Beneath the Wood is an award-winning sanctuary set up by Sasha Bennett in 2009. The sanctuary is based in Wales and provides permanent homes for dogs with behavioural issues, pigs, sheep, cats and horses. Beneath The Wood work with the animals in a positive way to help them overcome any problems and help to build their confidence so they can enjoy life. 

Their resident dogs are not able to be rehomed because of behavioural issues, the sanctuary works to rehabilitate them by alleviating their problems. Red (formally called Tyson) was rescued from Kent Police where he was facing destruction after being seized due to avoidable bite incidents. He was traumatised and scared after his past and the situations he had been in. Just like the pigs, Red was given a second chance at life by Sasha and the team offering a forever home. He is slowly gaining confidence and learning to relax, now even enjoying regular belly rubs from Sasha! 

In early 2019 Beneath the Wood undertook an epic rescue that would prove to be the largest reversal of a destruction order placed on animals from the animal agriculture industry in the United Kingdom. After a government raid on Bramble Hall Farm in Pembrokeshire, an illegal slaughterhouse was discovered and all of the animals there were found to be in an appalling state, with many close to death.

Fifty three pigs were put under a destruction order as they were deemed to be “diseased” and a threat to the food chain. This is because they had been eating dead carcasses, building debris, car tyres and batteries that were strewn around the farm in an attempt to survive. Beneath The Wood fought to oppose and reverse the destruction order as it cannot be proven that the pigs are any threat whatsoever and therefore should not lose their lives. With the help of an incredible firm of solicitors, Advocates for Animals, a long and exhausting nine-month legal battle ensued.

On October 9, 2019, Beneath the Wood finally welcomed into their care the fifty three pigs, although that number had grown to seventy four by then due to inadequate care in a government holding facility whilst their plight was being fought over. This also resulted in piglets being born soon after the pigs arrived which means the sanctuary now has over 100 pigs! One of our coffees is named ‘Fifty Three’ after the original pigs taken in by the rescue.

The cost of caring and feeding so many animals with special requirements is a huge challenge and Beneath The Wood relies entirely on donations. It costs almost £5000 a month to feed the pigs! Many of the residents are legally required to stay at the site for the rest of their lives or face destruction so it is essential that the sanctuary continues to operate.

You can read more about Beneath The Wood on their website here