January 2025:
Frozen Pipes, Festive Treats, and Winter Challenges

A month of winter challenges and teamwork.

As we bid farewell to 2024 and step into a brand-new year, we want to extend our warmest wishes to all our incredible supporters.

Your unwavering generosity and kindness throughout the past year have made a world of difference to the animals in our care. 

Here’s to a 2025 filled with happiness, laughter, and love!

 

A Heartfelt Thanks for Christmas Donations

This Christmas season brought an unexpected but greatly appreciated gift.

Thanks to the generosity of our local Waitrose and Tesco, we received a huge donation of surplus fruits and vegetables—Christmas stock that hadn’t been sold.

The timing couldn’t have been better. The sheep, goats, cows, and pigs were absolutely delighted with the extra treats! Watching their joy as they enjoyed the feast was a reminder of the kindness and community spirit that sustains us all year round.

Unpredictable Weather to Start the Year

The beginning of 2025 has been anything but dull, with Mother Nature throwing a bit of everything our way.

  • Snow: Although it was just a light dusting, the pigs took full advantage, retreating to their cosy beds to enjoy a lazy day indoors. There’s something heartwarming about their ability to turn every situation into a chance for comfort and rest!

  • Flooding: Having dealt with floods before, we knew how to respond quickly and efficiently to keep the animals safe. Still, it’s a challenge we never take lightly.

Battling the Big Freeze: -6°C and Frozen Pipes

The winter freeze hit us hard this year, with temperatures plunging to -6°C overnight. Every water pipe on the property froze solid, leaving the barns, paddocks, and all our animals temporarily without water.

This situation is never ideal, but it’s particularly challenging when caring for animals with significant water needs—especially cows. 

On average, a single cow can drink between 30 and 50 gallons of water a day, depending on their size and diet. 

With 14 cows in our care, that’s a minimum of 420 gallons needed daily. 

Moving that much water manually, especially in icy conditions, was simply not an option.

Problem-Solving Under Pressure

The freezing temperatures called for immediate action. Our regular handyman came to the rescue, arriving armed with kettles of boiling water and plenty of expertise. Defrosting the main water pipe took hours of careful work to ensure the ice melted without damaging the system. Slowly but surely, the flow of water was restored.

In the meantime, we set up a temporary system to distribute water across the sanctuary. Troughs were refilled, and all animals—including the cows, sheep, and pigs—were finally able to drink their fill.

Looking Ahead...

What a start to the year it has been! Yet, as we navigate these challenges, we remain optimistic. Warmer days are on the horizon, bringing new opportunities to care for our beloved animals and share their stories with you.

Your support makes everything we do possible.

Whether it’s braving freezing temperatures, tackling floods, or simply ensuring our animals have their favourite treats, we couldn’t do it without you. Together, let’s make 2025 a year filled with hope, joy, and meaningful impact.

Thank you for standing by our side.

Here’s to another year of making a difference – together!

2025 Pic

2025 Calendar – STILL Available!

The 2025 Calendar is still available!

This beautiful edition showcases 11 stunning photographs of our beloved rescued residents, with a unique twist for December that we absolutely adore. 

Each month, you’ll be greeted by the friendly faces of our sanctuary animals, making it the perfect way to celebrate the year ahead while supporting our work. 

There’s truly no better way to usher in each new month than with these heartwarming images!