Animal Adoption – the perfect gift
Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary Adoptions at the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary make the single most important contribution to the funding of the sanctuary. For a suggested donation of just £25.00, families, companies or individuals help to support the lives of 100 donkeys, all of whom have been abandoned or rescued in a variety of circumstances. Charity Manager Derek Needham takes up the story. ‘We are proud to be an independent sanctuary which primarily looks after British donkeys who need support. Many of the donkeys we rescue need medical support, some for the rest of their lives. Some need expensive operations, some need daily TLC, whilst all of them need the regular veterinary routines that create good animal health. It costs over £600,000 a year to provide this support and we rely entirely on voluntary contributions, such as donkey adoptions, to provide this income. Some people ask us why we do this work, and our answers are simple. Firstly, our donkeys needed this help, they didn’t ask to be abandoned or in need of assistance, and we are the only people who cared. Secondly our donkeys give so much in return; they visit Alzheimer’s Centre’s, Nursing homes and other residential care facilities where they bring joy and happiness to people who are having a tough time ‘ The sanctuary is based at Wroxall in the Isle of Wight and has 55 acres of rolling countryside that the donkeys call their playground. There are barns and stables catering for all the donkey’s needs and all the barns are available for the public to visit so that they can get up close and personal with the animals. In non-Covid times the public can groom donkeys, take them for a walk or take part in half day donkey experiences, where they can participate in all of the ‘donkey work’ on the farm. An adoption includes a certificate with a picture of the adopted donkey, newsletters about the work that the sanctuary does and the opportunity to come and visit your adopted donkey. The sanctuary is open all year round apart from Christmas Day from 10.00- 4.30 . For further information visit their website www.iowdonkeysanctuary.org
a pet at home, or have a larger animal such as a horse, it can also encourage them to develop an interest in wildlife conservation too. Animal adoption is a very important method of fund-raising and can also build a lifetime relationship with a charity too. The details of animal adoption vary slightly but the essentials remain the same. Here are some examples of great choices for potential adoptees – take a look and why not this year give a truly giving gift -especially to all the animal lovers in your life.
Wild Futures
Wild Futures is a primate welfare and conservation charity rescuing, campaigning, educating and providing sanctuary to primates in need. It is currently legal to keep primates as pets in the UK, but primates are wild animals inherently unsuitable for keeping in domestic situations, and they suffer both physically and mentally as a result. Wild Futures campaigns against this trade and provides a home for life for monkeys rescued from situations of abuse and neglect at our sanctuary in Cornwall. Each rescued primate has their own distinct character and personality. As pets, many were left alone in tiny, barren cages, some were even physically abused. They offer them a chance to heal and socialise with others of their own kind, and experience a natural environment to explore, forage, play and climb trees in. There are many ways in which you can help them continue their vital work at Wild Futures: • Adopt a monkey – from just £3 a month you can provide the resources needed to give a rescued monkey the best life possible: www.wildfutures.org/adopt • Donate money – a lot of what they do is directly funded by kind donations from the general public. All donations are welcome no matter how small.You can donate online, by text or by post, in one-off or monthly instalments: www.wildfutures. org/donate • Donate items from their wish-list – as a charity they rely on the generous donations of their wonderful supporters, including food, enrichment and practical everyday items: www. wildfutures.org/waystohelp/monkey-wish-list • Lifestyle giving - there are plenty of ways to give to Wild Futures without actually giving any cash at all: www. wildfutures.org/waystohelp/lifestyle-giving • Leave a gift in your will – leaving a gift to Wild Futures in your will is the greatest gift that someone who cares about primates and the environment can give. Find out more at: www. wildfutures.org/waystohelp/legacies Contact fundraising@wildfutures.org for more information or visit their website www.wildfutures.org
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Animal Adoption – the perfect gift
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truggling to come up with yet more interesting ideas as gifts for friends and family? Whether for Christmas, as a birthday present, or for a special occasion, animal adoption or sponsorship is a fantastic way of giving someone a truly memorable gift and at the same time making a great contribution to animal welfare. It can be a great gift for both children and adults, especially for those who for whatever reason are unable to keep
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