Paws Here

Sponsor A Rescue Pet
Sponsor a rescue pet

When rescue pets come to stay with us they fall into two categories. The first is pets who will stay for a few weeks until they are settled in, and then be available for people to adopt. The second is pets who are too old or ill or who have temperament issues and therefore are unlikely to ever be rehomed – these pets live out the rest of their days here with us or in foster homes.

For a while now we've been considering offering pet sponsorship, as many friends of Paws Here would like to help a rescue pet but are not in a position to offer one of them a home.

We are therefore happy to be offering two types of sponsorship.

The first is a traditional, longer term sponsorship which involves sponsoring one of those special pets who will remain with us for the rest of their lives.

The second is a shorter term sponsorship, where you can sponsor one of our pets that is available for adoption but, for one reason or another, has had trouble finding a new home and has therefore been with us for a while with no prospect of a forever home.

We currently have rabbits, rats, guinea pigs, hamsters and mice available to sponsor, in various categories. Have a look at our permanent residents and our available pets for more details, or to choose a pet to sponsor.

Pet Sponsoring FAQs

What does the sponsorship money pay for?

The sponsorship money goes towards the pet's food, bedding, and veterinary costs. It also allows us to give pets extra treats, fresh veggies, toys and other enrichment items.

What do I get for sponsoring a pet?

You will get a monthly email with updates on your pet, photos of them, and a special message from them to you. Alternatively this can be posted, although we will ask that you cover the cost of posting it to you. Your name also appears on the website as the official sponsor of the pet.

Can I sponsor a pet in someone else's name?

Yes, gift sponsorships are definitely fine by us. Just let us know the name and email address of the person you would like to give the sponsorship to so we can send them their monthly emails. We will send a copy of the emails to each of you unless you ask us not to.

What happens if the pet I choose gets adopted?

If you sponsor one of our shorter term residents then they may be adopted. This is great news for the pet, as it means they will go to a forever home where they can have lots more attention than it is possible for us to give them. We will let you know straight away by email if this happens, and the sponsorship of the pet will then end.

How is the sponsorship money collected?

Unfortunately we don't have the facility to collect sponsorship payments by direct debit, so we ask that you make a monthly donation by clicking on the “donate” button and entering a note with the pet's name so we know that is your sponsorship donation. You can use our monthly email as a reminder that your sponsorship donation is due.

For long term sponsorship you can set up a standing order with your bank or building society. Just let us know in an email if you would like to do this.

Can I request specific items for my pet?

Yes, feel free to let us know if there is something specific you'd like your pet to have. It won't always be possible for us to arrange this, but we'll try our best. You can also buy your pet a treat or toy by clicking on “give me a gift” on their page.

Can I get my pet a gift and send it in?

Yes, that would be really lovely! You can donate food, treats, bedding, toys etc for your sponsored pet. You can either post this to us (clearly marked with the pet's name) or bring it in in person.

Can I come and visit my pet?

Yes, feel free to come in to Paws Here any time during our opening hours to say hello to your pet. Some of our rescue pets are in foster homes, so it is worth calling or emailing first to check whether they will be here.

What if I want to cancel my sponsorship?

You can do this at any time just by letting us know in an email, letter or phone call and stopping your donations.

I would like to help a pet but cannot sponsor one at this time. Is there anything I can do?

Yes, there are many things you can do! You can buy pets a gift such as a treat or toy by clicking on the appropriate button on the pet's page on the website. You can buy a gift for all the pets at paws here, such as special hay or vegetables, by looking at the gifts page. You can send in any food, bedding, toys, treats etc that you no longer want or need, or you can buy an item and post or bring it in to us here. You can help out by volunteering or by fostering a pet. You can support our rescue pets by buying your pet food and accessories here. You can bring in vegetables or scraps of vegetables and feed them to the pets here (this is a lot of fun, especially for children). You can make a donation or hold a fundraising event for Paws Here. Whatever you can do, the pets will be grateful for it.

How much does sponsoring a pet cost?

For sponsorship of a rabbit or guinea pig we usually ask for a donation of Ł10 per month. For a rat we ask for Ł7 per month, and for a hamster or mouse we ask for Ł5 per month. If other types of pets come in, we'll let you know!