At Hopefield Animal Sanctuary, you’ll often hear us talk about rescue for life. It’s more than a phrase – it’s a promise. But what does it actually mean, and why is it so important?
A Commitment Without an End Date
For many animals, rescue doesn’t end when the gates of a sanctuary open. Some arrive with complex medical needs, others are elderly, and many have experienced significant trauma. Rescue for life means that once an animal comes into Hopefield’s care, they have a safe home for as long as they need it – whether that’s months or years, and for the rest of their life. There is no time limit, no pressure to “move on,” and no expectation that they must become adoptable to be worthy of care.
Safety, Stability, and Trust
Many of the animals who arrive at Hopefield have known neglect, abuse, or abandonment. Building trust takes time – sometimes a lifetime. Rescue for life gives animals the stability they need to heal at their own pace, free from fear of being uprooted again. For some, that means gradual rehabilitation and learning to feel safe around people, while for others it simply means being allowed to exist peacefully, without demands or expectations. As a huge testimony to our amazing team here at Hopefield, there are very few of our 700 (ish!) animals that don’t enjoy a fuss and the gentle hand of a human they know and love.
Care Tailored to Each Individual
Rescue for life allows us to provide truly individual care. From specialised diets and long-term veterinary treatment to adapted living spaces and enrichment, every animal receives what they need to live with comfort and dignity. You may notice around the sanctuary the many signs asking for you not to feed our animals (even grass) – this is because many of them do have quite complex health and dietary needs that we need to constantly monitor. Because we are an animal sanctuary, and not a farm park, our animals are fed only by our staff (with the occasional tailored treat from the public who choose to do an ethical animal experience with us).
As animals age, their needs change, but our commitment does not. Senior residents receive the same love and attention as younger arrivals, along with the additional care old age can require.
Why Some Animals Can’t Be Rehomed
While rehoming is a positive outcome for many animals around the UK, and we always encourage to adopt, not shop, it isn’t always possible or the best option for every animal. Certain animals have behavioural challenges, ongoing medical conditions, or species-specific needs that make rehoming unsafe or unsuitable. Rescue for life means these animals are not forgotten or overlooked. They are valued, respected, and given the chance to live full lives without the pressure to fit into a traditional home environment, but they still get lots of love and attention from our Hopefield team.
Why We Choose Not to Rehome
In the early days of Hopefield, when the sanctuary was founded by Paula and Ernie Clark, some animals – particularly horses – were rehomed with the best intentions. Sadly, a number of them later returned to Hopefield after experiencing further neglect or poor treatment. Those painful experiences led to a heartfelt decision: a vow that animals who found safety at Hopefield would never again be put at risk. That promise became a cornerstone of the sanctuary’s philosophy. Today, Dave and Lianne continue this ethos wherever possible, ensuring that once an animal arrives at Hopefield, they truly are home for life.
What Rescue for Life Costs
Providing lifelong care is a significant commitment. Food, veterinary treatment, farriery, bedding, enrichment, and staff care add up – especially for nearly 700 animals. But rescue for life ensures that no animal’s worth is measured by how “easy” they are to care for. Every animal matters, every day. We are completely reliant on the goodwill of our supporters and on people coming to visit us to generate the funds we need to continue helping those who need helping the most.
How You Help Make Rescue for Life Possible
Rescue for life is only possible because of the kindness and support of our community. If you are keen to know more about how you can pay a vital role in the continuing surival of Hopefield Animal Sanctuary, which is one of the largest animal sanctuaries in the South East, then do consider becoming one of our Save a Life Members for £2 per month, sponsoring one of our amazing animals, finding out more about leaving us a lasting gift in your will, or maybe even volunteering with us. Even if you are not able to support us financially, then sharing our story also helps us keep our promise to the animals in our care – the more people who know about us, the better! When you support Hopefield, you’re not just helping in the moment – you’re standing behind a lifelong commitment to compassion.
A Promise We Never Break
Rescue for life means that when an animal comes to Hopefield, they are home. For good. No matter their past, their age, or their needs, they will always be safe, cared for, and loved.
That is the promise at the heart of everything we do.
