Three lambs left to die have been rescued, and other updates
Toby, one of three adorable lambs who were left alone to fend for themselves. Thankfully they are now with us and receiving urgent care.
We have wonderful news for all of you today! Just yesterday we took in three adorable lambs who had been left to perish in a farmer’s field.
Unfortunately, because Toby (pictured) had been neglected and effectively left to die, he’s needing lots of care and attention. We do not know if he had colostrum from his mother, which is incredibly important for a newborn lamb’s survival as it is highly nutritious and contains antibodies that are vital to help protect against disease. At the moment it is still touch and go with Toby, he seems to be doing okay and is feeding, which is a great sign. He also likes to get lots of cuddles, which we’re more than happy to provide!
We also have two female lambs with us who are around 4/5 days old. We’ve been told that they are sisters and that their mother had sadly died. We have named these beautiful girls Ivy and Dora, they are doing well so far and have been jumping around and playing. All three of them are of course very young and unfortunately things can change very quickly. That being said we’re keeping a close eye on them all and are preparing for a run of sleepless nights. But who needs sleep when you have these adorable faces looking up at you.
Welcome to the family Toby, Ivy & Dora. We hope so much that you’ll all be okay.
Follow our Instagram for more updates on all our residents.
The pond project is shaping up nicely
Work is well underway on our pond, with all the overgrown bushes and trees now cut back to reveal the full area. The digger has been in to clear out and the plan is in motion to create a full ‘ecosystem pond’:
The pond is called an ecosystem pond. It will encourage all sorts of wildlife from dragonflies to hedgehogs drinking from the pond. The design of the pond incorporates aquatic plants of many species from Gunneras to yellow flag iris to marsh marigolds and many more. The design of the pond enables all types of wildlife to access the water because of its gently sloping banks. The water will be filtered through an upflow wetland filter which is a very naturally designed way of keeping a water body healthy and removing sediments and organic matter. Beneficial bacteria will be added to the pond to ensure optimum water quality too. The pond will have no black liner showing and will look completely natural surrounded by a beautiful meadow.
Hard at work clearing out the pond area, which will become an ‘ecosystem pond’ for wildlife.
Kevyn the shy pig is making friends :)
Kevyn has been with us a few weeks now and his personality is really beginning to shine through!
Kevyn used to live in a building yard setting and he wasn't really socialised with many other animals, apart from cats. His previous caregivers felt that he was very depressed and wanted a better life for him, which is how he ended up here with us. When he first arrived at the sanctuary he was very nervous and just wanted to be left on his own.
Kevyn now has his own stall in our main stables, and although he still spends most of his time by himself he has slowly been socialising with the other pigs. Kevyn and Nigel clashed a little at the beginning, mainly because Nigel is super friendly and doesn’t always know to respect Kevyn’s personal space. However, slowly but surely, they are spending more and more time together and we’re confident it will only be a matter of time before they become good friends.
It turns out that Kevyn is a huge fan of fruit and he’ll happily demolish a punnet of strawberries in no time at all! He also loves sweetcorn, although he doesn’t really care for many other vegetables. We’re so happy that Kevyn has begun to wander around more and is becoming increasingly curious by everything that is happening around him. He still very much likes his own space, but it’s been so rewarding to see how much progress he is making each week and it’s safe to say that he has already occupied a very special place in our hearts here at the sanctuary.
The rescued broiler chickens are doing well
Two weeks ago we had some new residents arrive! Seven broiler chicks found their way to us, via some amazing activists who secured their release by negotiations with a chicken factory farmer.
When they arrived they were only around four weeks old and were only two weeks away from being slaughtered for their flesh. All seven were in terrible condition, covered in faeces, and most could barely walk and carry their own weight, and all had respiratory issues. They all seemed so exhausted and it truly seemed like they had given up.
We really didn't think they would make it when they arrived, but with some warm accommodation, natural light - chicken sheds have their lights on 24/7 - antibiotics, and a strict diet we are so pleased to say they are all flourishing!
You would not think they were the same chickens to see them now, they are all so mobile, they now spend their days out in our outside avian flu safe aviary.
Because of the way they have been bred to grow so fast, it is very unlikely they will make it to two years old (and probably a lot less), but they will be safe and happy with us for their entire life. It was beautiful to see them on the grass for the first time in their lives.
Their lives are so unlike the thousands of chickens who were in the same factory farm facility, who already would have been killed for something as trivial as a sandwich.
Please choose #vegan for them.
Paul and Roo having an amazing time in the sunshine!
Check out our video of Paul and Roo enjoying the sunshine. Can you believe that anyone would have wanted to hurt them?
Sadly the reality is that most dairy calves never get to experience this kind of joy, being taken from their mothers days soon after they are born, the girls to become dairy mothers themselves and the boys either shot or raised for veal or sold into beef herds.
Cows are beautiful, sentient individuals who love life every bit as much as the animals we think of as our companions. Paul and Roo running and playing like puppies reminds us of that fact.
Avian flu restrictions to be lifted on March 31st
The national bird flu restrictions are being lifted later this month, meaning an end to lockdown for many chickens.
If anyone would like some of these lovely ladies in their life, we are still looking for homes. Contact us via our re-homing form if you can offer a loving forever home for these deserving ladies.
Pete and Nigel becoming best buddies
Pete and Nigel have really bonded and have become the best of friends, and we couldn’t be happier.
When we lost Gus, we were really worried about Pete and how his future would look without his brother. Little Nigel had been great at keeping him company and is always by his side. They keep each other warm just fine… next is getting Kevyn in the same bed!
Little Nigel has picked up Pete's noisiness and also likes nothing more than to make a huge racket.
