Surge announces launch of the Surge Sanctuary

Surge is pleased to announce the launch of the Surge Sanctuary, an 18-acre haven for rescued animals and the realisation of a two-year dream since the opening of Unity Diner in 2018.

The sanctuary - located in the rural midlands of England - is already home to a number of non-human residents with more on the way, including Eric the sheep, rescued at just 10 weeks old; Gus and Pete the pigs who were destined to become sausages; Harold and Fredrick, no longer Christmas turkeys; and former battery hens Camila and Chloe.

Our mission is to offer a lifelong, no-kill, safe haven and forever home to abused and unwanted animals.

As well as offering sanctuary to animals in need, plans are being explored to use some of the land to grow mushrooms and other veganic produce. Other parts may be rewilded to provide natural habitats for pollinators and other wildlife, while some land may be used to build accommodation for volunteers, workers and visitors. Nothing has been confirmed yet, but all options are on the table.

Produce from the sanctuary may be supplied to Unity Diner or go towards feeding the residents, thereby increasing the sustainability and self-sufficiency of the sanctuary.

Ed Winters, co-director / co-founder of Surge and spokesperson for the Surge Sanctuary, said:

“In September 2018, a small group of us opened up a non-profit vegan restaurant in London called Unity Diner. Through opening the restaurant we wanted to show off how delicious vegan food is, but at the same time also use the money generated to open up an animal sanctuary.

“Two years later it feels amazing to say that we have successfully managed to do just that, and we are so thrilled that the Surge Sanctuary is now a reality. But we couldn’t have done it without the support of everyone who has worked at Unity Diner, eaten at Unity Diner and supported the work that myself and the Surge team do. So from the bottom of our hearts, thank you so much to all of you who have been a part of this journey so far.

“We already have a group of residents who have settled in and are getting used to lounging around, eating lots of delicious food and most importantly, living their lives without being harmed or exploited. And we can’t wait to keep growing the sanctuary and welcoming more and more animals so that they too can live the life that they deserve to live.”

Visit surgesanctuary.org.