Saving Churchill the Serval
As soon as Dartmoor Zoo heard about the situation at The Cat Survival Trust, we knew we had to help.
We are now the proud forever home for Churchill, an incredibly special serval cat that has stolen the hearts of our staff and guests alike.
Churchill’s journey began with Dartmoor Zoo in January 2025 when he was one of 28 cats rescued from appalling conditions at The Cat Survival Trust. Working with the incredible Hertfordshire Zoo and The Big Cat Sanctuary, we were able to rescue and rehome Churchill on Tuesday 21st January.
Dartmoor Zoo, with the help of some incredible volunteers, worked hard on a spacious outdoor enclosure, where he was then joined by a female companion from Port Lympne Zoo named Sabra.
With your support, we can recoup the costs it took to build the enclosure Churchill and his new mate deserve, provide them both with a fully enriched life, a species appropriate diet and give them both the veterinary care they need going forward. Safety and wellbeing, alongside speed have been the top priorities whilst rescuing Churchill from his previous living conditions, so now that he is safe, we can focus on creating the forever home of dreams that he so desperately needs.
We didn’t have time to plan for this development and therefore we have had to dip into our precious reserves to fund the work to Churchill’s permanent enclosure. We are now appealing with support to help cover the costs, not only of the initial work, but also the ongoing care of Churchill and his new mate.
The cost of getting his new enclosure ready for him and his mate was around £8,000 and then each of the Serval’s will cost the zoo approximately £4,000 a year in food and veterinary care.
Any help you can offer to help us cover these unplanned costs would be very much appreciated.
Churchill’s Story
Following four charges in May 2024, Terrence Moore, Director of The Cat Survival Trust was found guilty of unnecessary harm to animals and was subsequently ordered to rehome the cats residing on site in Welwyn Garden City, alongside a ban preventing him from keeping any cats for a minimum of 5 years.
Living conditions were cramped, often with minimal to no natural light available and food prep conditions were deemed highly unsanitary.
28 cats were rescued and rehomed in total, with fantastic efforts from Hertfordshire Zoo and The Big Cat Sanctuary, whilst 5 were unfortunately euthanised due to poor health conditions. Churchill sadly was at very real risk of making that 5, a 6 unless a suitable home could be found for him.
We’re proud to say that we were able to act rapidly and ensure that not only does Churchill have a safe and stable environment, it’s a forever one too.
Photo: Hertfordshire Constabulary/CPS
How can you help?
Donate – Help us provide Churchill (and his new mate!) with the forever home they deserve. Every donation, no matter how big or small will make a massive difference.
Other ways to donate are:
By Phone: To make a donation over the phone using your credit/debit card, please call us on 01752 837645. (Mon – Sun, 9-5)
By Post: If you prefer to donate by post, please send a cheque to ‘Dartmoor Zoological Society’ and send it to us at Dartmoor Zoological Society, Sparkwell, PL7 5DG.
Fundraise – Feeling inspired? Why not rally support from your neighbours, friends, family or your workplace and fundraise for Churchill!
Spread the word – Please share this page or any updates on our socials. The more people that know, the more of a difference we can make together!
Sponsor – Are you a part of or a business owner moved by this appeal? You can sponsor Churchill and his enclosure and reap an abundance of promotional benefits. Email marketing@dartmoorzoo.co.uk to find out more!
Thank you!
