31/01/2026
Statement following on from the posts surrounding Hugo’s Animal Sanctuary.
We have been contacted by many local supporters of both our enrichment centre, Fetch and Focus, and our rescue, A New Lead on Life, based on our site. Saying that we have been tagged and people are attempting to tarnish our name and reputation . Words such as “enablers” obviously we want to address this properly.
Whilst remaining mindful of the sensitivities regarding a young persons mental health and wellbeing. So we will keep to facts.
We have been referred to as their “sister charity” historically within the rescue and this was during their time at the old site and the early days at Hambleton. The reason for this being, that Hugo’s couldn’t facilitate dogs at their premises, and therefore they were giving anyone needing to surrender or rescue for dogs, our details.
We then took over the whole rescue process concerning the dogs. We continue to do so, with the support of the most wonderful, kind, experienced and passionate volunteers.
This is done from our site and is overseen by our Members and trustees.
We do not have regular access to the sanctuary site in Hambleton as quite frankly it’s not our remit, nor would we have the time. That’s their site and their arrangements with the landowners at Hambleton, they are a separate entity. So we can’t comment on what has or has not happened at that site. We believe that this is a legal matter between the land owners and Hugo’s now, one which police and relevant authorities are involved in. So we will respectfully leave them to ascertain facts, and the appropriate courses of action how they see fit. We like many others attended the open day at Hambleton site last Summer and during our time we didn’t see anything untoward. As I’m sure the many people that also attended can confirm. I believe that their board or trustees and volunteer personnel changed shortly after. Since then we have only attended the site, to take some enclosures. Which the reason for doing so is explained further down.
Bailey as a time served groomer did use our facility one day a week for HIS grooming. With his own diary and clients, during which time he only ever groomed his own clients. During this time it’s worth mentioning that he adopted two elderly dogs that he sorted through Hugo’s, they did not come through our rescue as he facilitated these dogs through his own home. Both those dogs were treated like royalty. Chloe and Waffles. Both dogs adored the ground he walked on. Again we can’t comment on anything other than this as it’s only fair to comment on what you see first hand.
As for enabling the charity, prior to becoming a rescue for dogs, you’ll see back on our early posts that we have always been transparent about our link to Hugo’s and that we were the “dog” only rescue. We actually couldn’t help some dogs as a charity due to red tape and not being established two years which meant many euthanasia kennels wouldn’t send dogs our way, However when one of the then trustees agreed to vouch for our expertise, knowledge and good standing , the euthanasia kennels then used us as Hugo’s had a large following and had been operating for years. So this actually “enabled” us to provide a last hope to dogs, some literally hours from euthanasia. So yes we were linked again by this. But only for OUR dogs.
We also held fundraisers for the charity prior to us setting up A New Lead, we are animal lovers, like many other local charitable organisations, if you can help you do, so we held dog shows, afternoon teas with owls and the proceeds were collected by Hugo’s. Later we stored some enclosures during their move from the old site to Hambleton, on our car park. The new landowner herself came and collected those and at that time the relationship between Dawn and Bailey seemed great. Again nothing to arouse suspicions. We cannot comment what’s happened since as we didn’t see it.
We don’t feel by doing these things we have enabled any alleged abuse or neglect of animals. We just helped provide funds for an animal sanctuary like many others.
With regards our visits AFTER Hugos were served notice and nearly all of the animals had already been removed except the birds and one or two others. We were made aware of the difficulty in finding homes or sanctuary for some of the birds of prey due to the current Bird flu issues, sanctions and restrictions. As mentioned earlier, we did afternoon teas with some of the said birds, they’re amazing creatures, and we adored them in the time we spent with them. So when we heard that if sanctuary couldn’t be found, then euthanasia may be an option. We stepped in. As we don’t have birds on our site, we could safely bring them and set up temporary aviaries whilst we sourced a more permanent solution, we have worked tirelessly and have attended a Falconry centre of excellence to gain the knowledge and help to provide the best care and housing for said birds. (Incidentally whilst there they informed me that they had been contacted to take some birds from Hugo’s and couldn’t due to space and restrictions as they have many birds)
So they offered their invaluable assistance which we have used to do the best we can by the birds, and actually is the reason that we haven’t responded to the social media frenzy earlier. Several of us have worked from 8am today until long after dark to get the new aviaries up and the birds settled. These are all sanctuary captive bred birds, that needed help. We will and are helping them. They didn’t ask for any of this, and whatever actions and decisions were made between Hugo’s and the landowner at Hambleton it should be without consequence to the animals.
We hope that all parties can resolve their difficulties and whatever happens we will very much leave to them as it’s none of our business.
We will of course continue to care for the many dogs we help each week and now our new feathered friends who are sleeping safe, warm, and fed in their new aviaries.
We hope this provides the clarity. Thank you.
