Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary Reviews Summary

Adoption Process

Pros:

• "If you are interested in adopting one if the animals you will be house checked 1st to make sure you are suitable but then you get to adopt."
• "We’ve adopted a couple a dogs from Bleakholt Over the years and two Guinea pigs."
• "They took us through the process of adopting a cat and gave us advice on looking after a cat and what was involved."
• "Adopt, don't shop. Bleakholt have many lovely animals waiting for a forever home."
• "We have adopted a little kitten from here and the staff have made the experience puurrrfect."
• "All the support received from the sanctuary has been amazing and we feel blessed to have been given Leo his forever home."
• "Highly recommended if you're looking to rescue a cat, dog or other small animal."

Cons:

• "It's nice for a visit - but trying to adopt from there is a nightmare."
• "Communication between members of staff none existent. We were told different info by different staff regarding adoption days."
• "Well laid out animals seem well cared for but application process is a bit long winded rather disappointed that they don't tell you that you've not been successful."
• "Called yesterday regarding a dog was told we could come visit him as he wasn't reserved... The staff we very rude and did not apologise for not been giving the correct information when we questioned it."
• "I was the first to register an interest in a puppy... On the fourth visit I was told that the dog had been allocated to a young family."
• "Unfortunately the adoption process is not clear, I applied to adopt a dog, never had feedback or contact."
• "Home visit never happened. We were told somebody 'used Google maps' and confirmed details about our location that were not true."

Staff and Service

Pros:

• "The staff really care for the animals there, fell in love with a puppy."
• "The staff are all really friendly and helpful, and you can tell they genuinely care about all the animals."
• "I have volunteered here in the past and the staff are welcoming and appreciative of your time."
• "The care and compassion shown to the animals is outstanding, the staff know the animals inside out."
• "The staff work really hard and are run off their feet."
• "The staff are very friendly and helpful. They really look after the animals as if they were their own."
• "The staff there are so helpful and kind and understanding."

Cons:

• "Twice I have encountered Bleakholt and twice I have come across RUDE staff."
• "Sanctuary is seemed to be run by power tripping staff who discriminate on where you live."
• "The staff we saw today were very unfriendly and unapproachable."
• "Staff office person abrupt and rude."
• "It seems to be an ongoing thing with their members of staff having no manners and being rude."
• "No communication skills whatsoever, unfriendly and unclear."
• "This colleague, and I will not name names, was very abrupt and seemed very aggravated and annoyed that we didn't adopt this little kitty."

Facilities and Accessibility

Pros:

• "The charity is based in a rural setting. Disabled access is good around the site."
• "Lovely place, took my mum in a wheelchair to look at the pooches and it was wheelchair friendly and we managed to get round easily."
• "Facilities clean and stocked. Shop on site had lovely little gifts and knowing that the money spent helps the shelter is awesome."
• "Toilets are also available on site."
• "The cafe is a little gem run by volunteers, food lovely and homemade cakes are gorgeous."
• "Found it very clean. Home for the older cats was lovely. Can go in and sit with them. Brush them. Very well looked after."
• "It's a bit difficult for walking round if you're disabled but you can park right in the centre."

Cons:

• "Drove an hour to this place to drop about £70 worth of donations off and I imagine the animals will appreciate the treats more than the girl in reception with barely even a thank you."
• "It depends who is in reception as to whether your donations are met with a 'thank you' or not though."
• "Unfortunately I lost my dog recently and he had loads of toys and a bed that he didn't use. I phoned up and asked if they would be interested. Lady on the phone was very enthusiastic. On arrival just told to leave them on the floor. No thanks or anything."
• "Very sad to say that a dog was dropped off after being abused and signed over by owner, due to multiple issues and they did take him but a beautiful bed, toys he had loved since being rescued staff refused to take."
• "There is a cafe on-site too which is great if you aren't vegan/dairy-free. I asked if they did dairy free milk and was gawped at by 5 women behind the counter, who all said they had never heard of it."
• "They are undergoing construction on some new kennels I assume was bit of an eyesore."
• "Not very child friendly at all, my son was scolded by a member of staff when it wasn’t her place."

Animal Welfare

Pros:

• "The sanctuary is home to over 450 animals, including dogs, cats, horses, pigs, goats, rabbits and more."
• "I love this place its sad to see all the dogs and cats but they are so well kept and cared for."
• "Animals come microchipped, flead, vaccinated, etc."
• "Animals very well looked after and clean."
• "A much needed and loved animal sanctuary. The staff love their jobs and work hard to try to find new homes for the animals in their care."
• "The ponys & farm animals are all so well fed & cared for."
• "The animals were in good condition and well cared for."

Cons:

• "Bleakholt animal sanctuary never picked up on a heart condition that my dog had."
• "Thought I’d have a quick look at some of the dogs available on the website…1 or two spoke out however they had really serious issues…one bit his owner and could only be given to an only adult pet free home."
• "Bleakholt vets should check the dogs more thoroughly."
• "I get your doing a really good thing but paying £100+ for a really old dog needing constant financial care is just silly…no wonder there are so many animals in shelters."
• "Customer service was less than optimal."
• "I was looking for a pair of or a single kitten for my my kitten who recently lost his mate who was being neutered and lost her under anaesthetic when being fixed, exchanged a few emails to back and forth then to get a rude and unprofessional response back."
• "After the visit, I felt sadder because I didn't go home with someone."