week on, to see the difference your support helps to make.
Jezabelle
Within a week of being with us this first time mum soon went into labour in the early hours of the morning; giving birth to a litter of 6.
We catch up with Jezabbele and her brood to find out how this new family are getting on.
We connect animal welfare with human & community welfare
Upcoming Events at Woodlands
Every Wednesday
Summer Holiday Club
For just £25 your child comes to the sanctuary for a day and learns about a variety of animals including horses goats, donkeys, birds, cats and more!
As well as learning about our animals the children will be able to get hands on experience of life as an animal carer as they join in helping to feed, groom, entertain, and clean our wide variety of friendly characters here at Woodlands.Book your tickets now!
Saturdays 10am-2pm
Children's Birthday Parties
We are delighted to announce that we now host birthday parties for groups of children aged 3-10 years old, each Saturday between 10am-12pm.
Learn More...
Throughout the Year
Tea & Tours
We are proud to bring back our popular Tea & Tours for 2024!
Your hour and a half visit will include a full tour of the sanctuary, learning all about what we do and meeting the animals in our care. The tour is then rounded off with a spot of tea and a slice of cake (and even a homemade scone!) and all dietary requirements can be catered for.
Book your tickets now!
More ways to help animals in need
Help to save more animals like these
Merlin's Story: Small Horse, Big Impact
Merlin, a 34-inch black horse, came to us in 2012, saving him from inevitable slaughter. His journey from nervous newcomer to community ambassador—even starring in our successful BBC Breakfast appeal—showcases our effective approach to animal welfare.
At Woodlands, we provide comprehensive rescue, rehabilitation, and lifelong care. Each day, we deliver nutrition, shelter, and veterinary treatment to numerous animals in need.
Merlin represents just one success story among many. Your donation directly funds animal care, expands our rescue capacity, and sustains our educational programs. Help us extend this proven impact to more animals in need today.
Sibling Survivors: Fred & Wilma
Abandoned in a local factory in 2024, Fred and Wilma were discovered covered in grease and dirt, severely underweight and malnourished. After their mother left them, these kittens survived on minimal sustenance and were found on the brink of death.
At Woodlands Animal Sanctuary, they received intensive care—thorough cleaning followed by a carefully monitored feeding program of small, regular droplet feeds. After dedicated round-the-clock attention, they gradually gained strength and reached their target weights.
Today, Fred and Wilma have completely transformed. Now thriving in their forever home, they remain an inseparable pair, active and displaying natural behaviors. Their remarkable recovery demonstrates the life-saving impact of our rescue and rehabilitation efforts.
Your donation enables us to provide this critical care to more animals like Fred and Wilma. Help us continue turning desperate situations into success stories through your support today.
Anna, Elsa & Olaf: Rescue to Recovery at Woodlands
Anna, Elsa, and Olaf arrived at Woodlands Animal Sanctuary in April 2024. The mother goat and her few-week-old kids urgently needed rescue after their previous sanctuary owner developed health issues preventing proper care.
Despite settling in well after their long journey north, Anna soon developed complications from retained birthing material. Through intensive veterinary intervention and our dedicated care, she made a full recovery.
Today, all three goats thrive at Woodlands. The playful kids have become star attractions during our open days, delighting visitors with their antics.
Your donation directly supports emergency rescues and medical care for animals like Anna's family, allowing us to help more animals in crisis situations.
