Vegan Food & Living’s Animal sanctuary of the month is our celebration of farmed animal and companion animal rescue centres and the wonderful things they do to help our furry (and not-so-furry) friends.
Check back every month to discover a new and exciting sanctuary, and learn how they help rescued cows, pigs, chickens, and more.
There are lots of ways you can show your support for these amazing organisations, like donating, volunteering, or simply following them on social media.
So, take a look below to discover our animal sanctuary of the month, and scroll further to see our archive of previously featured centres.
Want to nominate an animal sanctuary or rescue centre? Email [email protected]
May’s Animal Sanctuary of the month – Nunny’s Farm
nunnysfarmcic.org | Lincolnshire
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Ronnie, Reggie, and Charlie are among the charming characters visitors can meet at Nunny's. Photo © Nunny's Farm
Nunny’s Farm in Lincolnshire may look like a petting farm, but it is actually a place where the public can visit animals who are all rescued from slaughter, overbreeding, or being no longer of ‘use’.
Children are taught about animals and growing food and there’s a fully vegan tea room on site.
Nunny’s is aiming to become a charitable sanctuary so they can rescue more animals on their five acres of land. You can donate at easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/nunnysfarmcic
Previously featured sanctuaries
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April 2024: Sunlight Sanctuary
facebook.com/sunlight-sanctuary | France
Tucked away in rural France, Sunlight Sanctuary takes in unwanted, injured and abused animals and nurses them back to health.
Having outgrown its current location, founders Lucy and Pablo are raising funds for a larger space which will include a vegan education centre with residential courses and workshops.
Madame Celeste, a rabbit rescued from a laboratory, enjoys a tasty treat at Sunlight Sanctuary. Photo © Sunlight Sanctuary via Facebook
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March 2024: Tower Hill Stables
towerhillstables.org | Essex, UK
In 1996, passionate animal lover and endurance runner Fiona Oakes sold everything she had in order to set up a sanctuary for ex-racehorses, farm animals, dogs and other animals in need of rescue.
The sanctuary now houses over 500 animals and, although Fiona fundraises tirelessly, soaring costs mean that they are always in need of donations.
The pigs of Tower Hill Stables enjoy a newly extended house. Photo © Tower Hill Stables Animal Sanctuary via Facebook
February 2024: Oldies Club
oldies.org.uk | UK
It’s hard to imagine giving up an elderly pet, but people’s circumstances can change and sometimes it just can’t be avoided.
That’s where Oldies Club comes in.
The charity is run entirely by volunteers who rescue and rehome dogs across the UK.
Think you could help out or even rehome an older dog? Oldies Club is always looking for donations, volunteers and loving homes, especially for pairs of dogs.
Buddy and Zephy are just two of the older dogs helped by Oldies Club. Photo © Oldies Club via Facebook
January 2024: Dean Farm Animal Sanctuary
deanfarmtrust.org.uk | Chepstow, UK
The sanctuary in Chepstow has been going for over a decade, rescuing more than 200 animals, but is at risk of closing.
As well as providing a life-long home for their residents, they host events open to the public, giving everyone the chance to experience the wonderful things animals can do, and the ability of farm animals to love and bond with humans as cats and dogs do.
They’re committed to the message that all life is sacred, and animals deserve a voice. Donate at deanfarmtrust.org.uk.
Kit and Jesse enjoy the mud at the sanctuary. Photo © Dean Farm Trust via Facebook
December 2023: Millington’s Magical Barn
millingtonsmagicalbarn.com | Yorkshire, UK
“This 100% vegan animal sanctuary is run by the most kind and amazing people doing everything they can for animals,” says reader Candice Haridimou.
Based in Yorkshire, it’s home to almost 90 cows, sheep, chickens, donkeys, alpacas, goats and guinea pigs who have been saved from abuse, neglect or slaughter. Donate at millingtonsmagicalbarn.com.
Some of Millington's resident pigs eagerly await their human friends. Photo © Millington's Magical Barn via Facebook
November 2023: Piece of Heaven Vegan Project
pohpsanctuary.com | British Columbia, Canada
Home to over 150 animals and located on 95 acres in British Columbia, this tranquil refuge provides a unique combination of a safe home for animals, retreat offerings, vegan influencer education and lobbying for dietary change to combat climate change.
POHP desperately needs funding for ongoing projects, including expanding pasture areas and offering accommodation. You can donate now to help out.
Harry and Eddy are just two of the many residents of Piece of Heaven Vegan Project. Photo courtesy of @pieceofheavenproject via Instagram
October 2023: Whitegate Animal Sanctuary
facebook.com/whitegateanimalsanctuary | Wirral, Liverpool, UK
In 2018, Laura Whelan and her two young sons rented a farm and started rescuing animals. They now care for a range of ex-farm animals and unwanted pets, including eight pigs, three cows, seven goats, six sheep, 80 chickens, dogs, cats, and rabbits.
Laura works tirelessly to keep the sanctuary going, and it’s run solely on donations – visit the sanctuary’s Facebook page to give what you can.
Zoe and Chloe share a moment. Photo © Whitegate Animal Sanctuary, Wirral via Facebook
August 2023: Footprints Animal Sanctuary
footprintsanimalsanctuary.co.uk | Cheshire, UK
Run by vegans Lisa, Cara and Jamie, Footprints Animal Sanctuary in Cheshire opened 8 years ago and is now home to some wonderful characters including 29 rescued pigs, 7 goats, 30 sheep, battery farm chickens, discarded cockerels, geese, and ducks.
The sanctuary’s running costs are high, so donations are always welcome.
Snuffles the pig shows off her mid-shed Mohican hair-do. Photo © Footprints Animal Sanctuary via Facebook
July 2023: The Retreat
retreatanimalrescue.org.uk | Kent, UK
Opened in 1989, The Retreat is home to a diverse range of residents including ex-race horses, former riding school ponies, injured sheep from live exports, cows rescued from slaughter, goats from petting farms, birds with injuries, ferrets, Christmas turkeys, worn-out battery hens, fish, cats and dogs.
Over 1,000 animals are looked after at one time. You can show your support for the amazing work done here on their website.
The Retreat supporter Jill meets her namesake Jill the cow. Photo © The Retreat Animal Rescue Farm via Facebook
June 2023: The Rescue Ranch
therescueranch.co.uk | Warwickshire, UK
Nestled in a leafy corner of Warwickshire is one of the UK’s busiest little animal sanctuaries.
Owners, Sue and Julian, set up The Rescue Ranch 27 years ago, buying a small plot of land to house rescued animals. Each one of their animals is a much-loved member of the family and the pair work tirelessly and with complete devotion.
You can follow The Rescue Ranch on Facebook and Instagram, or visit their website.
The goats at The Rescue Ranch, Warwickshire. Photo © The Rescue Ranch via Facebook
May 2023: Coppershell Animal Rescue
coppershellfarmsanctuary.co.uk | Wiltshire, UK
Founded in 2018, Coppershell has helped over 3,000 animals in the last five years and currently has 300 residents, including Elton the cow, Poppy the pig and Marmite the goat.
The sanctuary works tirelessly to provide neglected and unwanted animals rehabilitation and the peaceful life they deserve.
Visit their website to sponsor an animal or volunteer.
Supporters meet Elton the bull, one of the biggest animals at Coppershell. Photo © Coppershell Animal Rescue via Facebook
Want to do your part to help? Here are 10 simple ways to help animals
Featured photo © Nunny’s Farm
