By Karen Carruth

Providing a forever home for the waifs and strays of the animal world is the daily calling of the staff at Willows Animal Sanctuary, Fraserburgh, in Aberdeenshire.

Providing the love and care they need is the easy part, continually raising funds to keep the place going is more difficult.

However, the staff have developed the sanctuary over the years into a destination and you can now visit, spend the day looking at and playing with the animals, enjoy lunch in the café, browse the sanctuary shops which all help top up the coffers of this long running charity.

The sanctuary has been on the go for 21 years and is now the largest, ethically managed, equine, farm and domestic animal sanctuary in Scotland, and will try to help any animal in distress.

They operate a strict no kill policy, and currently look after more than 450 animals made up of more than 100 horses, ponies and donkeys, around 65 cats, dogs and reptiles as well as more than 200 farm animals and birds across their 60 acres. It’s a big operation, and requires a lot of money to keep going.

Which is why Vikky McDonald, who runs the sanctuary, is hoping to remind animal lovers what a special place it is, and to encourage people to come along and visit, and maybe support or financially adopt some of the animals.

There are many reasons that these animals end up at their door, Vikky tells me: “For some it is a change in circumstances, or often it is neglect cases. Some of the farm animals, sheep for example, come from people who buy them as lambs and don’t realise that they are going to grow into a fully-grown sheep!

“However, most of our animals are last chance cases, as they can’t be rehomed, due to illness, or psychological problems.”

The horses that come to them are not rideable, and often they end up in terrible places, so Willows offers what is essentially a retirement home, where they are safe and properly looked after until the end of their days.

Vikky continues: “The funding issues are never ending, which is one of the reasons we opened the café, the Nibbly Pig, it encourages people to come to the sanctuary and to stay longer, and to hear some of the back stories of some of the wonderful animals.”

One of the unique experiences offered at Willows is to spend some time in the cat hotel. The hotel is a huge converted barn, kitted out to house around 60 cats that are not suitable for rehoming. Visitors can pop in and sit with the cats for as long as they wish. There is no pressure on the cats to come to you, but inevitably you will have plenty of cat attention from the braver kitties and they absolutely love the cuddles they get from visitors.

The sanctuary also runs an Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) programme, which is a type of therapy that involves animals with specific characteristics becoming a part of a person’s treatment. It is designed to improve the physical, social, emotional and cognitive functioning of the visitor. Many animals are used, in particular at Willows those being cats and horses. Referral is essential for this therapy, all details are on the Willows website.

If you can’t make it along to see the animals, donations are most welcome, either financial or practical. They are always on the look-out for any spare cat food, and any hay or straw donations would be most gratefully received. Online funding details are on the website. https://www.willowsanimals.com/SupportUs.htm

Small Animal Care Manager Andrea talks us through her duties at Willows

You look after the small animals at Willows, what are you dealing with daily?

The small animals include cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, and poultry. I also help with all the other animals if required.  

How long have you worked at Willows? For 10 years now. 

What does a typical day for you in your role look like?

A typical day consists of checking all the animals are OK first thing. Then feeding them all and checking they have suitable bedding and cleaning out enclosures if needed. I help in the visitor centre for a few hours then go out and feed again, making sure they are all fine for the night. 

What made you first want to work for Willows?

I did a placement through a back-to-work course and really enjoyed it. The people were friendly and I started to gain confidence. Luckily, when I completed the placement, Willows were able to offer me a job. 

What do you enjoy most about your role?

I enjoy spending my day with the animals. 

What’s the biggest challenge of your role?

The biggest challenge is knowing if I’m doing the right thing. The animals can’t tell you what’s wrong if they are ill, so you need to learn to read them. 

Why do you like working with animals?

I like working with animals as it’s very rewarding. I am making a difference in their lives. 

How important is Willows to volunteers?

I think volunteering can provide people with routine and purpose. Looking after the animals can also provide companionship. 

Have you got any favourite animals that you look after?

I adore a ginger cat called Finlay. He is very affectionate and has a unique purr. Since working at willows I’ve discovered I absolutely love sheep. 

What is there for visitors to do at Willows?

Willows offers a visitor attraction where people can come and spend time with the animals.

What, in your opinion, makes Willows so special?

Willows is special as it gives people the opportunity to come and interact with the animals. Animal Assisted Therapy can be beneficial to anyone. There aren’t many places like Willows. 

Panel

Q&A – Andrea, Small Animal Care Manager

You look after the small animals at Willows – what animals are these?

The small animals include cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, and poultry. I also help with all the other animals if required.  

How long have you worked at Willows?

I’ve worked at Willows for 10 years now. 

What does a typical day for you in your role look like?

A typical day consists of checking all the animals are ok first thing. Then feeding them all and checking they have suitable bedding and cleaning out enclosures if needed. I help in the visitor centre for a few hours then go out and feed again, making sure they are all fine for the night. 

What made you first want to work for Willows?

I did a placement through a back-to-work course and really enjoyed it. The people were friendly and I started to gain confidence. Luckily, when I completed the placement, Willows were able to offer me a job. 

What do you enjoy most about your role?

I enjoy spending my day with the animals. 

What’s the biggest challenge of your role?

The biggest challenge is knowing if I’m doing the right thing. The animals can’t tell you what’s wrong if they are ill, so you need to learn to read them. 

Why do you like working with animals?

I like working with animals as it’s very rewarding. I am making a difference in their lives. 

How important is Willows to volunteers?

Volunteering can provide people with routine and purpose. Looking after the animals can also provide companionship. 

Have you got any favourite animals that you look after?

I adore a ginger cat called Finlay. He is very affectionate and has a unique purr. Since working at willows I’ve discovered I absolutely love sheep. 

Do you have any funny/unique stories in relation to some of the animals in your care?

A little dog made me laugh. He was in the dog pen which had quite long grass. I went to get him in, but he was nowhere to be seen. Usually he’s waiting at the gate. I was worried he had escaped. I shouted for him and then in the distance the grass just started to part and this little white thing was bobbing up and down, running towards me. He was so excited to see me. I think he must have got lost in the grass. 

You also help out with the visitor centre – what do you do there?

I am mainly on reception greeting people, taking the admissions, accepting donations etc. I also help in the Cafe and the gift and thrift shops. 

What is there for visitors to do at Willows?

Willows offers a visitor attraction where people can come and spend time with the animals. There is also a cafe offering drinks, hot food and sweet treats. There is a gift shop and whole foods store too. Willows also has a second-hand shop on site. 

What, in your opinion, makes Willows so special?

Willows is special as it gives people the opportunity to come and interact with the animals. Animal assisted therapy can be beneficial to anyone. There aren’t many places like Willows.