RSPCA Approved...

Following a tip-off, our investigators discovered yet another RSPCA Freedom Food farm falling far short of the animal welfare standards they promise for the animals.

Conditions for the hens in this 'Lion Brand' free-range farm were appalling. We filmed conditions from December 2015 to January 2016 and found thousands of balding hens being kept in an area with insufficient perches, ammonia levels more than twice the recommended limit and every hen we checked was infested with mites. In a stunning indictment of the RSPCA Freedom Food (now ‘RSPCA Assured’) scheme, RSPCA inspectors who visited the farm after our footage was released found nothing we had filmed breached any free-range or Freedom Food regulations. However, respected vet Amir Kashiv, after watching our footage declared ‘the conditions in this and some other hen houses are inhumane’ he went on to say ‘the grim and squalid conditions are a far cry from the image and impression conjured up by the terms ‘free range’ and ‘Freedom Food’

Jamie...

A local vet asked if we could take in this tiny piglet who had been handed into them after being found alone on a country road. We were pleased to help and he was soon being cared for round the clock by our veterinary staff, who gave him two-hourly feeds throughout the night. His coat of many colours was knitted by a kind supporter who had intended it for hens who come to us featherless from battery cages but it was ideal to keep Jamie warm as he came to us very cold and underweight. Jamie is doing very well and is growing into a healthy adult pig.

Pickles...

Pickles was found newly-born on a main road in Norfolk. She received lots of love and attention from the staff at Hillside who fed her through the night. She is pictured at the Sanctuary at just four days old. Now she has grown up she lives with some of our other 250 rescued pigs who have a permanent home in the Sanctuary.

Falling through the slats on the way to slaughter...

We are often brought newly-born piglets that have been found on main roads in Norfolk with their umbilical cords still attached. When there is no pig farm nearby, this is likely to have been caused by a pregnant sow giving birth on the lorry, on the way to the slaughterhouse and the piglets falling through the slats onto the road.

An abattoir worker confirmed to us that sows often arrive at the slaughterhouse having given birth during transport with their tiny piglets lying all over the floor.

There are 250 rescued pigs living at Hillside or two for £11.95

Animal Friendly Cookbook

Fun, colourful, hand-drawn and hand-written in a really approachable and friendly style, with plenty of recipes easy and quick enough for a beginner, a family or even a young person on their own. There are many animal friendly versions of traditional favouritespasties, shepherdess pie, chilli non carne, chocolate cake and pancakes. £14.95

‘Can you take them?’ This is a question we are often asked... As I write this, we have received a call asking if we can take in a herd of 35 mares and their foals who have been abandoned. The council need to ‘dispose’ of the horses for the lowest possible cost and a bailiff has managed to convince them it would be cheaper to bring them to Hillside, than to put them to sleep. However, we need to tell them if we have room by tomorrow and, if we cannot take them, they will be put to sleep. This truly is a last chance for these poor mares and foals who deserve so much better.

It is particularly poignant when animals come to the Sanctuary pregnant, and give birth soon after arriving. Seeing the bond between new life and old. A natural and beautiful bond that would have been denied, but will now be free to thrive.

So much of what we are able to do to help animals,to give them that last chance to be the characters they were born to be, is dependant on kind,caring people who make the choice to leave Hillside a legacy,so that when we are asked‘Can you take them?’ we can say ‘Yes’.

It is only through kindly bequeathed legacies that we have been able to buy new land, shelters, kennels and additional facilities to care for the animals when they arrive at the Sanctuary and, if necessary, to work with them until they are ready to enjoy their new life at Hillside.

Thanks to the kindness of those who have remembered us in their will, we have had the confidence to say ‘Yes’ to horses, ponies, donkeys, cows, sheep, pigs, ducks, rabbits and lots of other animals over the last 21 years and for the animals that receive this wonderful gift, it really is a life to remember...

Our admiration and thanks go out to everyone past and present who has thought of Hillside in their Will. If you would like to consider doing so, please ring the Sanctuary office on 01603 736200 and ask for Lesley. Or email Lesley at legacies@hillside.org.uk

Thank you for caring

Twinkle comes to Hillside...

We gave a home to this poor little foal who came to us along with her mum and dad after they were all found abandoned. Twinkle, as we called her, was extremely emaciated and weak and so received lots of extra special care over the following weeks to get her healthy again.

When we are asked to help animals like Twinkle, it is very important to us that we are able to come to their aid and give them a chance. However, with our costs at an all time high providing winter bedding and hay for over 1600 horses, ponies and donkeys at Hillside, and many other animals too, it is incredibly challenging to find the space and the funds to be able to offer a lifeline to animals that find themselves in dire situations.

Sheep Rescue...

We were sent this picture of a small flock of sheep who were facing an uncertain future, asking if we could help (see below). We were pleased to offer a home at Hillside to all ten (and the cockerel)...

DearHillside

Iamapetsitterandhavebeenhelpingsomeone lookaftertheirsmallholdingforthelastyear.Theladywhoowns itdecidedtomovebacktoEnglandfromWalesinJuneandIhave beenlookingaftertheremaininganimalssincethen.Ihavetaken insomeoftheanimalsmyselfandrehomedasmanyasIcanbut there areafewleftwhoIhavebeenunabletofindsuitablehomes for.

There arenineramlambs,bornlastyear, theyarelovelyboysand are verytame, twoofthemhavebeenbottlefed.Theyareabunch ofmisfits,notpedigreeandhavenovaluewhatsoeverandare destinedtogotoslaughterifIcannotfindthemahome, Ican't beartothinkofthemendingupthere,theyare tame,gentleboys, allhavenamesandpersonalities. ThereisalsoanolderramwhoIcallGrumpy,althoughheisnot, heisabigsoftywholovesafussbutisabigboy.Heisaround3 yearsold.ThereisalsoaBuffOrpingtoncockerelwhoIcannot findahomefor,plentyofpeoplewanthimforthepotbutIwant himtohaveachancetoliveahappylife.

Guess the Name of the Animal Guess the Name of the Animal Guess the Name of the Animal Guess the Name of the Animal Guess the Name of the Animal

An Easy Way to Raise Much Needed Funds WITHOUT COSTING YOU A PENNY!

Please help hay Please help buy hay Please help hay help hay for the animals by for the animals by for the animals by for animals by the animals holding a competition. holding a competition. holding a competition. holding a competition. competition. If you would like to help raise funds to help feed and care for our rescued animals, please consider holding a ‘GuesstheAnimal’sName’competition.

We will send you a cuddly soft toy, with a card containing 30 possible names. For just £1 donation, your friends, relatives or colleagues can choose a name. Whoever guesses the name correctly wins the toy. Simply send back the donations and card to us. We ask for a deposit of just £5 which you may deduct from your final collected donations.

To receive your Competition Pack just choose from a Donkey, Cow, Duck, Pig, Dog or Pony and we will send you everything you need- it’s so easy and greatfun!

Please send me a ‘Name the Animal’ Pack:

Name.....................................................................

Address................................................................ ............................................................................. ....................................Postcode.......................

I enclose £5 (refundable) deposit

Please help buy hay