Please Sign Our ‘Factory Farming is Illegal’ Petition!

Since 1999 Hillside have investigated and exposed the terrible cruelty to animals on Britain’s Intensive Factory Farms. Our many investigations of these, including those in ‘high welfare assurance schemes’, such as Red Tractor and the RSPCA’s Freedom Food, have formed a comprehensive and damning indictment of a system that is intrinsically cruel.

In October Clare Druce and Peta Watson-Smith, in partnership with Hillside Animal Sanctuary, launched a petition to highlight the illegality inherent in all factory-farming. We want the Secretary of State to take note of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and the 2007 Welfare of Farmed Animals Regulations and to tell us why legislation is being systematically ignored. We consider that factory farming is illegal. Why is this important?

UK animal protection law demands that intensivelyreared animals must be inspected thoroughly at least once a day. Just imagine the daily task of trying to inspect 10 thousand ducks together in one shed. Or 45 thousand broiler chickens. It's impossible! Since the

1990s, numerous examples of investigative filming in factory farms show sick and crippled animals left to suffer and die, unnoticed, in overcrowded and filthy conditions.

Clare Druce has detailed her life’s work campaigning for animals in her book ‘Chickens’ Lib’ available on page 17

Autumn Autumn

The cows, horses and sheep are enjoying the last of the summer grass. Meanwhile we are busy stocking up with lots of hay and straw in preparation for the animals coming back in for the winter.

Peacocks in Peril!

We were pleased to collect these peacocks from a housing estate where they had taken up residence. Unfortunately, peacocks can be quite vocal and some of the locals were threatening to 'silence' them. Fortunately for the birds, one kind neighbour went out of his way to catch them before they met an untimely end and we were glad to give a home to two peahens, one with a young family, and, of course, dad.

Swan Rescue

We were alerted to the plight of a swan that appeared to be lethargic and unwell. We found her and brought her back to the Sanctuary, where it became clear she was extremely undernourished. After keeping her safe and well fed for a few days she appeared to be making a good recovery so we moved her to our West Runton Sanctuary where she can benefit from the large pond there. We are always pleased to help any wildlife in trouble when we are able.

Puppy nearly perishes as owner dies at home...

Poor Izzy came to Hillside after her owner sadly died. She wasn’t found for several days and came close to succumbing to dehydration! We’re pleased to say that we have since rehomed her into a lovely adopted family home.

Since starting Hillside Dog Hillside Dog Hillside Dog Hillside Dog Hillside Rescue Rescue Rescue we have taken in several dogs from similar situations where some pets have even died before being found.

Fiego was checked by our vets after he began to look rather ‘inflated’. They carried out several tests to try and find out what might be causing what was technically known as ‘subcutaneous emphysema’ (meaning air under the skin). A tiny scab was found, midway down the underside of his neck, which, when opened, revealed a deep puncture wound. This effectively meant that when he breathed out, he pushed air through the wound and under his skin. Fiego was operated on to remove scar tissue from the wound to enable it to heal properly. During this time, a surgical pump was attached several times a day to ‘deflate’ him back to his normal size. Following the operation Fiego made a full recovery and returned to his handsome, slimline self.

Our Borehole Appeal...

Thank you soso soso so much to everyone who kindly responded to our appeal for an independent water supply on our new farm. Prior to the installation we found the electrics needed to run the borehole were in need of refurbishment and the cost of this was almost as much as the borehole itself!

We’re pleased to say that, with the electric work now completed, the borehole has been ordered and should be installed very soon.