Hi everyone,
a quick update on 06/08/26.
Thanks to your kind support and many caring and generous donations, the previous fundraising goal of €35,000 has been reached a few days ago. However, because the fundraiser had been set up in March and the goal calculated to meet the immediate requirements back then, five months ago, the largest part of the funds had to in the meantime be used for feed, bedding, healthcare products, and other basic expenses.
Nevertheless, particularly with some incredibly kind private supporters stepping in, the largest part of the mandatory works has been carried out since. However, the last part is always the most tricky one, the finishing line in sight but light years away; and we are still far from actually being ready. Not to mention that after the mandatory works have been finished, there will still be tens of thousands worth of other crucial works that have to be carried out before autumn hits: the horse shed needs a concrete floor, fencing urgently needs to be completed, and environmental issues need to urgently be addressed, too, to protect the river - and of course hay, feed and bedding etc. are a constant and significant expense, too.
Thus, devastatingly, there is still no guarantee the gang will be safe. But, we are a huge step closer, and since I haven't been doing anything since April 2024 than desperately trying to meet the authorities' (read: animal agriculture's) requirements again after Heartstone's original home farm in Sligo sank in order to save the cows, that's what I will keep doing as long as there are either cows, or I am able to. And, of course, I need your help with that.
Please donate what you can, ideally recurringly, please share, and please be so kind to reach out to anyone who could finally get us back on solid ground, financially and in terms of work load. You can find a few details about our history further below, and more in the https://linktr.ee/HeartstoneSanctuary.
Thank you! (Nía, founder of Heartstone)
New Fundraising Goal: €50,000
We have started this fundraiser from scratch on founder Nía and Heartstone's behalf so supporters can clearly see what is being raised and what is still needed.
The €35,000 will go directly toward the most urgent expenses required to ensure Heartstone Sanctuary can be made compliant with government regulations in order to save the cows from imminently being seized and killed by the authorities. To raise these funds is of utmost urgency and a matter of life or imminent death with no other possible options to save the cows' lives.
Edit: since the funds still have not been raised over 4 months after this fundraiser was set up, and the final deadline for meeting Government regulations was end of November '25, there is no guarantee the works can be completed before it is too late. That said, we have to keep trying because it is the only and last chance there is to save the lives of Heartstone's cows.
Funds will be used for:
* Completing the cow shed roofing
* Gates, pens, and safe handling area
* Hardware, concrete, gravel and labour to meet legal requirements
These improvements - especially the legally required infrastructure - are essential to ensure that the animals can continue receiving the care they need. It is no exaggeration that without the mandatory infrastructure, authorities will imminently seize all cows. 💔
All funds are transferred directly via Donorbox and used immediately for the sanctuary's most pressing needs.
Background & Journey So Far:
After months of urgent uncertainty, panic, and an eviction deadline - all a result of a fraudulent situation and no fault of the sanctuary's - Nía finally secured a new home for Heartstone’s residents, though derelict, and relocated end of November 2025. The sanctuary is currently home to 23 cows, 4 horses and ponies, 2 dogs and a cat, with the goal to become a permanent haven built on compassion, vegan, and ecological values.
The move followed a prolonged and ongoing period of financial strain, legal pressure, and extreme weather challenges. After relocation, the sanctuary faced winter conditions with extremely limited infrastructure, no electricity, hot water, or heating all through winter and until recently, and emergency shelter had to be installed. All progress has depended entirely on fundraising support - and significant improvements have been made.
Funds raised so far have enabled:
*
Major groundworks and site preparation
*
Concreting and essential structural repairs
*
Erecting emergency shelters
*
Roofing and weatherproofing shelters
*
Installing (limited) fencing and gates
*
Installing electricity
*
Providing feed, hay, and bedding to get through the harsh Irish winter
*
Volunteer accommodation
Can you help? Do you know (of) anyone who might?
Every contribution, no matter the size, truly adds up. This is, undoubtedly, the most critical moment imaginable, and the very last chance to save Heartstone's cows.
Heartstone remains focused on building a secure, safe, and permanent sanctuary home. If the continuation of Heartstone can be secured, your continued support will be helping transform the land into a safe refuge where the animals can thrive long term.
There is a common misconception that Heartstone Sanctuary has a team of volunteers or staff helping with daily animal care. This is not the case. All care - feeding, mucking out, medical routines, heavy lifting, and the continuous physical work required to keep the cows safe - is carried out entirely by Nía, the founder, working entirely alone.
She has been working to the point of complete exhaustion every single day for many years now to protect the animals.
Long-term live-in volunteers are thus also urgently needed to make this workload sustainable. Please get in touch if you can help.
Please help them survive. Please connect them with anyone who may be able to help.
Every donation - large or small - makes a real difference.
Thank you for standing with them. 💚