Bleakholt rehomes more than 1,000 animals in 2025

The Edenfield sanctuary houses animals, such as horses, donkeys, mules, goats and pigs, who live their lives out at the 55-acre site while dogs, cats and small animals including rabbits, guinea pigs, mice, rats, hens and more are rehomed elsewhere.

Sanctuary Manager Karen Weed said: “During the last year many of the animals coming into our care required extensive medical treatment before they can be rehomed.

“This places a greater financial strain on the sanctuary, but we believe every animal deserves the chance to find their loving home. Many of the animals coming into us are elderly and have ongoing medical issues but we always go over and above to find them the very best homes."

Greyhound Hazel was a long-serving resident, almost three years at the sanctuary, and she found the perfect home in December.

American bulldog Stella, after almost a year and numerous appeals, was snapped up in 2025.

Nami, Sky, Chino and Giles were also some of the longer resident dogs who found their humans.

Karen continued: “Finding new homes for all our animals is rewarding, but for those who have had longer stays with us it reminds us why are Sanctuary is so very important. We love receiving the updates about them settling into their new lives.”

On cats, Bleakholt exceeded last year’s figures by rehoming 631 felines.

The sanctuary has been featured in the national media recently, talking about the cat crisis in the North-West with an increase of 23% in cats being abandoned and neglected.

Bleakholt launched ‘Project Purrfect’ last year, the extension and renovation of their current cattery so they can house and care for more cats.

Cases the staff have dealt with in 2025 with include kitten Annie, who was abandoned by her mum at three days old and needed to be bottle fed.

There was Olive who came in with an eye infection and needed her eye taken out; numerous cats who have come in from hoarding situations and three cats who had seven kittens each.

Karen said: “There is a major cat crisis in the North-West with more cats coming into us neglected and abandoned. We have a list of 300 cats waiting to come in which is far too many. It means there are cats out there needing help and that breaks our hearts which is why we are extending and renovating our cattery in 2026.”

On small animals, Bleakholt also has a long waiting list for rabbits to come into the sanctuary and this year, they have had guinea pigs, mice, rats and hens and more brought into the sanctuary to rehome.

Karen concluded: “This work never stops for us – and we know 2026 will be just as busy – but we want to thank everyone who supports us in any way. It means the world to our staff and animals.”