Furlock Holmes Animal Rescue, Hampshire

Based in Whitchurch, Hampshire, Furlock Holmes is one of the largest rabbit and small animal rescue centres in the county.

 

CommunityAd had the pleasure of speaking with Charity and Operations Manager Eleanor Bell about this wonderful charity…

 

How long have Furlock Holmes been running and can you inform readers of how and why you first started this wonderful charity?

Furlock Holmes has been running for 5 years and started when I was 17, after I was sadly unwell with severe depression when studying A levels and had to drop out of sixth form. For as long as I can remember, I have been at my happiest when surrounded by animals and have always formed connections with animals a lot faster than with people, so no one was surprised when I turned to the comfort of animals in such a difficult time.

The rescue actually started when I decided a pet rabbit would be a great addition to my family’s menagerie, but my parents did not want the long-term commitment as they knew I would one day grow up and move out – little did they know what would happen next!

Instead of adopting, I was given permission to foster rabbits for other local rescues. This soon became my full-time hobby and I had requests to take people’s rabbits coming in faster than I could keep up.

I went from having a maximum of 5 rabbits at a time to a maximum of 10, then 30 and so on. Thus, Furlock Holmes begun! I studied online to find out how to set up a registered charity and also to learn more about rabbit welfare. We then became a registered charity when I was 18 years old, in August 2018.

 

Can you explain what your overall ethos is? 

Furlock Holmes is dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming domestic animals, and we strive to inspire and educate others to improve the lives of animals worldwide. We aim to make immediate and lasting changes to animals in need and work with local vets and organisations to do so. We specialise in rabbits in particular as we found them to be one of the most misunderstood and under-appreciated species of pet in the UK.

We believe in a world where the lives of animals are respected and where they are free from cruelty and suffering. We aim to bring people together in order to create the important changes needed to protect animals. We fight animal cruelty and protect animal rights through our advocacy, education and rescue efforts. Furlock Holmes is currently working on two campaigns: “Make Me a Promise” which is to encourage people to consider the commitment that comes with pet ownership, and “Pets, Not Property” which is to change the way in which pets are currently viewed by law.

 

What would you say have been the most rewarding experiences you have experienced at Furlock Holmes? 

It is hard to say what the most rewarding experiences have been at Furlock Holmes, as watching the transformation of every single animal we rescue is rewarding in its own way. One animal in particular, however, would be our lovely Frodo, who came from the most appalling conditions where he had spent his first 11 years. Frodo is a rabbit we never thought would survive for long, due to the trauma and neglect he had suffered. Despite his age and varying health conditions, Frodo has been doted on by the team at Furlock Holmes and is now approaching his 16th birthday.

It is so rewarding to see an animal arrive in such a horrendous state, but then grow to trust us and settle into a much better life. Something I find especially rewarding is receiving updates from animals adopted from us, and seeing how loved and happy they are in their new homes. When an animal has a happy ending, it inspires me to start the journey all over again with the next animal in need.

 

Can you explain to readers why they should come to you if they are looking to adopt rabbits and small animals as opposed to breeders?

Having picked up the pieces after pet shops and breeders have made mistakes, we can only beg people to be careful about where they get their rabbits from. Are they correctly sexed? Have they been health-checked? Are they the right pet for my family? One of the main benefits of adopting a rabbit rather than buying from a pet shop or breeder is that our rabbits all come fully health-checked, vaccinated and neutered and with life-time advice and backup. Not only this, but we know our animals inside and out, so can guide you towards the animals we feel are best suited to you and your situation.

 

As one of the largest rabbit and small animal rescue centres in the county, are you looking for volunteers and if so how can readers enquire? 

With well over 100 animals on site, there is always work to do and we couldn’t carry out the work of the rescue without our fantastic team of volunteers! There are various volunteer roles available, including animal care assistants, fundraisers and team leaders. No two days are ever the same at Furlock Holmes – one day you may be tending to a new arrival with a broken leg, the next you may be doing a rabbit photoshoot for the website, then the next you might be at one of our fundraisers! We are always keen for volunteers aged 18+, although we do take on younger volunteers from aged 14+ following a successful trial period. Any volunteers under 14 must have a parent/guardian volunteering with them! For more information, please do get in touch and send an email to [email protected].

 

Find out more about the amazing animal rescue Furlock Holmes via their website and keep up to date by following their Facebook @furlockholmesanimalcare.

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