2018 North West Enterprise Awards

22 SME NEWS / NorthWest Enterprise Awards 2018 , Carlisle based Oak Tree Animals’ Charity cares for a wide range of domestic animals, providing themwith a safe spacewhere they can live until a newsituation is found for them. To find out more, we spoke to Caroline Johnson, who provides us with a fascinating insight into the organisation and the work it undertakes. Best Animal Welfare Charity 2018 community, providing practical animal welfare support, advice and education where it is most needed. Caroline outlines how far the charity has come over the years and how it now works alongside the wider community to enhance our understanding about animals, as well as directly supporting a range of creatures. “Until recently we were known as the National Equine and Smaller Animals Defence League (Animals’ Refuge) but following our incorporation we took the opportunity to rebrand with a name that reflects our site, our heritage, our constant growth as an organisation and our steadfastness to make a difference to the lives of animals Established in 1909 by Francis Cox with Winston Churchill, Jack London, Jerome K Jerome and James Keir Hardie, Oak Tree Animals’ Charity has been helping animals in need for over 109 years. This illustrious group of patrons created a charity that supports a range of animals and provides them with the highest possible standards of care. Today, Oak Tree works primarily with horses, dogs and cats, rehabilitating and finding new forever homes, helping hundreds of animals every year. The organisation believes that every animal matters and also work pro-actively at the heart of the and their owners. Our work in the community means that loving pet owners can find the information and resources they need to keep their animals happy, healthy and in good homes. We also support unowned animals, such as feral cats through our Trap Neuter Return (TNR) programme. “Alongside our work directly involving animals, we also use educational campaigns to raise awareness and change perceptions, hoping to provide a brighter future for animals in all walks of society. Our team speaks to schools, community groups and colleges about animal welfare and offers advice on working with animals in the future, investing in our younger generations and providing them with the knowledge they need to help animals in the long term.” It is the charity’s long history of excellence in animal rehoming, rescuing and rehabilitation that has led it to the success it enjoys today. Caroline explores the benefits of this and how the organisation remains committed to enhancing its skillset. “At Oak Tree, our heritage is a big factor that sets us apart from other charities. Our community work and proactive approach is the other, as our community team provide owners with practical support and advice. We have developed working relationships with organisations in the local area including housing associations, social care providers, health care services, local councils, partner charities and foodbanks in a bid to support members of our community and their animals who may be struggling, keeping pets and owners together wherever possible and appropriate. We offer a number of services aimed at those who may find themselves in unexpected financial hardship such as neutering, microchipping, behaviour advice and essential pet food and equipment. Our sessions are often carried out alongside our partners such as Carlisle Foodbank and local vets.” Working both directly with animals, and with the humans who care for them, the charity is able to work towards reducing the number of abandoned or pets in need of improved care, as Caroline highlights. “Rehoming is intrinsically reactive. For an animal to be relinquished a relationship has broken down, causing stress to both animal and human. Rehoming services will unfortunately always be needed, however as an animal charity we firmly believe our job is also to be proactive, to stop these relationships breaking down and preventing unnecessary stress to animal and owner. Whether this be through advice about correct pet choice, neutering support, behaviour and training support and many others, our community work is so vital to improving animal welfare in our region.” With the charity approaching a milestone birthday, Caroline has Oak Tree Animals’ Charity NWE18012