About B.A.R.K.S.
Banbury Animal Rescue and Kindness Service is a small, local, self-funding, volunteer-run local charity dedicated to the rescue, care and re-homing of cats, kittens, rabbits, guinea pigs and small rodents and covering Banbury and surrounding areas, extending into Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire and Warwickshire. We have been operating since 1986 and became a Registered Charity in 1997.
Our work
To take in stray and unwanted cats, kittens, rabbit, guinea pigs and other small animals; to find them good, caring, approved homes, as well as taking in and helping distressed wild animals
Our 'No-Euthenasia' policy
We never euthenase a healthy animal. Senior and disabled animals are lovingly cared for. Seriously ill animals are euthenased on veterinary advice only.
Why do we insist on donations with adoption?
In simple terms we could not keep going if we rehomed without donations. It costs money to care for the animals, medical checks, vaccinations, neutering, microchipping and when necessary to pay for their treatment and recovery from illnesses, injuries and neglect. As a 100% volunteer-run, and 100% self-financed charity, these donations contribute to the overall costs of rescuing and caring for lost and lonely animals.
What is the adoption procedure?
If you are interested in a specific cat that you have seen on the website then please contact us as quickly as possible. We will arrange for you to view/meet the cats, by appointment. Once you have made a decision we will carry out a polite, informal and hopefully informative home visit. Provided the home visit is positive, then a formal handover takes place at which point you pay the adoption fee, sign the papers, and take your new family member(s) home. For the rabbits and other smaller furries (guinea pigs, ferrets, hamsters, gerbils, rats, degus), we normally cover most points during the adoption meeting at our premises. Help and advice on bonding animals to live together is all part of the service.
Get in contact
Important notice: From 1st to 8th September the Bodicote branch centre will be closed for viewings, adoptions and admissions. The centre will be manned but not open to the public. For emergencies please contact us on 01327 263373 or via email barks2010@hotmail.co.uk. For other queries relating to cat and puppy handovers or adoptions please contact us after 8th September. Rabbit and small furries are handled at Woodford Halse and will continue as normal.
Donate to BARKS
There are many ways to donate to BARKS. To donate by bank transfer please pay to our NatWest account:
Become a BARKS member
Membership is one of our key sources of income. Please join us today. £10 annual individual membership and £15 family or household.
BARKS Lottery
BARKS monthly lottery is drawn on the last Saturday of every month during Young BARKS. Pay £1 for a number and win 50% of the lottery takings for the month. If you would like to take part please contact Jo Allen on Facebook or email barks2010@hotmail.co.uk.d
Support Adoption for Pets and Pets at Home
We are proud to be the Charity of the Year, partnered with Banbury Pets at Home Store, and will be in store regularly during December, promoting the Santa Paws Christmas event
In addition to this our charity is now part of our VIP Club through our Pets at Home Banbury store. This now means that your supporters can raise Lifelines for your charity every time they shop at Pets at Home! Our VIP members raise Lifelines every time they swipe their VIP cards when spending at Pets at Home, or automatically at the Groom Room, Vets4Pets and Companion Care surgeries. Once a quarter, we turn those Lifelines into a donation and will send it via email straight to you. It really is that simple!
Meet the committee
Trustees
Ann Collins - Chair
Marianne Kern - Treasurer
Joyce Turner
Mary Dunbar
Dawn Colley
Alicia Pagett
Patricia McCombes
Jo Allen
Please be patient if you cannot reach us by phone. Please leave a voicemail message and wait for a call back or email us.