Our Mission
To provide a rescue, rehabilitation and re-homing service for abandoned, ill-treated, un-wanted and otherwise homeless animals. To care for them in social accommodation, wherever possible with communal exercise areas. To strive to reduce the number of unwanted and abandoned cats and dogs by ensuring those in our care are neutered, and encouraging other owners to do the same. We aim;-.
- To socialise the un-socialised
- To train the un-trained
- To care for the un-cared
- To love the un-loved
- To nurse back to health the un-healthy
- To re-home our animals into a safe and loving environment
How F.A.I.T.H. Started
It was Christmas 1993 when five dogs were abandoned on Hickling marshes. By January 1994 they had found their way here to Brambly Hedge and F.A.I.T.H. had it’s beginnings. Why F.A.I.T.H.? Well it seemed somewhat appropriate having almost always worked with animals myself and being involved in animal welfare for many years before moving from Kent to Norfolk. Although I had often thought of starting my own Animal Rescue, I had said that I would not do so after I had reached my 40th birthday (as I knew how much it took out of you) I had no thoughts of an Animal Rescue when we moved to Hickling in 1987. Instead I got in touch with a local rescue to offer my occasional help. However, I was unhappy with the location of our house and wanted to move from Hickling, so we put the house on the market and spent many hours looking for a new home. We were unable to find anything suitable and had received no acceptable offers. Then almost three years later and whilst I was away in Kent helping run an Animal Rescue for a friend of mine, we were asked if we would consider a house swap. The exchange offered was still in Hickling, but situated away from the village itself. I was not overjoyed with the prospect but after three years of searching it was a question of take this offer to exchange or remain where we were.
Brambly Hedge had more land than our village home but the house itself was far less impressive. It stood on a three acre plot and had a stable block and some piggeries. We had pet goats and the piggeries were useful for them and I hoped that one day I would have a horse again. Also as a Gardeners World fan I imagined how I could have my garden with it’s many different areas.
Fate had different ideas and the dogs arrived. It came to light some two years later that a couple from a local kennel had viewed this property and had a good look around the area. When their kennels went down they had already surveyed Hickling marshes and knew where they would abandon their dogs.
The dogs arrived over the Christmas and New Year holidays and we were suddenly faced with large vet bills. We sought help via the local newspaper and from that article came calls for us to help other dogs and cats. So a rescue centre was born, Fate or Faith had thrown it’s hand – F.A.I.T.H. (For Animals In Trouble there’s Hope) started in 1994, my 40th year.
FAITH, HOPE AND CHARITY
F.A.I.T.H. is a progressive animal rescue centre, where animal welfare comes first. We believe that their mental health and well being are as important as their physical health.
THE DOG YARD
Dogs are sociable animals so we have kennels where it is possible for the dogs to socialise and play together. You won’t see rows and rows of lonely stressed animals kennelled in isolation, as is often the case when visiting rescue centres, although we do have an isolation block for dogs awaiting health check clearance and veterinary treatment and those needing socialisation.
THE CAT HOUSE
We also have a communal cat house which offers ‘home-from-home’ comforts with sofas, chairs, shelving with hidey holes and a large meshed run with climbing frame, a water feature and toys. We also have isolation cabins for those needing or preferring separate accommodation. These are state of the art enclosed in inclement weather and open sided when weather is fine. Cats are vaccinated not only against flu and enteritis, but also leukemia.
POLICIES
We have a FULL neutering policy which includes all female puppies and kittens too. Puppies and Kittens too young to be neutered will return for neutering at the age of approximately 5 months.
Young males are given a neutering certificate which is acted upon at five months of age. All dogs and cats are wormed, vaccinated and micro chipped, and most leave with four weeks free pet insurance. Home checks are also carried out before anyone is allowed to adopt an animal.
We have a non-destruction policy, with exception to end suffering and then only on veterinary advice. No animal is “put to sleep” simply because it’s too old, too naughty or too difficult. If it’s age or behaviour make it impossible to re-home satisfactorily, then it will remain at F.A.I.T.H. for the rest of it’s life. The bulk of our work is with cats and dogs, but we have and help anything from hamsters to horses.