HELPING ANIMALS SINCE 1990
This year our Charity of the Year is Friends of the Animals, as voted for by Red Funnel colleagues.
Friends of the Animals are an incredible Island-based charity who provide care, treatment and support to animals who are sick, injured, or unwanted. Your generosity allows their dedicated team to give animals a second chance through rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming.
You can donate to Friends of the Animals when you make your next online booking with us, or if you’re not travelling for a while, you can donate via our JustGiving page.
Friends of the animals Charity Work
Spay & Neuter Programmes
Having already helped 46,000 on the Isle of Wight and beyond, Friends of the Animals’ Spay and neutering programme prevents the risk of unwanted litters.
Veterinary Assistance
Supporting pet owners who are struggling financially with vet costs, ensuring beloved pets can still get the care they deserve.
Supporting Pet Owners with rehoming
Assisting those with mental health issues who cannot care for their pets, those struggling with the cost of living crisis and pets which are neglected or dumped. For all rehoming, whatever the circumstance, Friends of the Animals ensure that beloved animals do not end up euthanised or rehomed into further neglect via operating a strict home-check policy.
Animal Rescue
From supporting abandoned and unwanted pets to rescuing wildlife, Friends of the Animals dedicated team respond to callouts, frequently rescuing and rehabilitating animals.
Pet Food Pantry & Equipment Loan
Not only do Friends of the Animals provide a pet food pantry, supported by Pets at Home IOW and local donations, but they also loan out equipment for animals following surgery, or for fostering, such as carriers and crates.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Online Donations
You can add a donation to Friends of the Animals when making an online booking with us. Just simply select an amount at check-out. Alternatively, you can make a one-off donation via our JustGiving page.
Become a ‘Friend of FOTA'
Visit the Friends of the Animals website and set up a monthly or annual donation.
Friends of the Animals Lottery
For just £1 per entry, not only are you directly supporting animals in need, but you could be in with a chance of winning the top prize of 25k.
Go Shopping!
Friends of the Animals has four charity shops across the Island, two in Newport, one in Ryde and one In Sandown. They play a vital role in raising awareness and funds the work they do. Simply enjoy a pre-loved shopping spree or donate your unwanted items to help keep stock levels flowing!
Rehome or foster an Animal
If you’re living on the Isle of Wight and thinking of fostering or adopting, and would love to welcome a rescue dog in to your home, check out the rehoming information and apply using the link below.
volunteering
Friends of the An9imals are always looking for kind hearted people to join the team, whether you’ve got an hour a week or a whole day, they’d love your help.
THE LATEST NEWS FROM FRIENDS OF THE ANIMALS
31 March: Bunnies aren't just for Easter!
Rabbits have long been synonymous with spring—a joyful symbol of new life and the changing season, hopping through newly green fields and nibbling on dandelions. And of course, who could forget the Easter Bunny?!
But beyond their seasonal charm, rabbits can make wonderful pets. We’ve teamed up with our 2026 Charity of the Year, Island based Friends of the Animals, to help them to highlight the care and commitment rabbits need to ensure they stay in loving long-term homes way beyond their Easter appeal – as well as the work that goes into rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing wild bunnies taken into their care.
There are currently four baby wild rabbits in the care of Friends of the Animals and their associated sanctuaries, requiring hand feeding every two hours! As well as also numerous pet rabbits in long term foster and specialised rescue organisations.
If you’d like to donate to Friends of the Animals to help with the cost of rabbit care, you can do so via our Just Giving page.
Unsure how much to give? Below are the approx. costs of feed and bedding for one rabbit:
Chew toy or treats £3
Timothy Hay £5 a bag
Rabbit feed £10 a bag
Fresh greens and veg - £10
Bedding £15 a bag
Puppy formula for a baby rabbit or hare £30 (1 week)
Bunny bundle for a month £50 - x2 bags of food, x3 bags hay with treats and toys
Male rabbit neuter £75
Female rabbit spay £105
Thinking of adopting a rabbit?
Friendly and social, rabbits make for excellent companions and can form strong bonds with their owners, showing affection by nudging and sitting close by. Playful and curious, rabbits enjoy enrichments and toys and bring great joy to their humans watching them hop and “binky” (an excitable jump and twist in the air) as they explore their environment.
Though small and quiet creatures, rabbits still need the daily care you’d to give a larger pet and require space and companionship – ideally another rabbit – and so require a home ready for a long-term commitment to their wellbeing.
Things to consider for your pet rabbit:
Diet – a hay-based diet is essential for their long-term health (80-85% of diet), alongside daily leafy greens, a small amount of rabbit pellets and fresh water
Housing – rabbits need space, comfort and safety to be happy, whether living indoors or out. When it comes to a hutch or run, bigger is always better! Regular cleaning of their home is required
Bedding – paper bedding is recommended, avoiding ceder or pine shavings which can be harmful
Hideaways – rabbits need somewhere to retreat and feel safe, so a box or tunnel as part of their environment is ideal
Exercise – rabbits need at least 3 to 4 hours outside of their hutch to explore and play, ensuring the area is safe and rabbit-proofed