Thanks to your caring support, the funds raised since Heartstone Sanctuary had to relocate - for the 2nd time - have made an enormous difference.
They have helped fund essential infrastructure, emergency works, animal care, feed, bedding, utilities and the many costs involved in establishing a new permanent home for the sanctuary’s residents. This incredible support has allowed us to keep the cows fed, bedded, medicated, and comfortable through months of crisis, and it has enabled us to complete most of the mandatory infrastructure required by the authorities.
Despite this huge milestone, the need continues.
Because the goal of previous fundraisers were set many months ago, the funds raised had to since been used for essential survival costs - feed, hay, straw, bedding, healthcare products, and emergency materials. And while the majority of the legally required works have now been carried out, the final mandatory tasks remain unfinished. These last steps are the most complex, the most expensive, and the most urgent.
To finally secure the sanctuary and hopefully protect the cows long‑term, thousands more are still needed.
Before winter arrives, we must urgently complete:
The final mandatory works required by authorities (cow shed: cladding, spouting, apex covering, welding work, improving steel work - rain, storm and snow protection)
Concrete flooring for the horse shed
Critical fencing across the sanctuary
Ongoing feed, hay, straw, bedding, and healthcare
Environmental protection measures for the river (in near future/when funds can be raised)
These are not optional improvements - they are essential for safety, compliance, and survival.
It is over 8 years now, since Heartstone became a sanctuary, and since 2022 - when their original home in Sligo collapsed and was lost due to permanent flooding and the farm sinking as a result - founder Nía has been fighting every single day to keep these animals alive and safe. She has rebuilt from nothing, spent the whole last bitter winter/7 months without power, warm water, heating, dry spaces, ability to take a shower or wash clothes, fought through chronic stress and extreme exhaustion, and carried out all daily tasks largely alone. In a last attempt to save the cows, Nía only had the funds to buy something totally derelict - no power or internet connection, no warmth, no comforts, no dry house.
She will continue as long as the cows exist (and her body allows) - but she cannot do this without your support.
They (Nía and animals) urgently need your help to hopefully finally get the cows to safety.
If you can donate - especially recurringly - you will directly protect the cows’ future. If you cannot donate, please share the fundraiser, reach out to philanthropists, or forward it to anyone who you think might be able and willing to help.
And the animals still need people on the ground, too.
There is no team behind Heartstone. No staff or volunteers caring for the animals.
The daily care of the animals - feeding, mucking out, medical routines, maintenance, heavy lifting and the endless physical work required to keep the animals safe and cared-for - is always carried out by Nía, voluntarily, who desperately needs both financial support and long-term volunteers to make this workload sustainable.
Every contribution matters. Every share matters. Every person who helps, keeps this sanctuary moving forward! >>>
These animals have a home. We need to make sure they can keep it. 💚
Heartstone is a vegan organic and earth-friendly sanctuary and v-wilding (vegan rewilding) project with an unwavering commitment to accommodating the animals' rights to the utmost extent safely possible. The cows are currently roaming 40 acres of pasture, woodland and riverside habitat. Heartstone's concept also entails community-building, skill and food share, veganic permaculture and forest gardening, and more.
Thank you for standing with us.
On behalf of Nía, Founder of Heartstone Sanctuary
