Thornberry Animal Sanctuary is a rescue centre based in South Yorkshire on two different sites. Founded in 1988, we have since rescued thousands of Dogs, Cats, Rabbits, Equines and some other larger species at our farm at Ravenfield, whilst all other animals are at Todwick Road, Dinnington. We take animals that through no fault of their own need a new home. We assess them and deal with any medical or behavioural issues they may have, then try to match them to their perfect forever home.
Visits to our animals at both sites are appointment only – this greatly reduces the stress our animals face on a day to day basis. Thank you for understanding! If you would like to find out more about the animals available for adoption, visit Adopt An Animal.
Please be aware that we cannot allow any visitor’s dogs on site, except for Guide/Assistance dogs. This is for the safety of you, your dogs, and our animals.
Thornberry Animal Sanctuary (registered charity no. 1018048) is led by a Board of Trustees, who oversee and manage the sanctuary as volunteers, with the current Board being particularly ‘hands-on’ in the daily management of all aspects of the charity.
We have a highly experienced Animal Care team so that continuity and expertise can be assured. We aim for high quality also in our communications and customer service and have a Receptionist on site during the main opening hours (11am-3pm.). We are always open to constructive comments and suggestions as to how we can continue to improve.
We have also always relied extensively on the invaluable contribution of volunteers and will continue to do so. Many volunteers have been working on behalf of Thornberry for years, in animal care roles such as dog-walking, cat and rabbit care, educating our pets of all sizes, including our horses, to interact with people calmly and with trust, perhaps for the first time in their lives. Volunteers work in our sales areas or off site in fundraising activities and in numerous other ways. They offer a huge breadth of experience, skill and generous gifts of their time and hard work, which have made it possible for Thornberry to survive for over 30 years.
There have been many changes and developments at Thornberry. We have two sites, the main one open to visitors at Todwick Road, near Dinnington/ North Anston, which houses our smaller pets: dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and others. Our our site is at Ravenfield, where we have 30 or more horses and ponies and 5 pet pigs, not to mention two hens which we treat as our pets too.
We continue to strive to improve, in our ways of working above all but on our sites too. Maintenance of a thirty-year-old infrastructure is a constant task whilst developments and improvements are a constant goal.
We expect that a History section on our website written in 10 years time will see those aspects that we need to change transformed, whilst the best of what we are and what we do now is retained. We invite visitors and supporters to join us on our journey.
There are many different ways to be involved as a volunteer at Thornberry.
Each volunteer’s contribution is greatly appreciated as without it, the day to day running couldn’t happen. Areas of help include looking after the shops and café onsite, fundraising, dog walking, animal cage care and cleaning, and onsite maintenance. At our equine centre, we have a variety of roles dependent on the individual’s skills.
We are lucky to have the support of some great companies. Without their help we would be unable to help as many animals as we do.
Terry Elliot and his construction crew from the Dinnington site of Rotherham College have worked extremely hard recently at T.A.S. They have not only made our corral hen-proof, installed a door (stylish as well as sturdy) and windows on the adjoining stable to keep our visiting hens safe from predators but turned their attention to our cat and kitten block just a few days later. Detaching and hefting heavy steel cat pens, plasterboarding, restoring the sagging ceiling, they have made the building usable once more. They have done all this and more for not a single penny and with cheery smiles to boot. What an inspiration to young construction workers Mr Elliott is - he and his team deserve the thanks of all of us at Thornberry!
Imagine Construction Ltd replaced the fencing that had seen better days to help keep our animals secure. By doing this at a significantly reduced rate we were able to use the money it would have otherwise cost towards the care of the animals.
We are sponsored by Burns https://burnspet.co.uk/ who kindly donate us dry dog food which ensures we can keep our dogs on a regular diet and give those adopted a good start before going to their new homes.
View our Privacy Policy for more information
Adoption / Rehoming & Equine Centre – appointment only.
Please be aware that we cannot allow any visitor’s dogs on site, except for Guide/Assistance dogs. This is for the safety of you, your dogs, and our animals.
Open Everyday from 9.00am until 3.00pm
Todwick Road Open from 9.00am until 3.00pm everyday.
Crystal Peaks Charity Shop
Open Monday-Saturday 9.00am until 5.00pm, Sunday 10.00am until 4.00pm
Mon-Tue: Closed Wed-Sun: 11am-3pm
