Volunteers | Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary

What are the 5 freedoms and what should they mean to pet owners?

Jan 11, 2024

When you get a new puppy or kitten, no one tells you that your new pet has five main welfare needs that need to be met. They provide a framework for caring for dogs, cats, and other pets. Read on to find out what they are, how many pet owners know them, and why they matter to you.

The Five Freedoms

The Five Freedoms were originally defined by the UK’s Farm Animal Welfare Council in the 1960s and were subsequently updated. They are now understood to apply to the welfare of all animals, not just livestock. The Five Freedoms are as follows.

Freedom from hunger and thirst by ready access to water and a diet to maintain health and vigor
Freedom from discomfort by providing an appropriate environment
Freedom from pain, injury, and disease by prevention or rapid diagnoses and treatment
Freedom to express normal behavior by providing proficient space, proper facilities, and appropriate company of the animal’s own kind
Freedom from fear and distress by ensuring conditions and treatment, which avoid mental suffering

The Five Freedoms tell us our pets have 5 welfare needs- diet, environment, health, companionship, and behavior.

Knowing About the Five Freedoms

How many pet owners know about these needs? Since 2011, the PDSA in the United Kingdom has released its annual PAW report on the welfare of pets. The 2018 report tells that most people were able to identify four out of the five needs when shown a list.

87% identified the need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury, and disease
85% identified the need to live in a sustainable environment
85% identified the need for a suitable diet
67% identified the need to exhibit normal behavior patterns
Only 18% identified the need to be housed with or apart from other animals
Only 13% of pet owners were able to correctly identify all five of the animal’s needs

Unfortunately, these needs are not as well known as they should be. And 29% of people thought that human company was one of the welfare needs.

Most people love their pets wholeheartedly, but it is also important to make sure you understand their basic needs in order to give them the best life possible. You can find more information on caring for animals at websites like the ASPCA.

Volunteer Updates

Jan 5, 2024

We are so excited about everything coming up at the sanctuary this year. We will expand our volunteer program by continuing to welcome new volunteers, adding new sign-up opportunities with cats and dogs as well as other opportunities such as maintenance and clerical assistance, and building an enrichment team, to name just a few. We currently have three levels or tiers of volunteer status for our dog volunteers. It’s up to each volunteer to decide if you would like to advance through the tiers or stay at a specific tier; either is okay as we have multiple opportunities at every tier. Those who would like to advance to tier three will now be required to complete the “Fear Free Shelter Program.”

The Fear Free Shelter Program is an internationally known program that is completed online. After a brief introduction to Fear Free, volunteers will work

through four mandatory modules, which must be taken in consecutive order. Each module will end with an exam, which must be successfully completed before moving on to the next module. Progress on work can be saved at any time, giving you the flexibility to self-pace throughout the program. The core modules take approximately 5 hours to complete. You will be awarded a Fear Free Shelter Program Certificate of Completion when all four modules are completed. You can learn more about the program and register here: https://fearfreeshelters.com/about/. To register for the course, you will need a signed form from us. You can find them on the bulletin board in the tack room or email Michele at michele@halliehill.com.

All staff have completed the course, and our amazing volunteers Lynn Rosato, Laura Tudor, Lorraine Guyton, and Dareen Seipel have also completed it! Way to go, ladies; thank you for your dedication to understanding and improving the lives of our sanctuary residents!

Volunteer Spotlight: Josh Taber and Donna Gamble

Dec 14, 2023

Josh Taber and Donna Gamble are a dynamic duo who have been volunteering regularly on Sundays to clean and improve Hallie Hill’s beautiful cemetery, Angels’ Crossing. It is a big job to maintain Angels’ Crossing. Josh and Donna do the necessary maintenance, like trimming trees, leveling gravestones, and fighting the weeds. They have also added small flags to embellish the walkways and sturdy handmade benches where visitors can sit, rest, and reflect as they walk the winding paths through the peaceful wooded space. Josh and Donna’s generous donation of their time, energy, and unique skills has beautified this incredibly special place for everyone to appreciate.

We also have Donna to thank for the annual donation of her beautiful, handmade quilts, which we raffle to benefit the animals at the Sanctuary each November. This year, the raffle raised over $6,400 for the animals of Hallie Hill. We at Hallie Hill are so grateful and lucky to have volunteers with these unique talents to help make the Sanctuary a remarkable place for humans and animals alike. Thank you, Donna and Josh; we are blessed to have you as valued members of our Hallie Hill family.

GivingTuesday: How To Help Hallie Hill On November 28

Nov 22, 2023

On GivingTuesday, November 28, we are accepting donations to help care for the 200-plus animals that call the sanctuary home. GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement to help people and organizations transform their communities and the world. It is the beginning of the generosity season this year, inspiring people to give back on November 28 and throughout the year. Hallie Hill’s GivingTuesday 2023 fundraiser aims to raise $40,000.

Contributions made will provide essential funding for various expenses related to caring for our animal residents. This includes costs like microchipping, vaccinations, spaying and neutering, food, medications, utilities, and more.

Here is a detailed list of what some donation values can cover:

$10- microchip or vaccinate a dog or cat

$15- cover heartworm prevention for a month

$20 – feed a dog for a month

$50- spay or neuter a dog or cat

$100- purchases 100 days of arthritis pain medication for 1 senior dog

$500- treat a dog for heartworm disease

Those interested in joining our GivingTuesday initiative can visit https://www.facebook.com/donate/1364646607784787/345126688168098 to make a Facebook donation with no transactional fees or go to Classy at https://www.classy.org/campaign/giving-tuesday-2023/c530135. Thank you for your support this Holiday Season.

Volunteer Spotlight: Gerard DeCocker

Nov 8, 2023

Gerard DeCocker is a volunteer in our ‘Barn Buddies’ program. He loves to visit with our barn dogs, especially Lolly, Edna, and Dixie. Gerry always brings a smile to our face, especially when he shows up with donuts for everyone to enjoy (except the dogs, of course!) Gerry brings a chair and sits in the stall with each barn dog while giving them lots of love, pets, brushes, and a few treats here and there! He also brings his personal leaf blower to help keep the sanctuary looking beautiful. We appreciate Gerry and are so grateful for his kindness and the love he shows the animals of Hallie Hill. Thank you, Gerry!

Volunteer Spotlight: LouAnn Kellner

Oct 20, 2023

“I was born in Iowa, moved to Maryland in elementary school, and then I found the beautiful Lowcountry on a Spring Break with my family in 2006. My sister Joan, “the other cat sister” transferred to SC in 2012. So, retirement in the Charleston area in December of 2018 seemed like a good fit for me! In April of 2019, the cat sisters
made their debut in the Hallie Hill Cattery!
I have had rescued cats in my life most of my 60+ years. I guess I should really say those cats rescued me! Cats are very attentive, vocal, amusing, and therapeutic in my opinion. Additionally, I feel cats are generally low maintenance. How can you
not love someone who snuggles and purrs?
Katerina came home with me in March of 2021, and she has brought so much
joy to my life. With my 40+ years of nursing experience, modified for cats, and
my sister’s willingness to do the hard physical labor, we make a great team. If
you make an appointment to foster or adopt a cat on most Sunday mornings,
you can see the cat sisters in action!”