1. Purpose and scope

The purpose of this Animal Welfare & Care Standards Policy is to set out how the HEADTURNED Sanctuary (the Sanctuary) aims to meet and exceed its responsibilities towards all animals in our care.

This policy applies to all animals living at, or under the direct responsibility of, the Sanctuary, including those in long-term care, temporary rehabilitation, or approved foster placements. It applies to everyone involved in their care, including staff, volunteers, contractors, and partners while on Sanctuary business.

2. Definitions

• Animal refers to any sentient being under the care or responsibility of the Sanctuary.
• Guardian refers to the Sanctuary or another person or organisation that holds legal responsibility for an animal at a given time.
• Welfare refers to the physical health, psychological wellbeing, and ability of an animal to express natural behaviours, free from unnecessary pain, fear, or distress.
• Care team refers to staff, volunteers, and any third parties directly involved in handling, housing, or making day-to-day decisions about animals in our care.

3. Welfare principles and legal framework

The Sanctuary is committed to meeting or exceeding the standards required by applicable animal welfare law and recognised good practice. In particular, we aim to ensure that animals in our care:

• Have access to appropriate food and fresh water.
• Live in a suitable environment for their species and individual needs.
• Can exhibit normal, species-appropriate behaviours.
• Have the opportunity for appropriate social contact with other animals or humans, or to be kept apart if that is in their best interests.
• Are protected, as far as reasonably possible, from pain, suffering, injury, and disease.

Our internal procedures, training, and day-to-day decisions are expected to reflect these principles.

4. Housing, environment and shelter

The Sanctuary will work to provide environments that are safe, clean, and appropriate for each species and individual animal. This includes:

• Providing adequate space for movement, rest, and expression of natural behaviours.
• Offering shelter and protection from adverse weather, extreme temperatures, and environmental hazards.
• Designing housing to minimise stress, overcrowding, and conflict between animals.
• Maintaining cleanliness and hygiene through regular cleaning and waste management.
• Ensuring appropriate lighting, ventilation, and noise levels for the species concerned.

Where animals are placed in foster or off-site care, we expect equivalent standards to be maintained, as set out in our Adoption & Fostering Policy and associated agreements.

5. Nutrition and hydration

Animals in our care will receive food and water appropriate to their species, life stage, and individual health needs. In practice, this means:

• Providing access to clean, fresh water unless there is a veterinary reason to limit intake.
• Using diets that are nutritionally balanced and appropriate to the species, including any specialised requirements.
• Adjusting feeding regimes for animals with specific clinical or behavioural needs, following veterinary or qualified nutritional advice.
• Monitoring body condition and appetite and acting promptly if there are concerning changes.

6. Behaviour, social needs and enrichment

We recognise that good welfare is not only about physical health, but also about mental wellbeing and the ability to behave in ways that are natural for each animal. The Sanctuary will aim to:

• Provide environmental enrichment suited to each species, such as opportunities for foraging, exploration, play, and problem-solving.
• Support appropriate social contact, whether with other animals or humans, where this benefits the individual.
• Provide animals with choice and control where possible, such as access to separate resting or hiding spaces.
• Identify and respond to signs of stress, fear, or frustration and adjust management accordingly.

Behavioural support plans may be developed for animals with specific needs, in collaboration with veterinary and behaviour professionals where appropriate.

7. Veterinary care and health monitoring

The Sanctuary will work with appropriately qualified veterinary professionals to provide preventative and responsive healthcare. This may include:

• Routine health checks, vaccinations, parasite control, and other preventative care recommended for the species.
• Prompt assessment and treatment of illness, injury, or unexplained changes in behaviour or condition.
• Pain management and palliative care where suitable, in consultation with veterinary advice.
• Clear record-keeping of diagnoses, treatments, and outcomes for each animal.

Health monitoring may be carried out by the Care team on a day-to-day basis, with escalation to veterinary professionals whenever needed.

8. Handling, training and restraint

Animals should be handled in ways that are safe, respectful, and minimise stress. In particular:

• Handling and restraint should be the minimum necessary to achieve a legitimate purpose, such as examination, treatment, or safe transport.
• Wherever possible, handling methods should be based on low-stress, positive approaches rather than force.
• Any training plans should be welfare-led, avoid aversive techniques, and be designed to help animals cope with routine care and handling.
• Only appropriately trained individuals should carry out higher-risk handling or restraint, and only with suitable equipment.

9. Pain, suffering and humane end-of-life decisions

The Sanctuary does not take end-of-life decisions lightly. In some rare cases, humane euthanasia may be in an animal's best interests. Any such decision will:

• Be made in close consultation with a veterinary professional.
• Take account of the animal's quality of life, including pain, mobility, dignity, and prospects for meaningful recovery.
• Be carried out in a manner designed to minimise fear and distress, using appropriate methods and environments.

These decisions are governed by internal protocols and ethical review, and recorded carefully in the animal's file.

10. Records and documentation

Accurate records are essential for good welfare. For each animal, the Sanctuary will aim to keep up-to-date information on:

• Identity and background, where known.
• Medical history, treatments, and veterinary reports.
• Behavioural observations and any support plans in place.
• Housing, diet, and any significant welfare-related decisions or incidents.

Personal information about people connected with the animal (for example previous Guardians, Adopters, or Foster carers) is handled in line with our Privacy Notice and applicable data protection laws.

11. Staff, volunteers and training

Everyone involved in animal care has a role to play in upholding these standards. The Sanctuary will aim to:

• Provide appropriate induction and training for staff and volunteers in handling, welfare, and safety.
• Ensure that responsibilities are clearly defined and that less experienced team members are supervised and supported.
• Encourage a culture where anyone can raise welfare concerns without fear of unfair treatment.

Additional specialist training may be required for certain roles, species, or procedures.

12. Emergencies and contingency planning

The Sanctuary will maintain internal plans for responding to emergencies that could affect animal welfare, such as fire, flooding, extreme weather, or disease outbreaks. These plans may include:

• Evacuation or shelter-in-place procedures where appropriate.
• Priorities for animal movement, triage, and temporary accommodation.
• Communication arrangements with emergency services, veterinary providers, and relevant authorities.

Staff and relevant volunteers will be made aware of their roles in an emergency, and plans will be reviewed regularly.

13. Public access, visitors and interactions

The Sanctuary may host visitors, volunteers, or educational groups as part of its wider mission. When this happens, we will:

• Control access to animals and environments to minimise stress and maintain safety.
• Set clear rules for behaviour around animals, including supervised contact where appropriate.
• Ensure that any activities involving animals are designed with welfare and consent in mind, rather than treating animals as props or entertainment.

Some animals may not be suitable for visitor interaction and will be protected from it.

14. Photography, media and research

The Sanctuary may use photography, video, or stories about animals to support education and fundraising. Any such activity should:

• Be carried out in ways that do not compromise welfare, cause distress, or misrepresent the animal's experience.
• Respect any safety and access rules set by the Care team.
• Be transparent with supporters about the context and any edits or reconstructions used in storytelling.

Any research activities involving animals will be subject to separate ethical review and, where applicable, external approvals.

15. Monitoring, audits and continuous improvement

The Sanctuary is committed to learning and improving over time. We may:

• Review welfare outcomes and incidents on a regular basis.
• Seek feedback from staff, volunteers, Adopters, Foster carers, and professionals.
• Invite external input from vets, behaviourists, or welfare specialists where helpful.

Findings from these activities will inform updates to our procedures, training, and facilities.

16. Questions, concerns and whistleblowing

Anyone who has questions about this policy or concerns about animal welfare at the Sanctuary is encouraged to raise them. Concerns can be raised with a supervisor, a designated welfare lead, or through the contact channels on our website.

Serious concerns, including allegations of neglect or abuse, will be taken seriously and handled in line with our Complaints & Feedback Policy and any relevant safeguarding or whistleblowing procedures.

17. Review and updates

This policy will be reviewed periodically and may be updated to reflect changes in law, developments in best practice, or the growth of the Sanctuary's facilities and programmes.

The version published on the HEADTURNED Foundation website is the version currently in force.