About the Society for Abandoned Animals
The Society for Abandoned Animals is a local animal charity based in Manchester. We care for and re-home unwanted cats and rabbits and would never allow a healthy animal to be put down. Before adoption, all our animals are given a full health check, vaccinated, neutered and microchipped
Many of our animals have not had the best start in life and are in need of support from their new families. To ensure they get this, it is our policy to carry out home checks on all potential new homes prior to adoption. In this way we hope to provide the most suitable homes for our animals and give them the best possible chance of finding their new forever families.
The SAA gained charity status in 1967 and is funded with the support of individual donors, corporate partnerships and our own fundraising activities. The Society is staffed by a small team of paid employees and is supported by a great number of committed volunteers, without whom we could not operate. If you would like to get involved with the SAA and our work, why not make a donation, volunteer or foster. Any help you can offer will always be greatly appreciated by all of us here at the SAA and of course by all of the animals in our care!
The History of SAA Rescue
The Society for Abandoned Animals was originally established in 1966 by Peggy Henderson and her colleagues to deal with the large numbers of animals displaced by the housing clearance in the Hulme area of Manchester. Peggy’s aim and that of her friends and local residents was to find new, permanent and loving homes for the homeless animals.
The scale of the problem meant that the society required larger premises, so in 1969 they relocated to Buxton in Derbyshire. The site proved not to be ideal, being remote and difficult for the public to access and therefore closed after seven years. Peggy and her companions continued to care for and re-home animals from private homes until more suitable premises could be found.
Our current location, Mosley Acre Farm, was purchased in 1994 and named “The Peggy Henderson Animal Sanctuary” after our founder, although the charity name remains as it was originally registered with the Charity commission by Peggy in 1967 “Society for Abandoned Animals”.
Meet Our Team
Linda
Linda has worked with cats for many years so brings her experience to the SAA animal care team. As well as working with local cat rescues and trap, neuter + release volunteer groups, she has her own burgeoning colony at home (often with 15+ cats!). She now spends her time helping the animals in the rescue, to make sure they are happy, healthy and well cared for.
Lisa
Lisa is an experienced animal rescuer, having started her own charity rescuing dogs and cats in Spain and helping them find brighter futures. She joined the SAA at the end of 2021 to lend her knowledge and skills to our team. Lisa is passionate about animal welfare and experienced in rehabilitation, so she's a dab hand with some of our more fiesty furry friends.
Jo
Jo previously worked for the SAA, back in the days of Peggy Henderson & has since worked with various RSPCA branches and set up her own pet sitting/dog walking business. She's now back in the SAA team to use her experience to take charge of our rabbit rehoming. Jo has a wide variety of animals in her care - including a dog, cats, rabbits, a horse and even some goats!
Rebecca
Rebecca joined the SAA after completing her animal behaviour degree and gaining lots of great experience at various recues and wildlife centres. After working with the cats and rabbits here, Rebecca goes home to her 5 dogs, horse and gerbil - so she's always an animal carer, whether at work or at home!
Liam
Liam Joined the SAA in 2023, Liam is previously from the Isle of Man where he worked as for another Animal charity. Liam has 5 years PR and Fundraising experience and a qualification in Digital Marketing along side animal care experience with both dogs and rabbits and even a seal or two!
Our Current Facilities
Staffed 7 days a week. The site currently cares for and re-homes cats and rabbits.
Cats
Cat facilities include a cat rehoming unit with 17 pens, a quarantine units with 9 pens and isolation pens. Staff and volunteers also care for 9 feral cats on site; these are all neutered and vaccinated and receive any medical treatment required.
Rabbits
Rabbit facilities include a quarantine unit of 6 pens, 12 rehoming pens and a boarding unit with 14 pens ready for bunnies on their holidays.
Dogs
Unfortunately we are not currently taking dogs.
Secure dog playing field
We have an enclosed field available for hire for dogs who cannot be let off lead on walks. Whatever the reason – poor recall, not good with other dogs, not good with strangers you can hire the field for private use for £6 per 30 minute slot for up to 2 dogs (£9 for 3-5 and £12 for 6+). The field is open between 9.30-17.00 every day of the week.
if you would like to view before you book feel free to visit during our normal opening hours.
(Please be aware the field can get muddy after heavy rain and lots of doggy paws running around, so be sure to bring appropriate footwear)
To book in please click HERE
Animal Care Staff
Our Animal Care team all have backgrounds and/or experience in animal care and welfare and are therefore able to assess the animals in our care and to provide ongoing medical treatments as required. The staff are extremely well supported on all animal care welfare and medical issues by our partnership veterinary practices.
Future Developments
We have plans to develop our animal facilities, to improve the welfare of the animals in our care as well as being able to accommodate more animals. This is entirely dependent on the generosity of our donors, as well as support from our members, volunteers, corporate partners and charitable foundations.
Please keep an eye on this section for any upcoming developments.
Meet Our Animals
