David Walker and DJ - Founders
Elderly ewes at the sanctuary
Goodheart Animal Sanctuaries (GHAS) was officially launched in 2017 by our friends David Walker and Dwynwen Jones (DJ). The charity is dedicated to creating awareness around welfare issues within the farming and pet industries and providing safe sanctuary and relief from cruelty and suffering for rescued, abused, and neglected animals at their Farm Animal Sanctuary in Worcestershire.
Animals in their care include those rescued from factory farming where they have been kept confined indoors all their lives, and new-borns destined to be destroyed or abandoned simply because they are not profitable. Unfortunately, consumer demand for cheap products results in a host of animal welfare issues within the farm industry as the animals are simply treated as commodities.
Others receiving care at the sanctuary are those individuals originally bought as pets or ‘unusual’ gifts who grow too large for their owners to handle and ex-working animals who can no longer fulfil their ‘purpose’. The growing trend in ‘micro pigs’ continues to lead to a huge number of unexpectedly large pigs who are deemed unsuitable as pets and are often neglected, many of which have found a forever home at Goodheart.
OAT was delighted to support Goodheart’s Pig Barn and Woodland project, a new facility where rescued pigs have the space and opportunity to carry out natural foraging behaviours and an open grassy space where they can live in larger groups and most recently have supported Goodheart’s brand new project, a Rehabilitation & Special Care Unit, a multi-functional area which will benefit a number of rescued animals, including:
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Our equines, some of which are elderly or require special care
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New residents who require rest or quarantine whilst being assessed
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Elderly or unwell animals who may be undergoing treatment or rehabilitation
What Goodheart Animal Sanctuaries do
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Provide lifetime care for rescued farm animals who have been mistreated or discarded
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Campaign against the shocking treatment that occurs due to bad farming practices
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Offer the public the opportunity to engage and learn about animals through their stories, sanctuary open days, and educational tours
How Olsen Animal Trust helps
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Funding support for the Pig Barn and Woodland project, a new facility for rescued pigs
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Helping to kickstart Goodheart’s brand new project, the Rehabilitation & Special Care Unit
Project Images - hover over for details
Rescued Jersey calves
These beautiful Jersey calves were saved from slaughter and taken in by GHAS when they were deemed too sick to warrant expensive care by a veal farmer. Sadly, many animals like this are seen purely as commodities and are often abandoned or destroyed if for whatever reason they are deemed unprofitable. On arrival, their survival didn’t look promising, however 24-hour care from GHAS's dedicated team ensured that all the calves pulled through.
A pigs life...
OAT have supported the creation of GHAS's new pig area. This consists of a barn, woodland and grass paddocks which provide rescued pigs with the best possible environment in which to live and interact in groups and exhibit their natural behaviour. It is becoming more widely known and accepted that pigs are one of the cleanest and most intelligent animals and the happy pigs at GHAS are good proof of this fact!
Raising awareness at Nickless
OATOKE Dave Higgs, joined Peter Egan (of Downton Abbey Fame) on a visit to Nickless Farm Sanctuary to raise awareness of this very special facility for rescued farm animals. Peter Egan is Chairman of the RSPCA and patron of numerous animal charities. Peter is a vegan and has a very soft spot for farm animals. Pictured here with the GHAS's founders and management team together with Dave.
Rescued lambs
These little lambs were unwanted by a profit driven farmer and arrived at the sanctuary in a fragile state, not wanting to feed and in one case unable to stand. They were regularly bottle-fed and initially given 24-hour care by GHAS's farm manager, in his house. Now, thanks to the dedication of the team the lambs are all thriving at the sanctuary.
Harry the pony
The very first resident at Goodheart was Harry the pony, who arrived before the sanctuary had even opened their doors! Harry previously lived with a group of travellers but kept escaping. Finally, they no longer wanted to keep him, so he found himself looking for a new home and Goodheart were only too happy to oblige.
Teddy the sheep
Teddy was found wandering alone on a farm road by the founders of GHAS. He was underweight and had cuts on his body and face. Luckily for Teddy they acted quickly and transported him to the sanctuary. Having received the medical care he badly needed he is now recovering in a lush green paddock accompanied by Blondie the cow. Once his condition has improved, he will move in permanently with other rescued ewes.
Adoption boxes
To raise funds for the care of their animals, Goodheart has launched a range of fun adoption boxes, allowing supporters to symbolically adopt one of their rescued residents. As well as raising awareness, the boxes make fantastic gifts for children and adults. You can learn more about them here: www.goodheartanimalsanctuaries.com/adopt
Goodheart home for rescued hens
In summer 2021, Goodheart Animal Sanctuaries reached their target of £35,000 needed to build a brand-new hen area, which will provide a home to hundreds of rescued hens, as well as cockerels. The Goodheart Home for Rescued Hens comprises four spacious areas, complete with open grassland and cosy safe coops and will be ready to welcome its new residents in spring 2022.
Rehab and Special Care Unit
Goodheart’s latest habitat development project is a Rehabilitation and Special Care Unit which will be used by the sanctuary’s equines and other elderly residents. The project will include a spacious stable block, treatment & storage room, and an all-weather paddock, which will benefit those laminitic equines who cannot always have access to grass.
For further information on the wonderful and inspirational work of Goodheart Animal Sanctuaries please visit www.goodheartanimalsanctuaries.com