Every animal deserves a second chance
AS general manager of the largest animal sanctuary in Scotland, I am no stranger to the suffering and cruelty that humans can inflict upon animals. While unforeseen circumstances may force some people to have an animal rehomed, I have witnessed on so many occasions animals being abandoned for no better reason than their owners having simply given up on them.
Our modern, throwaway culture has taught us to only value perfect things that provide us with quick gratification, whether that’s the latest iphone or the trendiest designer dog. Particularly around the festive season, this kind of consumerism and thinking is perpetuated. Instead of treating our pets as disposable accessories, we need to value them and recognise they aren’t just a temporary commitment to be discarded at the first sign of difficulty.
At Willows Animal Sanctuary, we live and work by the ethos that all animals deserve a second chance. As sentient beings, they inherently deserve to be respected and well-treated, but often they are abandoned as soon as they no longer serve a use to their owners. We specialise in rescuing elderly, vulnerable or injured animals that, sadly, have often been turned away by larger national charities.
Demand for our services is greater than ever. Our fields and stables are filled to the brim with more than 450 animals, including over 100 horses, 65 cats and dogs and over 200 farm animals, that have been abandoned for a whole host of reasons. Many of the horses in our care are with us because they can no longer be ridden, whether that’s through old age or injury, while lots of dogs have been given up to us due to the cost of their ongoing expenses.
Every animal has something to give back to society. Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) is a treatment that involves bonding with an animal as a
Animals are absolutely non-judgmental, allowing people to come out of their shells without feeling exposed
fundamental part of a person’s healing from mental or physical trauma. From horses and cats to lizards and even elephants, AAT with all kinds of animals has been shown to boost confidence, help overcome anxiety, develop new skills and open doors to employability or further education.
We have run an AAT programme for more than 20 years and we now have a service level agreement with Aberdeenshire Council to help those with enduring mental health difficulties. Our diverse AAT unit provides enormous support to vulnerable people suffering from a range of problems, from schizophrenia to physical disabilities, and we’ve seen people respond to our animals in a way that no human interaction could produce, with overwhelmingly positive feedback.
Simply being in the presence of these animals is a comfort to vulnerable people – animals are absolutely non-judgmental, allowing people to come out of their shells without feeling exposed. Often AAT will be the only form of therapy that particular clients are willing to try, and it acts as a lifeline for many of those experiencing difficulties.
Willows is known as a last-chance sanctuary for those animals with no other hope of surviving. But, while we have saved countless animal lives from a horrible fate, we must acknowledge that many of those animals have gone on to give so much more back to our community.
While our animals may be seen as symbols of the appalling outcome of a throwaway society, they are also beacons of hope to countless people in need. So, don’t write off a one-eyed sheep or a lame horse as worthless because they are imperfect – they could hold the key to changing someone’s life.