About Oak Tree Animals' Charity
Oak Tree provides a safe place for cats, dogs and equines in their time of need. We look to rehome dogs, cats, and equines and work to support good, long-term healthy relationships between animals and their owners out in the community.
Our Vision
... is a world where understanding and empathy ensure that all animals are treated with kindness and respect.
Our Mission
... is to be a centre of excellence for the improvement of animal welfare in our region, proactively supporting animals and encouraging people to prioritise animal welfare through our community programmes, advocacy and rehoming services.
Our Values
- We are proud to be non-judgemental and compassionate in our approach to animals and the people who care for them.
- We are proactive and value our work with partner organisations to find effective and evidence-based approaches to animals welfare.
- We aim to find the right home for the animals in our care, providing ongoing support and advice to ensure life-long partnerships.
- We strive to be innovative, flexible and responsive to meet the needs of animals and our community in changing times.
Founded in 1909 by Francis Cox, who campaigned for better working conditions for pit ponies and other working horses, the Charity has now grown to provide a home for equines and goats. It’s also a safe haven for abandoned or relinquished dogs and cats who are awaiting new homes through our Adoption Programme.
Every year Oak Tree takes in hundreds of animals and gives them a second chance. We rehabilitate the animals, but we also prepare potential owners for life with a new companion and offer the help and support necessary for both animal and owner to live a long and happy life together. 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.
We 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.
You can help the animals in our care by adopting, volunteering, fundraising, donating and paying a visit to our Tearoom and our Amazon Wishlist! You can also help by coming to our events!
Tackling Feral Cats - Thank you!
I cannot tell you how incredibly helpful Oak Tree has been and what their wonderful and efficient work means to us. For years our feral cat ...
Make sure you visit Oak Tree
We visited a few times after deciding to get a pet cat from an animal refuge. There is a very nice cafe, shop & helpful staff that ...
Thank you!
Amazing place what else can I say you all do an excellent job xxx Marie Foster
You clearly do everything you can to ensure 100% your animals are homed responsibly.
I have just adopted our Patterdale x Bess she is a wonderful dog with the power to separate son from x box daughter from laptop and added a ...
Can't recommend highly enough!
Fantastic charity with hard working dedicated staff looking to give animals another chance and forever home. Can't recommend highly enough! ...
Well done everyone!
We adopted our gorgeous cat from here a couple of years ago when it was the 'Animal Refuge' and before it changed hands. I recently had a tour ...
Staff were amazing, supportive and very helpful
We adopted our dog Neesha from Oak Tree on the 25th August. The staff were amazing, supportive and very helpful. They explained the whole process ...
Community Education School Visit
Thank you so much for your visit today - all of the staff were saying how great you both were with the children and how much they got out of ...
Carlisle Op Shops Appreciate Oak Tree's Support
"I wanted to say how much we appreciate the attitude you and Holly have shown towards the people in our communities and how it has made a real ...