About DHPS

All funds are spent on the animals - the best quality feed and hay are provided in generous amounts as well as warm and comfortable accommodation. A donation or a legacy is always most gratefully received as costs are considerable when maintaining high standards of care for so many animals.

When making a decision to support our own, or any other charity, it is advisable to check the Charity Commission website as they give details of charities under investigation and any irregularities found.

Devon Horse and Pony Sanctuary has always had one Patron - Brian Carter, the well known writer and artist who lives in Paignton. An expert in natural history, Brian writes each day in the Herald Express. The Trustees greatly admired his work and his compassion for all animals and were delighted when, many years ago, he agreed to be be the Sanctuary's Patron.

In 1981, a draught mare came to the Sanctuary on Armistice Day. She was named Dolly Gray as horses of her type were used extensively in the Great War. When Brian saw her he was inspired to write his famous book 'Jack' which is about a boy and the horse he loved who both suffered in France in that awful conflict.

Midnight - an orphan, found on Dartmoor, just a few days old and brought to the Sanctuary at midnight. In later years his coat was pale grey and everyone asked "Why's he called Midnight?" !

Apart from the odd sheep, calf, goat, cat, dog, rabbit and bird there are three dogs at Hillside - plus a field spaniel called Whizz that visits but also stays when the family are away. There is a labrador called Bessie Bunter, as she tends to pt on weight very quickly. Megan, a retriever who really belongs to Roland and Alison but, despite loving the family, has always wanted to live at Hillside. As soon as her family moved to Devon, she had her wish and has taken up residence at the Sanctuary!

Most important of all is Zoe, the Chihuahua who loves people but keeps all the big dogs in order and will fight anything, however big!

The years that Sylvia and Terry have devoted to the Sanctuary have been a labour of love. The garden at Hillside has been another. If you are able to visit the Sanctuary you will be most welcome to look around and share in the pleasure the garden has to offer.