HOPEFIELD Animal Sanctuary's open day featured everything from bric-a-brac stalls to a bouncy castle and there was plenty on offer for all ages.
Dad of two Ben Hinton, 38, from Bocking, had brought along his two children, Sam, aged four, and two-year-old Ruby.
He said: "We try and take the kids to a place with animals at least once a week.
"Days like this are great for the children and the weather is excellent today.
"I haven't been to Hopefield before but it is good to be able to see and support the work they do."
The joint open day was the idea of rabbit re-homing charity Little Angels.
Founder Lucy Gill, 34, from Romford, said: "We are good friends with Hopefield and I admire the work they do.
"I suggested that we try and do something together and this is what we came up with.
"Most of the rabbits that come to us are after a family has bought one for a child who then gets bored.
"People don't realise how much hard work rabbits can be."
Emma Tudor, 36, from Upminster was with her two children, James and Steven, aged 6 and 5 respectively.
"We already have three bunnies from Little Angels and we just wanted to support the work they do," she said. "We love to come and see the animals and James and Steven definitely love the bunny rabbits."
Hopefield volunteers, Emma, 13, and Bethany, 12, were on hand to help out with the rabbits.
"I have been working here six weeks and I really enjoy it," said Emma, who lives in Romford.
"We're both big animal lovers and it is great to help out."
Hopefield's deputy manager Lianne Angliss said: "We need to raise as much money as we can and we do several open days and events like this.
"This is our first event where we have partnered with a smaller charity to help them out."
Meanwhile, Remus horse sanctuary near Ingatestone was hosting its second of six annual open days that run from May until October.
The event's big draw was a dog show but there were also many stalls, morris dancing, karaoke and much more to keep the 1,000 or so visitors entertained.
The dog show featured eight categories and hundreds of dogs turned up, with many winning a coveted rosette. With categories including Musical Sit, to Best Catcher and Best Tail Wagger, the show had something for everyone.
Winner of the Best Cross Breed was 10-month-old Chocie, a border collie deerhound cross from Queens Park, Billericay.
Owner Hazel Truman, 64, said: "I can't believe it – I am over the moon.
"My dog Sam had just passed away this week.
"He was 14 years old and meant everything to me.
"Red was Sam's colour.
"He never used to win and always came 2nd or 3rd.
"So I dressed up Chocie in red in memory of Sam and we won.
"It is a really nice tribute to my old westie Sam."
Coming first in the Best Veteran category was 14-year-old golden retriever Bailey, who was being shown by nine-year-old Jessica Rowe from Chelmsford.
Jessica's father Steve Rowe, 45, said: "It is really good that he won. I have had him since he was a pup and he was my first dog."
Remus deputy secretary manager Vicky Thorogood said: "Events like these are vital.
"Each one pulls in around £5,000 – this one has been really popular and I reckon it will raise even more.
"We have around 200 large animals on site and they depend on events like these."
