From horses to rabbits these 6 animal charities based in North Somerset help take care of the area’s unwanted and neglected pets before finding them their forever homes with people who will love and care for them.

North Somerset Times: North Somerset Branch of RSPCANorth Somerset Branch of RSPCA (Image: Archant)

Between them these six charities look after hundreds of animals seeking forever homes so if can help give one of these animals a home please get in touch with one.

However its not all about offering an animal a home, as like all charities, these sixbelow are always looking for donations, volunteers (from shop keeper to animal keeper – and walker) and ideas for fundraising to allow them to keep on looking after our furry friends right here in North Somerset:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_Ildukcr_U

Holly Hedge Animal Sanctuary – Barrow Gurney

This animal charity began from animal lover Pauline Leeson’s kitchen more than 30 years ago. Thanks to a wealthy local benefactor - Esmi Berni - who donated a large amount of money to the charity in 1992, they were able to open up their current premises in Barrow Gurney. The charity will take in orphaned, abandoned and mistreated dogs, cats, and even rabbits, and will provide a “safe haven” for them until they can find a forever home.www.hollyhedge.org.uk

North Somerset Times: Second Chance Dog Rescue - CongresburySecond Chance Dog Rescue - Congresbury (Image: Archant)

Second Chance Dog Rescue - Congresbury

Kennel owner Matthew founded this dog re-homing charity in a bid to help dogs which were due to be put down after their owners died or the dogs were abandoned by their owners and they had nowhere else to go. New dogs are given a check up by a local vet and assessed for behaviour prior to being put forward for re-homing. The charity is based at Harley Kennels in Congresbury.

North Somerset Times: Bristol and Wales Cat Rescue – NailseaBristol and Wales Cat Rescue – Nailsea (Image: Archant)

Bristol and Wales Cat Rescue – Nailsea

Run by a group of volunteers the charity rescue abandoned, orphaned and badly treated cats and kittens in the area. The volunteers foster the cats in their own homes or gardens until permanent homes can be found for them. This regional cat charity has a shop in Nailsea’s High Street.

North Somerset Times: North Somerset Branch of RSPCANorth Somerset Branch of RSPCA (Image: Archant)

North Somerset Branch of RSPCA

The North Somerset Branch of the RSPCA covers from Nailsea down to Woolavington and across to Wells. There 10 charity shops run by dedicated volunteers and a welfare centre on Locking Road in Weston-super-Mare. In 2006 the branch opened their Animal Centre at Brent Knoll (Telephone: 01278 782671) which can house up to 63 dogs and 44 cats as well as rabbits and anything else that come their way; the majority of which are seeking forever homes. The charity rescue, rehabilitate and rehome a huge variety of dogs, cats and rabbits from lots of different circumstances including strays, cruelty and neglect cases and animals from the local general public.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOtDBkzZ_D8

HorseWorld - Whitchurch

From their base in Whitchurch the charity rescue, rehabilitate and rehome horses, pomes and donkeys that have been abandoned, neglected or ill-treated. Began in 1952, the HorseWorld charity has grown enormously and now has more than 100 horses at its centre, many of which are available for loan to an experienced, loving home. You can also support the charity at its many events, or adopt an animal when you will receive regular updates on how they are doing

Cats Protection Weston-super-Mare

The Weston-super-MareBranch of Cats Protection works in the post code areas of BS21 - BS25, BS48 - BS49 and aims to rescue and rehome unwanted cats, encourage neutering of all cats and provide information to the public on the care of cats and kittens. For an up-to-date list of cats that need forever homes please visit their website. They also have voucher scheme to help people on certain benefits to neuter their cats. Please call 0345 371 2066 for more information.

The branch would love to hear from anyone willing to give some time to help, or who could become a fosterer. There is a waiting list of cats needing to come in, so extra foster homes are always welcome!