Local lawyers help steer Oak Tree Animals’ Charity into new era

Two local lawyers are helping shape the future of animal welfare in Cumbria as volunteer trustees at Oak Tree Animals’ Charity.

Rob Winder and Rebecca Armstrong are both Senior Associates at Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors, leading the firm’s Property Litigation and Will and Inheritance Disputes teams respectively.

Both animal lovers, Rob and Rebecca jumped at the opportunity to become trustees at Oak Tree, with Rebecca joining two years ago and Rob following a year after.

Rob said: “I’ve always had rescue cats and dogs and really liked what Oak Tree was doing. I felt that I could use my skills to help and give something back.

“As lawyers, we’re trained in decision making, weighing up different risks and outcomes. So, while we don’t give formal legal advice in our roles as trustees, we’re able to apply our skills to a range of situations.”

Founded in 1909 and based at Oak Tree Farm in Wetheral, Oak Tree Animals’ Charity rehomes dogs, cats and equines while also delivering education and advice on animal welfare across North Cumbria.

As trustees, Rob and Rebecca work alongside other local professionals and Oak Tree CEO Matthew Notter to oversee operations and governance, ensuring the charity runs smoothly and complies with Charity Commission rules.

Rebecca explains: “The role of trustee involves shaping strategic direction of the charity. We oversee plans, budgets and policies and input on high-level decisions.

“We all come with different backgrounds – one trustee is a vet and another is from a graphic design background. Working together, we’re able to pool our knowledge and skills to make informed decisions.

One key area of focus during Rob and Rebecca’s time at the charity has been reforming the charity’s rehoming process.

Rob said: “Previously, there had been a very cautious approach to rehoming at the charity, which sometimes ruled out suitable new owners for the animals. Matthew, with the help of the wider team at Oak Tree, has overhauled the process to make it easier for pets to be adopted, while ensuring that animal welfare remains paramount.”

Since Matthew took on the role of CEO in late 2024, the number of animals rehomed at Oak Tree has increased dramatically.

Matthew said: “2025 was an incredible year for adoptions at Oak Tree Animals’ Charity, with dog rehoming up by over 300% and cat rehoming increasing by more than 40%. These figures are a true testament to the dedication and hard work of our Animal Team.”

Fitting in volunteering can be particularly challenging for legal professionals, whose work revolves around supporting clients and meeting tight deadlines. That’s why Cartmell Shepherd ensures staff have the extra support necessary to take on voluntary roles in the community.

Rebecca said: “It was one of our directors who encouraged me at first to apply for the role. The firm has been really supportive, giving us time off for meetings and the annual strategy day, which really helps.”

While the work of a trustee mainly involves meetings and paperwork, neither Rob nor Rebecca is afraid to get their hands dirty.

In July last year, devastating flash floods hit Oak Tree’s rehoming centre. While all the animals thankfully survived, there was significant damage to the facilities.

Rob joined a team of volunteers who worked non-stop to move equipment to safety and clear mud which had settled in the buildings. An urgent appeal was set up raising over £25,000 to cover the costs of the damage.

Donations from the public form a key part of Oak Tree’s income, particularly around January and February time, when the charity sees reduced footfall in its tearoom and shops.

Matthew said: “We can only carry out our vital work thanks to the continued support of our local community. Every donation, big or small, is truly appreciated — whether that’s a financial contribution, shopping at one of our wonderful charity shops, or giving the gift of time through volunteering. We simply couldn’t do what we do without them.”

Thanks in part to Rob and Rebecca’s work as trustees, Oak Tree is now rehoming more pets than ever, giving hundreds of animals a second chance.