On the night of 23rd October 2025, members of the team at Ferne Animal Sanctuary will be giving up their cosy beds and spending the night in the kennels with our rescue dogs—all to raise vital funds for animals in need.

What is “Sleeping Ruff”?

Sleeping Ruff is our heartfelt fundraising challenge, where a brave group of Ferne staff will experience life from the perspective of the animals we care for. They’ll be bedding down in our kennels for one October night, accompanied by some of our beloved canine residents.

We hope to raise £500 to support our sanctuary as we head into winter – a notoriously difficult time for animal rescues, like ours.

Meet the Team Taking on the Challenge

Leading the charge is our CEO, Emma Purnell, who will be joined by:

• Nikki, Animal Care and Estates Manager

• Emma, Fundraising Manager

• Abby, Fundraising Administrator

Each of them will spend the night with one of our rescue dogs, helping to highlight the realities faced by animals in shelters, especially during the colder months.

Why This Fundraiser Matters

Winter is always a challenging season at Ferne Animal Sanctuary. Costs for heating, food, and medical care increase significantly. This year, things are even harder following the unexpected cancellation of our annual dog show, one of our most important fundraising events.

With your help, we’re aiming to raise at least £500 to ensure we can continue providing the best care for the animals who need us.

Every single donation—no matter how big or small—makes a difference.

👉 Donate today: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/sleepingruff

Follow the Sleeping Ruff Journey

We’ll be sharing behind-the-scenes updates from the kennels on our Facebook page throughout the evening of October 23rd. See how our team copes without their usual comforts and get to know the lovely dogs keeping them company.

Don’t miss:

• Live updates from the kennels

• Photos and videos of the team and dogs

• Real-time donation progress

• A peek into life at Ferne after dark

Support Animals in Need This Winter

By supporting Sleeping Ruff, you’re directly helping to fund food, shelter, and veterinary care for animals waiting for their forever homes. Together, we can make a difference – one kennel at a time.

Ferne Animal Sanctuary
Protecting animals since 1939
📍 Chard, Somerset
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