Lots of Ways to Support Fabulous Farm Sanctuaries
Farm sanctuaries (not the same as ‘city farms’) are where abused and neglected animals live the rest of their lives in peace, taken care of by dedicated volunteers, often on shoestring budgets. Sometimes they even take in animals from farmers who can’t cope anymore with sending them off to slaughter, and are ‘safe havens’ to drop them off for happy lives!
Farmed animals have legal rights. Most farmers welcome a friendly word. Or if no joy, you can report concerns.
In the USA, one rescued chicken at Farm Sanctuary loves music. But ‘marches off in disgust’, if visitors sing to her out-of-tune!
Ways to Support Farm Sanctuaries
- Type ‘farm sanctuary’ at Find That Charity to bring up a list (add your county to find local ones).
- You can donate anonymously through Charities Aid Foundation (add Gift Aid if you’re a taxpayer).
- Add the charity as your cause at easyfundraising. Then anytime you shop from a participating shop or service, it donates, at no cost to you (loyalty points are not affected).
- Many sanctuaries have a ‘wish list’ of goods like animal feed, bedding materials, unscented cleaning products and veterinary supplies. Some also need old newspapers and blankets/towels (no tassels).
- Donate MudControl slabs, these are used by farmers and equestrians to turn muddy ground into safe passing places, or to eat hay. They are used with sand for easy installation.
- Open Sanctuary offers free guides (by species) written by experts, with free art to make the information easy to understand.
- Next time you’re stocking up on organic tees and sweatshirts, buy from clothing brands that help farm sanctuaries.
- Volunteers are always needed – from animal care skills to cleaning, feeding and building. Use pet-safe gardening (many plants are toxic to animals, including livestock and equines, including yew, oak, sycamore, privet, laurel, buckthorn and holly).
A Few Lovely Farm Sanctuaries to Support
- Baah-land has over 100 happy residents, and is run on a shoestring budget, by dedicated volunteers.
- Surge Sanctuary is set in 18 acres in the rural Midlands. Residents include lambs saved from becoming Easter lunch, pigs rescued from abattoirs and animals that used to live on building sites. Supported by London’s Unity Diner.
- The Farm Animal Sanctuary was established nearly 40 years ago, when the founder saw sick diseased animals for sale at a livestock market. The sanctuary costs £2500 a day to run. Its patron is Joanna Lumley.
- Goodheart Sanctuaries gives home to over 300 rescued animals in 92 acres of rolling countryside between Worcestershire/Shropshire. The sanctuary also has two large pools for waterfowl.
- The Farm Animal Sanctuary has one pig found by workers on the M42 (likely fallen off a trailer en-route to an illegal abattoir).
- Goodheart Sanctuaries is home to over 300 animals in 92 acres of rolling countryside, with two large pools, for rescued waterfowl.
- Hillfields Animal Sanctuary offers refuge for 300 animals, who live out their days free from fear, neglect or cruelty.
