About Surge Sanctuary:
In 2017, our founder Abi rescued her first two pigs, Gus and Pete. A year later, Eric the sheep arrived, followed by two turkeys, Harold and Frederick, along with four broiler chickens and two egg‑laying hens. Those early rescues shaped everything that came next.
Abi knew she wanted to dedicate her life to giving animals a safe haven - a place where they would never again face exploitation, abuse, or slaughter. Somewhere they could simply live, grow old, and be loved for who they are.
With the support of friends, including vegan advocate Ed Winters and the animal rights organisation Surge, the team opened Unity Diner, a non‑profit vegan restaurant in London. The aim was twofold: to show how delicious plant‑based food can be, and to generate the funds needed to create a sanctuary for animals who had nowhere else to go.
In December 2020, that dream became a reality - Surge Sanctuary was born.
Abi and the growing rescue family relocated to Nottinghamshire, where she now spends her life caring for the animals society so often overlooks. Today, the sanctuary is home to cows, pigs, sheep, goats, birds and more - each one an individual with a story, a personality, and a future worth protecting.
Since then…
Since opening in 2020, our dedicated volunteer team has been working tirelessly to grow and improve the sanctuary - all with one goal in mind: creating a true safe haven for animals in need.
Here are some highlights from our journey so far:
Over 200 lives saved
Since opening, Surge Sanctuary has rescued more than 200 animals, offering each one a safe and loving home. Many were saved from slaughter in the meat, dairy and egg industries, while others came from cases of neglect, abuse or hoarding. Every resident now lives free from exploitation, able to heal and thrive in an environment built around compassion and care.
A growing volunteer community
The sanctuary is run entirely by volunteers - a small, dedicated team who help with everything from mucking out and animal care to social media, events and fundraising. We’re more than just a team; we’re a community of like‑minded vegans who care deeply about animals. Working side by side brings a sense of belonging and purpose, and supporting the animals also supports our volunteers’ wellbeing as we share stories, encourage one another, and work towards a shared mission.
Tours, events and supporter days
We offer private guided tours during the warmer months, giving visitors the chance to meet our rescued residents and learn their stories. We also host special events - from camping weekends celebrating our residents to seasonal sanctuary days - all designed to raise essential funds and give supporters the opportunity to connect in person with the animals whose lives they’ve helped transform.
Join Us on the Journey
Surge Sanctuary exists because of the compassion of the people who support it — from volunteers and donors to visitors and online followers. Every share, every kind message, every fundraiser and every monthly donation helps us continue giving animals the peaceful, protected lives they deserve. If you’d like to be part of our mission, there are lots of ways to get involved, and we’re grateful for every single one.