A fully kitted vet suite for minor operations
For nearly 35 years, Holly Hedge Animal Sanctuary have rescued, rehabilitated and rehomed thousands of animals, always prioritising the neediest and most vulnerable.

A grant from the Petplan Charitable Trust would enable us to install a fully equipped veterinary surgery on site. This will allow us to carry out essential procedures like neutering and dental work—the most common treatments needed by the animals in our care. In the near future, we plan to provide subsidised veterinary treatment for our local community.

The Sanctuary’s annual veterinary costs average £200,000, with animals arriving every week in urgent need of care. An on-site veterinary surgery will reduce ongoing costs, minimise stress for our animals, and ensure we can continue into the future, helping heal broken hearts, broken limbs and broken spirits.

A Dental Suite
Dental disease is one of the most common welfare issues in dogs and cats. We will use the grant to build a dental suite which will allow us to treat more animals with timely preventative care thereby preventing chronic pain, infection, reduced appetite and poor quality of life.

This will additionally improve adoption outcomes - good dental health is essential for successful rehoming . A modern suite reduces delays caused by untreated dental issues. Healthier animals are adopted faster and have better long term outcomes.

A new dental suite will also increase access for vulnerable pet owners - cost-of-living pressures make dental care unaffordable for many. Expanded services will enable low cost or free procedures for owners in hardship. This will help ease financial strain while promoting responsible pet ownership.

An Equine Wellness Wing
The Hugs Foundation is thrilled to have the chance to win this life-changing grant! We want to make a transformational redevelopment of our isolation and veterinary facilities to create the Equine Wellness Wing, giving rescued horses, ponies and donkeys the safest, calmest and most natural environment for recovery.

The isolation will become a South West hub to support collaborative rescues with other charities. Upgrades include biosecure paddocks, surfaced tracks, sheltered handling and treatment areas and a multi-use dry turnout space to improve welfare, faster rehabilitation and disease prevention.

Since 2017, we’ve rescued 238 equines and supported over 1,100 young people. Your vote will help more animals thrive, find loving homes and allow people to benefit from the unique bond with rescue equines, working alongside each other in joint rehabilitation programmes.

Cattery Maternity Unit
The grant will enable us to create a purpose-built maternity wing specifically for pregnant cats and newborn kittens arriving at Raystede in vulnerable circumstances. The new cat maternity wing, which will meet modern welfare and infection control standards, will significantly improve the care we can give to cats and kittens during the most critical stage of their lives.

The new maternity unit will enable our veterinary and animal care teams to monitor labour safely and intervene quickly, should complications arise. Mothers and kittens will benefit from a warm, calm and hygienic environment where they can recover, bond and grow in the weeks after birth. Ultimately, the project will help ensure that vulnerable cats and their kittens receive the best possible start before moving on to safe and loving homes.

People and Pets Crisis Van
This grant will fund a dedicated electric multi-purpose van, helping us protect dogs and cats when they are most vulnerable and ensuring they can stay with the people who love them. The vehicle will transport our animal care staff, veterinary professionals, and essential equipment to community outreach clinics—local sessions held in accessible settings where we provide free health checks, parasite treatment, microchipping, welfare advice, and distribute neutering vouchers and emergency veterinary support vouchers.

It will also be used to transport pets to and from veterinary appointments and to safe, temporary foster homes through our Pet Safe Space service, as well as distributing food to our pet food bank collection points. Together, these services provide a lifeline for owners facing financial hardship, poor mental health, or domestic abuse.

By enabling us to continue delivering vital preventative care and emergency support, this project ensures pets remain healthy, safe, and out of avoidable suffering—while keeping them connected to the people who love and rely on them most.