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Welcome to The Farm Animal Sanctuary, where compassion and care come together to give rescued animals a new lease on life.
Here, you’ll discover the heartwarming and sometimes heartbreaking stories of our residents—each one a testament to the resilience and spirit of animals who have endured suffering but found sanctuary with us.
Our sanctuary is more than just a home for these animals; it’s a place of healing, hope, and second chances.
We invite you to explore their stories, get involved, and witness the impact of your support. Whether you’re considering a visit, looking to volunteer, or simply want to stay informed through our newsletter, there’s a place for you in our community.
Join us in making a difference, one animal at a time.
A few weeks ago, our team received an urgent and distressing call for help. A group of goats was found in dire conditions, desperately in need of immediate rescue. These poor animals were living a nightmare: several were lame, limping, or forced to walk on just three legs, while one goat was discovered lying on her side, unable to get up. The field they were in had no access to fresh water, and the heartbreaking sight of eight of their deceased friends’ carcasses, left to rot, was a stark reminder of the danger these goats were facing.
Without hesitation, we prepared for the 230-mile round trip to save them. The journey was long, but we knew there was no time to waste. We couldn’t leave these vulnerable creatures to suffer the same fate as their lost companions. By the time we returned to the sanctuary, it was midnight. Despite the late hour, we made sure to settle them in with deep straw beds, plenty of hay, and fresh water, ensuring they had the comfort and care they so desperately needed.
The next morning, we arranged for a vet visit to assess their health. The examination revealed the extent of their suffering: all of them were battling a severe lice infestation, which had caused them to lose patches of hair due to constant itching. Faecal tests showed a heavy worm burden, further weakening them, and blood tests indicated exposure to harmful toxins. To make matters worse, half of them were dealing with painful foot problems, making every step a struggle.
However, with the right care and treatment, these resilient goats began their journey to recovery. They received all the medical attention they needed, including treatments for lice, worms, and foot issues. Slowly but surely, their health improved, and we began to see a transformation. Their personalities started to shine through, and despite everything they had endured, they began to trust us.
Today, these once-suffering goats are happier and healthier, enjoying life at our sanctuary. Their journey is a testament to the power of compassion and the importance of never giving up, no matter the distance or difficulty. We are grateful to have been able to give them the chance to live the life they deserve.
These wonderful donkeys, who are brothers, came to us just recently under urgent circumstances. We were alerted that they were scheduled to be euthanized the following day, so we immediately went out to assess the situation.
Tragically, their owner, an elderly gentleman, had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had arranged for the donkeys to be put to sleep. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for a human welfare issue to lead to an animal welfare problem. The owner believed he was making the best decision under the circumstances.
However, these donkeys are only four years old, and we felt strongly that they deserved a chance at a full and happy life. Our vet and trustee, Josie Kemp, assessed the donkeys. Although they required considerable treatment, we made the decision—despite the financial burden—that the right thing to do was to offer them a home.
Donkeys are often some of the most mistreated and abused animals on earth, yet they are incredibly spiritual creatures, with many believing they have the ability to look straight into your soul.
They also hold a special place in our hearts, especially around Christmas time.
Despite the financial challenges, we believe that offering these two boys a loving home for life was undoubtedly the right thing to do, and we hope you agree.
In early January 2022, eleven sheep in desperate need of help were brought to us. These sheep came from a farm where, shockingly, the dead bodies of starved and infected sheep were regularly removed. Despite multiple reports to the authorities, no action had been taken. We can only wonder how many lives were lost before the situation was finally brought to our attention.
Our vet was immediately called to examine the sheep. She confirmed that they were severely malnourished, suffering from the highest worm count she had ever encountered in a living animal, and were badly infected with sheep scab.
Tragically, we lost one of the sheep that first night. We named him Paddy, but our efforts came too late to save him. He had been found lying under a hedge, unable to stand or even sit up. We administered fluids, vitamins, and our life-saving remedy—Golden syrup porridge. After a few syringes, Paddy began to take the porridge on his own, giving us hope that he might pull through. Although he didn’t make it, we find some comfort in knowing that he spent his final moments cared for, with a deep bed and a belly full of warm porridge.
The treatment for the remaining ten sheep was a slow and steady process. In cases like these, treating all ailments at once can lead to shock, so we proceeded carefully. Over the course of many weeks, the sheep received wormers, injections, vitamins, food, salt licks, and the sweetest hay.
Slowly but surely, their health improved. The once blank expressions on their faces began to fill with life, and their cheeky personalities started to emerge. Three months after they arrived, they were finally well enough to undergo their final treatment to rid them of sheep scab.
They thrived, and when they were healthy enough to venture onto the lush spring grass, they bounced with more energy and joy than any other sheep we’ve ever known.
With the support and expertise of our dedicated veterinarian, we successfully brought a case of gross neglect and unnecessary suffering of sheep to court. After receiving a distressing complaint, we visited the sheep and found them in a heartbreaking state—weak, distressed, and crawling with maggots.
With our local police overseeing the operation and our vet on hand, we swiftly removed twelve of the most severely affected animals that evening.
The maggot infestation was the worst our vet had ever seen in a living animal. These sheep were just days away from succumbing to a painful and agonizing death.
One ewe, lying motionless with her head on the ground, was slated for euthanasia to end her suffering. But then she lifted her head and looked directly into the vet’s eyes. In that moment, it was clear that she had the will to live. We decided to bring her home, and we named her Hope.
Hope survived, and so did all the others. They remained calm and trusting as their wounds were treated and their decaying fleeces were removed. Weeks later, these twelve sheep had transformed into bright, confident ewes.
Though the scars on their bodies would remain for much longer, the trauma in their memories had begun to fade.
The owner was permanently banned from keeping animals, and we were able to rescue the remaining sheep from his care.
Jacqueline was forced into pregnancy when she was far too young, leading to severe malnutrition and a desperate struggle to give birth. Our vet had to perform an emergency cesarean section on Jacqueline, right by the side of the road, as her field was nothing more than a quagmire.
The cattle there were knee-deep in mud, barely able to move. We gave the owner no choice: Jacqueline and her calf were coming back to the sanctuary with us.
This owner had been repeatedly reported for causing unnecessary suffering to his animals, yet no meaningful action was ever taken—he was simply told to “try and do better.”
Fortunately, Jacqueline made a full recovery and was able to stay with us, safe and sound, alongside her calf, Josephine. They have never spent a day apart since, and they never will as long as they live.
Late on a Wednesday afternoon, a young piglet, just a few months old, was found unconscious on the side of the M42. Local council workers discovered him in dire condition and carefully carried him into the back of their van, bringing him back to their depot.
A vet was called immediately, and the prognosis was grim. It appeared that the piglet had fallen from a trailer or some other vehicle, leaving him badly cut, bruised, severely concussed, and in shock. His chances of surviving the night were uncertain, so the decision was made to let him rest overnight to avoid further stress.
In the meantime, the RSPCA reached out to several local sanctuaries, urgently seeking a home for the piglet if he pulled through. We were the only ones to respond that evening, and fortunately, we had a space available. The next morning, the piglet was deemed fit to travel, and he arrived at our sanctuary.
Over the next few days, he focused on recuperating. Still sore and sleepy, he was given breakfast in bed and the time he needed to fully recover. The once subdued piglet has since transformed into quite the character!
Every morning, he eagerly runs across his paddock to greet us with a chorus of grunts and squeals, impatiently awaiting his breakfast.
We rescue ex-battery hens as often as we can, taking in as many as our space allows over the years. When they first emerge from their crates, they blink in the daylight, nearly featherless, their feet calloused from spending their entire lives standing on wire floors.
But as soon as they recover from the shock of seeing grass for the first time, something beautiful happens. They remember. They remember how to forage for insects, how to bask in the sun with their wings spread wide, and how to chase after flying insects with newfound energy.
These hens endured a life of imprisonment, unaware that they had done nothing to deserve such cruelty.
The abuse of animals, especially farm animals, happens openly—it’s happening right now in markets, sales yards, and on farms across the country.
We have countless stories of animal abuse and rescues to share—far too many to count.
If you’d like to learn more, please reach out to us. Sign up for our monthly newsletter here, or better yet, pay us a visit and meet these resilient animals yourself.
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