RESCUE CHARITY THOUGHTS ON THIS?

I agree, I mean who honestly thinks running a holiday home alongside a 'sanctuary' is a good idea... surely thats eating up funds!
Among many other things, just after seeing that on their website, im a little stumped!
 
Surely it would be impossible to care for all those animals properly? Like someone else said, there must be animals there that are neglected, they can't possibly monitor each individual animal.
The cows and sheep are possibly more accustomed to living out 24/7 although in this weather, farmers usually keep cows in over winter if only to save the land getting trashed. They would need more feed if kept out as well.
Not all horses/ponies are equiped to stay out 24/7, even if they have well sheltered fields, some would need rugs - how could they possibly check that all the horses were comfortable??
It sound like madness and I am very concerned about the welfare of that number of animals.
 
Beau jangles said:
Sell the sheep and cows for meat after all that's what they are bred for in Britain !
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My understanding is Hillside rescue dogs are fed a vegetarian diet, because those in charge believe it is cruel to slaughter animals for consumption.
I don't know this for sure, but it was a fairly reliable source who told me.

Someone tried to give an unridable horse to tem last year - fortunately Hillside got strangles and I persuaded owner to PTS, for which I feel no guilt what so ever - poor horse ad a lucky escape. "Rescue" centres like this make me cross - if all the donations to these jokers went to WHW, they could do much more good for welfare
 
Im not sure in this case but it seems alot of these so called "rescue" centers are based on a limited grasp of reality , by well meaning people and sometimes nut jobs .. difficult to critisise when so many pet and animal owners cannot or will not make the right desision for their unwanted or sick animals wont PTS and then pass the problem on to others ... we all have our part to play and should take responsibilty for our actions...
 
From a similar but undated plea for more funds, I've just drawn the attached;

" Thankfully, up until now, our suppliers have been understanding of our situation but, we realise that they cannot afford to support us any longer. Crisis point was reached when we received a letter from our vets suggesting that, to save us from going further in the red, they put to sleep any animals needing critical care instead of treating them. As you can imagine, this is unthinkable."


"Unthinkable"? Unthinkable to ignore the advice of a competent and qualified Veterinary practice? Actually, they're probably right, can you imagine the effect that listening to sound advice would have upon their fund raising?

And these people expect the respect and support of the public? Really?

Alec.
 
The more I look at Hillside the more concerning it is, rescue dogs fed a Vegan diet? dogs are designed to eat meat for heavens sake! is this not a welfare issue in itself not allowing an animal to show natural behaviour, by eating its natural diet? amongst many other things what are these people actually trying to do apart from putting their own personal views above the views of all the animals they 'rescue' and from where I am seeing it compromise their welfare and natural way of life how on earth do they look after all these animals? do they get one to one attention? as for the farm animals they have, agree with Alec on that one, like it or not cattle, sheep, pigs are bred to eat etc, if we all stopped eating them they would not exist at all. How many of these animals need veterinary attention I wonder, if they finding it hard to pay feed bills, it will also be difficult to pay vet bills and with that many animals, with some aged there would be problems:mad: very concerned about this 'sanctury'
 
Alec Swan said:
From a similar but undated plea for more funds, I've just drawn the attached;

" Thankfully, up until now, our suppliers have been understanding of our situation but, we realise that they cannot afford to support us any longer. Crisis point was reached when we received a letter from our vets suggesting that, to save us from going further in the red, they put to sleep any animals needing critical care instead of treating them. As you can imagine, this is unthinkable."


"Unthinkable"? Unthinkable to ignore the advice of a competent and qualified Veterinary practice? Actually, they're probably right, can you imagine the effect that listening to sound advice would have upon their fund raising?

And these people expect the respect and support of the public? Really?

Alec.
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So what happens when they don't pay their bills, will they be bankrupt, and then who sorts out the animals? Agree with you can not respect or agree with their approach.
 
Adopter said:
I had not realised Hillside /Redwings link, I never supported Redwings in the days when they did not rehome.
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I don't think the two charities are linked nowadays. I may be incorrect, but I believe it was the founder of Redwings who left and formed Hillside.

Has anyone ever visited Hillside on one of their open days? I'm almost tempted to go, just to see what it is really like there.
 
alma said:
Re how can they look after 750 horses, I believe Redwings have more than 1200
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Thoughts

Hillside do not loan out so continue to grow, there is one lady trying to get her horse back from Hillside and having no success (the horse became a welfare case out on loan and it took the owner a long time to find it)

Hillside took in the Shires from Bolton area, when you see what Vicky Fowler has achieved with Hope, I find it sad that the others are just ''existing''

Hillside and Redwings are totally separate

Did Hillside really need to spend money importing East European Dogs?
 
Are they the ones that have a visitor centre in North Norfolk. If it is I have visited there and had a few head-wall moments when reading some of their propaganda - e.g. the rabbits that were rescued from being killed for meat
 
Alec Swan said:
Is it just me, or would others agree, that with the larger animal welfare charities, they reach a certain size, and then rather like the subjects of Orwell's Animal Farm, the idea overtakes the cause, and the subjects of the charity concerned, become of a secondary interest?



Alec.
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That is the fate of anything,club,charity ,whatever..why politics even!:D
 
SusannaF said:
The charities commission require particular guidelines to be followed. For one thing, I don't think Hillside could do the level of political campaigning they do and legally be a charity.
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An animal welfare charity CAN do 'political' campaigning as long as it is about their main purpose (i.e. animal welfare!) Look at the RSPCA!! What they cannot do is show political bias to any political party.

I suspect the reason Hillside is NOT a charity is because its founder wants to stay in control of it! Redwings became a charity and presumably - with a number of trustees having a say - the founder got the elbow. Redwings used not be able to rehome - but they put a good case to the Charity Commissioners and were able to change that part of their Articles.
 
As a matter of interest, how much land do the two rescue centres on this thread have? Am I right in understanding one has 1200 horses, and then Hillside have 750 horse in addition to goats, rabbits, cattle etc.... They would need a lot of land to keep the horses, without considering the rest of the animals.:confused:
 
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Someone commented asking why they don't rehome any animals and got absolutely jumped on various times :confused:

Ok, this 'charity' is 'rescueing' cattle. Cattle = food. Send them to slaughter. Keeping all that cattle for the sake of keeping cattle is barmy.

Having that many horses and not rehoming them is bloody stupid. Surely the idea of a rescue is to take on horses that are in need of rescueing, working with them and finding them a loving home where they will receive plenty of love and attention by owners that can afford, both financially and time-wise, to take care of them?

So basically, they are just a group of people with far too many pets that expect others to pay for said pets. They obviously can't afford vet fees if they can't afford hay. When was the last time all 750 horses had the farrier? or worming? or teeth?

Oddest grounds for a charity I've come across in a very long time. If anyone wants to back a horse charity can I suggest Prince Fluffy Kareem or WHW?

I, for one, fancy a few more horses. I can't afford the hay though, so you lot will have to fund it. Vets fees, farrier fees, etc will just have to whistle.
 
I presume that redwings continue to own the horses they re-home, so although they have so many on paper I doubt that they actually have the horses there physically. Redwings also offer education and advice to horse owners who are having problems. I doubt if Hillside can offer any sensible advice to anyone regarding horse welfare.
 
I have been following Redwings, WHW, Blue Cross and others on Facebook, they are all offering horse and ponies for rehomeing having spent time at their rehoming centres for training, recovery etc.

Redwings does seem to be a very big concern, but they also have their own vets who give lectures etc to inform others.

I have visited the Blue Cross Rehoming Centre at Rolleston, they have open afternoons every week, and you can see all the horses and ponies in the yard, and in the fields.

According to NFU countryside mag, 6 of the equine charities working together for the current horse rehoming crisis have had recognition for their work. Hillside were not part of the group.
 
Redwings have over 1300 horses but many different sites to keep them on.
Hillside has over 2000 animals in their care (according to website) and I don't think they have anywhere near the same amount of land that Redwings does, so I have no idea how they would manage that many animals, 700 being horses.

I dislike the fact that I once contacted them asking if they had any jobs, they loved the sound of me with my experience, until I said I had been hunting while working in a racing yard (never took part just went as a groom really) they may aswell have hung up on me. Fair enough they have strong opinions on things, but just because I worked in racing does not mean I am an animal abuser.
 
I now have emails and through the post newsletters from Hillside after signing their Turners petition (and I absolutely believe that Turners is a shambles and needs to be shut) but thats as maybe,

why don't Hillside rehome?
If they can email supporters, why spend money needlessly on snail mail and paper?

And, I wondered, why do they not take in and rehome cats? Is it because they cannot exist on a vegetarian or vegan diet? Do any of the Hillside lot run cars? Have they all found vegan tyres?

Weird, I supported their petition but won't support their ongoing 'charity'.
 
Adopter said:
I have been following Redwings, WHW, Blue Cross and others on Facebook, they are all offering horse and ponies for rehomeing having spent time at their rehoming centres for training, recovery etc.

According to NFU countryside mag, 6 of the equine charities working together for the current horse rehoming crisis have had recognition for their work. Hillside were not part of the group.
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Assume you mean National Equine Welfare council--full membership for registered charities only and Hillside choose not to be registered

http://www.newc.co.uk/members/eligibility-criteria/
 
RebelRebel said:
A quick look at their accounts (Redwings) their income in last financial year was nearly £9 million :eek: They have £24 million in reserve :eek::eek:
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Yep, Redwings don't do anything they can't afford. And their facilities are incredible. I had a tour of their HQ and saw the vet surgery, the retraining barn, the "intensive care" area and acres of post and rail fencing. They have (I think) a couple of fulltime vets and a dozen or so vet nurses, and Rossdales on hand if they can't deal with something in their own surgery. It's impressive.
 
Was very sad again today and looked at the Hillside page, changed the pic to a very old Bull they 'rescued' and still begging for money and food? Yes I think I was very silly when I first thought this group were sensible! they still have the petition about shutting Turners down on there? was shut a few weeks ago wasn't it? If I thought about the term pulling your hair out I for one would be bald by now!
 
I read only recently on this forum that this charity could do no wrong when people were slating a certain other one! Now it seems they're not such a fantastic charity after all? I'm rather astounded at what I've read here. I agree for once with Alec Swan!!
 
Did you see the item in H&H news that a 48hr foal found in river in east London, been taken in to be hand reared by Redwings, at least they have the knowledge to help. Poor little thing, how someone could do such a thing is beyond me.
 
Redwings and hillside are no longer connected. It is rumoured that hillsides owner was asked to give up the position at redwings due to financial claims.

Hillside horses are scattered around the Norwich countryside , knee deep in mud until, feb time when they decided to put straw around the hay feeders - however the ones in field down little lanes that the visitors do not see have no where near as much as the others on the main yard.

The fields seem to be full of coloured cob types, lot look young, there are often new ones added weekly and can even been seen in the owners drive way.

The fields down lanes are full of barbed wire and its very sad to see that with some one to one these horses could be knee deep in straw, hay and human attention instead of mud and poo.

They haven't been rescued they are just suffering at the hands of another human who is addicted to buying/owning horses.

They have no grass on their field and there must be at least 20 horses on five acres ...
 
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