Animal Adoption

Struggling 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 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.

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

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

Bransby Horses

Not Wimbledon Common but Bransby Horses for New Sponsorship Star, Womble.

Womble is a beautiful Welsh dark grey who arrived at Bransby Horses in 2011 with 26 other ponies after being seized from a site in Wrexham where their living conditions were deemed unsuitable. Womble and his herd were found to be completely unhandled and not used to human interaction.

Despite his rocky start, Womble has come a long way in the last 10 years and although he can still be a bit nervous, he has a very loveable character and is known as a rather cheeky chappy by his handlers.

When needed to be caught, Womble often thinks it’s good fun to get his best friend Rodney involved in running away and causes no end of mischief, taking the team twice as long to round them up.

Since arriving in the same rescue, the two of them are inseparable – wherever Womble is, Rodney is never far behind.

Visitors to Bransby Horses, just north of Lincoln, can see Womble and Rodney on their Visitor Centre Yard but you can be one of the first to sponsor Womble by calling 01427 788 464 or online at www.BransbyHorses.co.uk/sponsor

At a Glance:

Make a new friend and help support Bransby Horses work by sponsoring one of their horses, ponies or donkeys from as little as £3 a month.

By sponsoring one of their amazing equines for yourself or as a gift, you can receive regular, direct updates from your favourite Sponsorship Star, a certificate and special photo. With your support, they can provide horses, donkeys, ponies and mules with a second chance at a happy, healthy life. Tiggywinkles is the world’s busiest wildlife hospital, helping over 12,000 wild animals every year. They are there 24hrs a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to take in any wild animal in need. It takes a huge amount to keep their hospital open all year round and an excellent way to ensure they can continue to help British wildlife is to support our Adoption Scheme.

Through their Adoption Scheme, you can help care for all the beautiful birds of prey that pass through their doors. They provide the best care, treatment and medicine to make sure these majestic birds take flight once again. They help buzzards, red kites, kestrels and sparrowhawks, to name just a few. These amazing birds are rushed in for treatment for all manner of reasons including broken wings, head trauma and parasites. They also take in lots of orphaned baby birds of prey in the busy summer months.

Their aim is to get as many of these stunning animals on their feet again and released but the birds of prey that cannot return to the wild live in safe, purpose-built aviaries on site where they can give them all the care they need.

If you choose to adopt their birds of prey, or another species, you will ensure Tiggywinkles continues to rescue, rehabilitate and provide sanctuary for any needy wild animal who has no one else to help them. www.tiggywinkles.com

Adopt today and receive:

• Photo of your chosen animal • Adoption certificate • Detailed history of your chosen animal • Factsheet

• Fridge Magnet • The Chronicle (history of Tiggywinkles) • One free entry to Visitor Centre

Buttercups Goat Sanctuary

At Buttercups Sanctuary, goats that have been mistreated and abused, starved and abandoned, are taken into care, giving them an environment of love and kindness. Here their “hurts” can be treated and their experience of cruelty is replaced with understanding and trust. Set in ancient Parkland the Sanctuary provides goats who have suffered so much with a safe and loving home for the rest of their lives. As well as open fields in which to roam in, all of the animals at Buttercups have a warm, dry undercover accommodation at night. It is hard to believe that in today’s world, where television brings us such wonderful images of animal life, that man can still create situations of cruelty and hardship to those who share our planet. Buttercups Sanctuary for Goats is now home to over 150 goats plus another 130 staying in wonderful “Foster Homes”. They rely entirely upon the goodwill of Friends to provide financial support through donations and legacies. Buttercups is the only registered goat charity in the UK whose sole aim is to provide relief and care after cruelty and neglect. Why not support them and adopt a goat today, an ideal gift. Contact them at www.buttercups.org.uk

At a Glance

Adopt today and receive:

• Photo of your chosen animal • Details about their story • Quarterly newsletter • Personalised Certificate

All the rescued horses and donkeys of Redwings Horse Sanctuary want this Christmas is the chance to continue living a life free of fear and neglect.

Christmas shoppers can help make their wish come true by sponsoring a Redwings “Adoption Star” as a truly unique gift for a loved one, and every penny goes towards their care and that of their four-legged friends at the Sanctuary – of which there are over 1,500!

Sponsorship costs from just £15 a year, and there are more than 20 adorable Adoption Star horses, ponies and donkeys to choose from, each with their own moving story to tell.

From gentle giant Shire cross Fox to mischievous donkey Arya, from mini but mighty Sampson to real life ‘Black Beauty’ Maya, there’s an array of wonderful characters enabling everyone to find the perfect new friend for themselves or a loved one! Those sponsoring an Adoption Star will receive: • An adoption pack including a certificate, beautiful photograph and the Adoption Star’s story • Postal updates on their adventures and antics at the Sanctuary • An invitation to the Adoption Star’s birthday party • Access to an online diary featuring photo galleries and blogs about their life at Redwings • The chance to visit the Adoption

Star for free at the visitor centre where they live • A Friendship Card to treasure as a reminder of their adoption.

To sponsor a Redwings Adoption Star this Christmas, head to www.redwings. org.uk/adopt or call 01508 481000.

So many people dream of playing the piano. Maybe its that disused piano in the corner of the sitting room, or that you’ve always promised yourself an electric piano. Maybe you had lessons as a child and were put off by an overly strict teacher (a common experience!) Maybe you’ve continued to have lessons or play as an adult but want to take your skills to a new level and go on an adventure at the keyboard….

Piano Sanctuary has the answer! A new concept combining piano playing and lifestyle, the Sanctuary methods provide a truly exciting alternative approach which will really set you free at the piano, fast track skills, and turn you into a true pianist.

Developed by international concert pianist Andrew Quartermain, the idea formed after years running piano weekends for adult learners. “I soon realized that these weekends were about a social club as well as a music course” says Andrew. “People coming together from so many different backgrounds and varied level of experience – from complete beginner to advanced player – all bound by their love of the piano and the incredible music written for it; and wanting to share their passion with like minded people.”

Based at the idyllic Leiston Abbey on the Suffolk coast, Piano Sanctuary now offers monthly Retreat weekends. Part piano course, part weekend break in the countryside, and all accompanied by incredible food and wine – all included in the package together with accommodation in the magical 22 bedroom Abbey Farmhouse and adjoining Guesten Lodge.

“As soon as participants check into their rooms for their Retreat weekend I want them to feel a sense of homely warmth combined with artistic escape” Andrew says. “Its about putting everyone at ease in a beautiful and supportive environment and then the open

Piano Sanctuary

sessions and tuition work to everyone’s individual goals, led by leading concert pianists – all very experienced teaching adults. We also have yoga sessions, and lots of extras from concerts to a Champagne and Jazz night in the Tudor room!”

In the last year, Piano Sanctuary has developed its innovative methods to create online courses (often a great way to start, and a stepping stone to coming on a Retreat weekend.)

The Starter course for complete beginners, or adult returners, and the Adventure course for existing players use creative techniques that can be grasped immediately to ignite skills and fast track progress.

The courses are tailor made and individually written for each participant. 5 lessons are delivered by video and zoom and each lesson is accompanied by a full lesson pack and follow up audios to act as long lasting resources.

Andrew Quartermain’s goal when devising the Sanctuary online programmes was to give learners an immediate result in a short space of time, and to fit in with people’s schedules and lifestyles. “What puts so many adults off learning is the thought of having to book months, even years, of piano lessons. What we do with the online courses is to reverse the process used in traditional methods which nearly always starts with page to eye, processing notation, then the technique and then finally the sound produced at the piano. The Sanctuary method starts with the sound world. Even from the first lesson of the Starter course we are entering adventurous and exciting sound worlds at the piano via creative activities that can be grasped instantly. Through this we then process technique and musicianship in an organic and immediate way.”

Piano Sanctuary online courses are now taken by people across the world and there has been incredible feedback about the results. They start at just £99

For more information about the online courses and the Retreats, and to start your piano adventure with the Piano Sanctuary email hello@pianosanctuary.co.uk or go to

www.pianosanctuary.co.uk