About Us

Welcome!

7th Heaven Animal Rescue Trust, a non-profit registered charity, was set up in March 2003, by a group united by their common love and dedication to animals. Northern Ireland has the highest rate of stray, abused and abandoned animals in the UK, with many more destroyed here than in any other area. With this in mind, we were compelled to form a new charity, one whose Trustees would devote their time to caring for, loving and re-homing all the unwanted and abandoned animals that would come through our doors.

What makes us unique

1. We do not have a central sanctuary.

Instead we care for the animals in our own homes. This means we have no overheads and the animals get much more care and attention. Chosing an animal to offer it a new home, or handing over an animal to 7th Heaven is by appointment only.

2. We have no paid staff

None of our trustees or volunteers get paid anything. As much as possible, all money goes directly towards the welfare and upkeep of the animals.

3. Our trustees get involved in every aspect of the charity's work

There are no sub-committees or fundraising committees. Every trustee gets involved in the hard work of fundraising, taking in animals and trying to find them a home.

4. Our trustees will in emergency go out and collect the animal

Callers who are elderly or who have no form of transport may not be able to bring a sick or injured animal to us. In exceptional circumstances we will try to go to them instead.

5. We provide a 'Home to Home' Service

We keep a list of people who want a specific type of animal. If a person then contacts us wanting to re-home that type of animal, we will put both parties in touch with each other. This means that the animal will not have to suffer any more unnecessary stress as it can go directly into their new home.

6. We will take referrals from other sanctuaries

We do not believe in a 'them and us' ethos. All animals deserve the best standard of care and this can only be achieved if all the charities co-operate with each other. We should all be striving towards the same goal of assisting animals in need.

7. We will advertise other people's animals that need re-homed on our website

All animals are equal, whether it happens to be under the care of 7th Heaven or still with an owner who can no longer cope with it.

8. We will not refuse to home an animal to a specific area

Potential owners will not be judged by their postcode, but by their suitability and dedication to the animal. When the trustees invite the would-be owners into their home, they will assess them by what they say, but more importantly, by their interaction with the animal. We believe that observing potential owners, rather than a questionnaire, is the best way to evaluate their suitability.

9. We will always follow up when the animal is due to be neutered

Because of this, we have an almost 100% success rate of our animals being neutered

10. Most importantly of all, we do not charge for our animals

We believe that an animal is not a commodity to be bought or sold. They are sensitive creatures that deserve our respect.