Colleagues at Somerset’s Ferne Animal Sanctuary will spend the night in kennels with rescue dogs this month as part of the charity’s ‘Sleeping Ruff’ challenge, raising vital finds to support more than 300 animals through the winter months.

The event will take place within the kennels on Thursday 23 October, with team members swapping soft beds and human companionship for kennels and canine company for a single night sleepover to highlight the experiences of the sanctuary’s residents.

The team taking part consists of Emma Purnell, Chief Executive Officer, Nikki Haddock, Animal Care & Estates Manager, Emma Green, Fundraising Manager and Abby Clark, Fundraising Administrator.

They will be spending the night with some of the dogs who may be having a tougher time in the kennels or those who may be finding it more challenging while trying to adapt to living in a strange environment, having just been separated from their owners.

The team will get a feel for how a kennel environment might feel from the dog’s perspective.