Newcomers Galore: An Overwhelming Intake at Woodlands Animal Sanctuary

Woodlands – The one where they got guinea pigs in again, 9 cats became 10 and 7 hungry mums need feeding.

So. No one told you life was gonna be this way. clap clap clap clap

Over the last fortnight, Woodlands has been busier than Central Perk on a Monday morning, welcoming 32 new animals through their doors — including, 6 guinea pigs on one day and just 3 days later, 10 cats that should have only been 9.

The guinea pigs deserve a special mention, because honestly? The team have missed them. It's been over 12 months since these gloriously dramatic little creatures — who communicate exclusively through squeaks, zoomies, and what can only be described as Interpretive Wheeks — graced Woodlands with their presence. They're back, they're settling in beautifully, and they're ready to meet their forever families. One may have even found their family already. We see you, you fast movers.

Now, those 10 cats from one loving home.  Their home had lots of love to give but didn't understand the implications of not neutering their beloved pets; resulting in multi generations of kittens of all ages...and two of the older kittens are, as they say, expecting. Which means that 10 cats will, in the coming weeks, potentially become anywhere up to 20.  Their love life definitely wasn’t DOA & the team have whizzed past second gear.  Add to that the 5 other pregnant/mum cats currently in residence — all of whom have very discerning taste and insist on Royal Canin Mother & Baby Mousse, thank you very much — and the team are currently getting through just over 9 tins of the stuff every single day. Nutrition is so important for expectant mums, and their babies, & Woodlands will not compromise.

Every single newcomer will be vet checked before even thinking about their happy ever after. Those who aren't quite ready will stay for as long as they need — because Woodlands doesn't do deadlines when it comes to wellbeing. And anyone needing a little extra medical support, above and beyond the standard flea and worm treatments, will get exactly what they need. No compromises.

All of this keeps the Animal Care team running at the pace of Ross, when he was “FINE” whilst quietly keeping nearly 100 animals fed, loved, and cared for.

And then there's Olaf.

When Olaf arrived at Woodlands with his mum Ana and his sister Elsa, someone on the team clearly couldn't resist — and honestly, we respect the commitment to the theme. Named after the loveable snowman from Frozen, Olaf has always had a flair for the dramatic. But this week, he outdid himself. Rather than simply letting it go, Olaf decided to stage a full Disney-worthy crisis and was rushed into emergency surgery for a compacted gut — a procedure expected to cost over £1,000.

We're pleased to report that unlike his namesake, Olaf does not require freezing to survive. He does, however, require your support.

Which, as you might imagine, is where you come in.

The fundraising team work relentlessly to make sure the money is there to back up the care — but with 32 new arrivals, a maternity ward filling up fast, and a post-operative goat to nurse back to health, every donation, share, or tin of mousse makes a very real difference.

If you can help — whether that's a donation, a food donation, or simply sharing this story — please visit www.woodlandsanimalsanctuary.org.uk or find Woodlands Animal Sanctuary on social media.  Because when is hasn’t been their day, their week, their month or even their year, Woodlands will be there, like they’ve been before.

So, at Woodlands, the one where they all find their happy ending is always the episode they're working towards. 🐾