The Ferne Animal Sanctuary

Analysis

The Ferne Animal Sanctuary is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Chard. It was registered in November 2015, 11 years ago. Its declared purposes cover animals, which this site groups under animals. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 09772680). It says it provides buildings/facilities/open space, provides services and provides advocacy/advice/information.

In the financial year ending March 2025, The Ferne Animal Sanctuary reported income of £2.2m and spending of £2.0m, spending 93% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £1.3m to £2.2m (+67%), an average of +14% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2025, when income rose by 42%. Over the whole period it spent 111% of the income it received.

Among 2,161 England and Wales charities whose main cause is animals and that reported income, The Ferne Animal Sanctuary sits at the 95th percentile: it is larger than about 95% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 96th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include The Wildlife Aid Foundation (£2.1m), The David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (£2.2m) and Animals in Distress (Torbay and Westcountry) (£2.1m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 60%, trading 37% and charitable activities 2.0%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £860k. Charitable activities took 50% of spending and raising funds 49%. Reserves of £540k would cover about 3 months of spending at that rate. It employed 56 people.