New Fundraising Goal: €35,000
We have started this fundraiser from scratch on 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 literal life or imminent death with no other possible options to save the cows' lives.
Funds will be used for:
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Crush equipment and hardware to meet legal requirements
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Completing the cow shed roofing
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Gates, pens, and safe handling areas
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Feed, hay, and bedding
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Medication and essential animal care supplies
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 be forced to 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, Nía finally secured a new home for Heartstone’s residents, 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:
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Major groundworks and site preparation
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Concreting and essential structural repairs
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Erecting emergency shelters
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Roofing and weatherproofing shelters
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Installing (limited) fencing and gates
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Installing electricity
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Providing feed, hay, and bedding to get through the harsh Irish winter
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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. 💚