They say February is all about love – and here at the sanctuary, we couldn’t agree more.
While the rest of the world is busy with chocolates, flowers and heart-shaped everything, we’re looking back at January and feeling pretty loved-up ourselves.
Because every single adoption is a love story, isn’t it?
A perfect match between an animal who needs a home and a family ready to open their hearts.
That’s the thing about rescue animals. They don’t care about Valentine’s cards or fancy dinners. They just want somewhere warm to sleep, a full belly, and someone who’ll love them exactly as they are.
Unconditional love?
Our lot wrote the book on it.
In January, 36 animals found their perfect match and headed off to start their new lives.
29 cats went home, starting with Pan & Merlin right after the New Year celebrations were over. Then, the following cats went home: Sunny, Oreo, Nestor, Bea, Fizzy, Willow, Scout, Pepper, Maomao, Roxy, Rosie, Fenrir, Brian, Ebiony, Betty, Billie, Lola, Roxie, Velma, Teddy, Peaches, Salem, Suki, Hammy, Ember, and Paws & Bill.
Six dogs also went home: Tommy, Bentley, Snowy, Tilly, Harold and Buster.
And last but certainly not least, one lovely rabbit called Daisy, off to be bonded with her new partner. A Valentine’s love story if ever there was one.
Thanks to you all for adopting from us – we hope they’re bringing you the joy they brought us.
Suki: A Heart That Needed Mending
At 18 years young, Suki proved that it’s never too late to find your happily ever after.
Some cats wear their sadness where everyone can see it, and Suki was one of them. You could see how much she was hurting, and she touched the hearts of everyone involved in her care. Finding her a family who could give her the love she so desperately needed became a real mission for the team.
When her forever family came to meet her, there was no doubt – this was the fresh start she’d been waiting for.
Good luck, sweet girl. You deserve every bit of happiness coming your way.
Percy: The Little Lad Who Never Gave Up
At just five months old, Percy hadn’t had the best start in life. He was involved in a car accident just before Christmas, leaving him with a nasty pelvic fracture.
Unfortunately, he wasn’t microchipped or neutered, and despite numerous pleas from West Bar Vets, no one ever came forward for him.
After six weeks of cage rest (no easy task with a kitten!), Percy still wasn’t weight-bearing. Further X-rays showed his femoral head was rubbing against his hip joint, meaning he needed surgery for a femoral head and neck excision.
He’s such a happy-go-lucky lad who deserves nothing more than a long and happy life ahead of him. So when we were asked to help, of course we said yes.
We put out an appeal, knowing January isn’t the easiest month to ask for help – but you amazing lot raised an incredible £1,548 towards his surgery.
Percy came through his operation brilliantly and is now recovering with his foster family. He’ll be looking for his forever home in a few weeks.
Thank you to everyone who donated, and to the team at West Bar Vets for their brilliant care.
Salem: Because FIV+ Cats Deserve Love Too
Salem’s journey to finding his forever home was a long one. Having arrived in our care back in May, this adorable lad has been through the wringer – finally getting to the bottom (excuse the pun) of his sensitive tummy, and completing two rounds of treatment for ringworm.
But FIV+ cats absolutely deserve loving homes, and we knew someone would fall for his adorable little face, just like we had.
When his forever family came to meet him, it was instant love.
We’ll miss seeing Salem’s little face around the sanctuary, but nothing makes us happier than knowing he’s in a loving home, being pampered just as he deserves.
Good luck, Salem – and thank you to his fabulous adopters for seeing past the FIV label to the wonderful cat underneath.
Thank You!
Every adoption, every donation, every share – it all makes a difference. Thank you for helping us give these animals the second chances they deserve.
If you’d like to support our work, you can donate here.
From all of us at Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary, wishing you a love-filled February – and thank you for sharing some of that love with our animals.