Hello!

We’re Marcus and Rhian, and we started Sanctuary Coffee to do two things: to roast beautiful coffee; and to share what we make with animal charities.

Why? Well, let us set the scene…

It’s February 2019. Founders Marcus and Rhian have just moved into their first flat in London and adopt a rescued ex-racing greyhound.

Ahead of signing the papers, the couple set off to volunteer with the greyhounds and help walk just a handful of the 80 rescues on site. Weekend after weekend, walk after walk, greyhound after greyhound.

Until one weekend. Dionne (then Gail) had just landed at the shelter after nearly three years of racing and she was due her first walk. She bounds out of the kennels like a bundle of pure joy heading straight over to us. Our hearts were set and the ‘trial’ overnight stay became Dionne’s forever home.

During our volunteering, we learnt a lot. We learnt about rescues, volunteers and the hard graft and personal sacrifice needed to keep a shelter running. Almost zero rescues in the UK receive government funding leaving over three million rescued, abandoned and abused animals relying on donations to survive.

Knowing that our personal donations wouldn’t be enough to make much of impact, Marcus and Rhian got to work on Sanctuary Coffee. A way to make the nation’s favourite cup (sorry tea) go a little bit further.