Lots of fun things being added every day and will be a great fun event as always with great community spirit.

• Special Appearance by X Factor ’2 Shoes’
• ‘Happy Hour’ will also be performing throughout the day
• Easter Egg Hunt
• Meet the animals
• Heart FM angels
• Raffle
• Games
• Bouncy Castle
• Food and drink
• A surprise special guest for the kids!

“Hopefield Animal Sanctuary’s big Easter open day is a day not to be missed! With fun for all the family including an Easter egg hunt and a chance to meet all the animals – this is the perfect day out!”‘Happy Hour’ will also be performing throughout the day!’

Open Day Events

• 8th April – Easter Theme
• 27th May – Small Animal Event
• 24th June - Horse Theme
• 22nd July – Olympics Sports Event
• 26th August – theme to be confirmed
• 30th September – Dog Show

Christmas Events

• 25th November – Christmas Fete
• 16th December – Carol Service

Hey everyone,

Firstly a big thankyou to everyone that took part in the sponsored walk with us! It was such a great event and so lovely to meet so many of our supporters!

We’ve been very busy down at the sanctuary, leading into the winter is always one of the hardest times as we need to make sure all the animals have everything they need before the cold weather sets in and they come into the stables. Everything is going really well though and we have had a few new arrivals!

Two unwanted little bunnies, Willow and Oz are now living at the sanctuary and are settling in well. We also recently had nine kittens come into the sanctuary after the owners landlord had told him he needed to get rid of them. There was no room at the other cat sanctuaries and he said he had no choice but to put them to sleep. Hopefield took them in and managed to find them loving homes. They are all doing well and some still reside at Hopefield!

On a sadder note, a few weeks ago we all had a shock when we arrived in the morning to find Zoe, our eldest pony down in her stable. She had laid down over night to give her legs a rest and couldn’t get back up. We all tried for hours to get her up and had two vets out to her. As the day went on we all feared for the future of Zoe but shes a strong girl. Even though she was unsteady on her legs she managed to get up. She also had a very nasty wound to her face. It has been touch and go but Zoe is doing well; her wounds are
healing and she has had steroid injections in her knee and is doing well. So, we’re all hoping that with all our love and care she will make a full recovery.

Hope you can all make it to our Christmas Fete on the 27th November 12pm – 3pm to come and raise funds for the animals and of course say hello to them all!

Lianne

So this is the first blog for the new look Hopefield Animal Sanctuary website!

In this blog myself, Nicola and the volunteers and staff at Hopefield will all be writing blogs to keep you as updated as possible with the goings on down at Hopefield!

To mark this first blog i wanted to let you know why i decided to get so heavily involved with saving this magical place.

I’ve always loved animals and felt a kinship with them ever since I was a child.

I love how loyal, trusting and comforting they can be. I’ve always grown up with dogs and around horses which I have a real passion for. I can’t count the amount of times
I’ve felt upset or sad and come home and curled up with my dog on the sofa or gone riding with my horse to cheer me up. Their companionship is incomparable.

When I first visited Hopefield I knew this place would become a big part of my journey. From meeting Ernie and Liane and the volunteers I felt the love and respect they have for this place.

I’ve always dreamed of being a part of a safe haven for animals that have been abandoned or faced abuse and neglect and Hopefield is exactly that.

Seeing horses grazing in a huge green field free of fear of their past lives and living in peace and safety is amazing. the stories of some of the animals just breaks my heart. I could never comprehend why people would beat or starve or just abandon these beautiful creatures and if Hopefield wasn’t here I couldn’t bear to imagine the awful fate they would meet.

Ernie and Paula are the heart of Hopefield and their dream is one I share with them. A place where animals need not fear, a place of sanctuary, a place of hope.

For more information or to book please contact us by email or telephone 01277 201110.

Thank you all for your continued support and love, which gives all Hopefield’s animals a brighter future and allows us to keep rescuing more animals in need!

Please keep checking back for announcements and more information.

Since the first day I visited Hopefield Animal Sanctuary I knew it would become a big part of my life. The work they are doing to save these abused and neglected animals is essential, they would simply have nowhere else to go if this sanctuary wasn’t here. At Hopefield these animals get to live out their lives peacefully and free from abuse.

My mission at Hopefield is to make sure these animals can continue to live here, that they can live comfortably and safely, that we can build Hopefield into a sanctuary that will educate people on animal welfare and continue to save more animals in need.

The immediate mission is to raise 100,000 by christmas ! A big ask but one we can achieve by each just doing whatever we can for these animals that deserve some love !

Ernie was a truly inspirational character who will be sorely missed, but we are determines to continue the work, that Ernie and his wife Paula, started in 1983

Appeal for New Stables

We are desperately trying to to raise funds so that we can replace one of our stable blocks which is now beyond repair.

Any donations would greatly appreciated.

A Mate for Rio

One of our latest additions, Rio the Peacock is settling in well to life at Hopefield.

However Rio is a sociable animal and we are looking for a Peahen to keep him company.

If you can help with either of the above appeals, please email or call us on 01277 201110.

]]> http://www.hopefield.org.uk/appeals/feed/ 1 http://www.hopefield.org.uk/pet-care/ http://www.hopefield.org.uk/pet-care/#comments Wed, 28 Sep 2011 19:33:17 +0000 Hopefield http://www.hopefield.dreamhosters.com/?p=99 Learn more »]]> Rabbits are now the third most popular pet in the UK next to cats and dogs and it is estimated that 1.5 million are kept as pets. These adorable creatures can live happily outdoors or indoors, provided they are given litter training and a suitable space to call their own.

There are numerous responsibilities attached to keeping a bunny as a pet, beyond the essentials of providing food and shelter. You should also understand its behaviour and take measures to ensure its total development.

If your bouncing friend lives outside it must be provided with a good quality hutch built to be warm and cosy. The Rabbit Welfare Association states the perfect hutch size as a minimum of 6ft x 2ft x 2ft, preferably with an attached exercise run of at least 6ft x 4ft x 4ft. The hutch should be off the ground, have a suitable roof to avoid damp conditions and must be sturdy and secure to keep out predators such as birds and foxes.

The larger the hut you can buy with your budget the better. A range of quality rabbit runs and hutches can be found at many online specialists. Opt for an additional rabbit run to make your furry companion the happiest you’ve ever seen him. Don’t be afraid to get creative and perhaps turn your garden shed into a rabbit home with a labyrinth of hidey holes and ramps, using a cat flap to allow access to an outside run.

Poor housing is one of the main reasons for poorly rabbits. Make sure you allow your rabbit to be outside for a while every day as they need sunlight to produce vitamin D that is vital for a healthy body. Bunnies need regular exercise to stay fit and healthy – this is part of their natural behaviour. If they don’t get some exercise or stimulation everyday they will soon become lethargic and dispirited. By letting your bunny out of its cage not only will you have a cheerful and content bunny, but you will see his character blossom.