Alex Salmond says...

Thank you for your support...

We are delighted to announce that Willows will not be closing this Christmas. We are nearing our target of £20000, and with the promise of other donations it looks like the charity will survive the current crisis. We have been overwhelmed by your generosity in this truly difficult time and would like to say a heartfelt thank you to all who have helped. This year has been the hardest since Willows was founded in 1989 and it has been absolutely wonderful to have had the support of all those who care about Willows in its hour of need.

Willows is not government or Lottery funded and is almost completely reliant on donations, so please continue to support us during the coming year.

The Story of Willows Animal Sanctuary

Willows Animal Sanctuary has been rescuing animals from distressing situations since 1989. It all began with an Arab horse called Willow (we named our sanctuary after her) who we learned had been left tethered in the wind and rain and suffering from mud fever for a long time. One day she became entangled in her tether and was slowly choking until a vigilant passer-by intervened and called out the RSPCA. Her owner was prosecuted and eventually Willow came to us. Hearing about what had happened to Willow made us aware of the enormous suffering that can befall animals and we set about making a safe place for unwanted or abused animals to live out the rest of their lives.

In 1999 Willows became a recognised Scottish Charity and began to specialise in accepting animals that had been rejected by other charities as being unsuitable for re-homing. Willows now provides a “last chance sanctuary” and most of the animals here would not be around today if Willows did not exist.

We at Willows act as a lifeline for needy animals and offer them safety, rehabilitation and re-home those that are suitable. Willows offers dedicated care to abandoned and ill-treated domestic and farm animals. We look after over 200 animals including more than 58 horses, ponies and donkeys, approximately 50 cats and many rabbits, poultry and reptiles as well as over 100 farm animals and birds.

'I am delighted to support Willows Animal Sanctuary once again in their fundraising campaign. I am a regular visitor to the Sanctuary and I am very impressed by both the work that they do, and the dedication of their staff. In addition to caring for the animals, Willows provides an extremely valuable therapeutic facility for the more vulnerable members of our community.

Animal Rescue at Willows

Willows receives animals in many different ways. Sometimes responsible owners simply cannot cope - for many different legitimate reasons. Sometimes people abandon animals in boxes by the roadside, on a refuse tip or somewhere secluded. Passersby find the boxes and bring them to us with their pitiful content. Willows is entirely dependent on public generosity and unlike the national animal charities we do not have large reserves of cash. So please help us if you can.

One of the many horses rescued by Willows

In June 1999 Willows received a call asking if we could provide a home for Lucky. Life had been fine for Lucky until his owner had placed him on loan with someone who failed to take proper care of him.

On the left is Lucky when we received him - on the right hand side you can see what he looked like after Willows had cared for him. Willows does this kind of work routinely. It really is the same horse!

The Animal Assisted Therapy Unit at Willows