Goodheart Animal Sanctuaries

Goodheart Animal Sanctuaries We are dedicated to creating safe sanctuaries for abused and neglected animals. Goodheart Farm Anima
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With the help of our valued supporters, weโ€™re working towards a better future for animals through compassion, education, and advocacy. We care for over 350 rescued animals at our headquarters, Goodheart Farm Animal Sanctuary based in Worcestershire. As part of our dedicated Education Programme, we facilitate meaningful connections between visitors and our residents, helping to reshape perceptions

of โ€œso calledโ€ farm animals and raise awareness of their suffering. Alongside this, we back national campaigns to prevent animal cruelty and inspire people of all generations to make compassionate lifestyle changes.

๐Ÿ…1st Verified Farm Sanctuary in Europe by GFAS
๐Ÿ† 2022 Outstanding Farmed Animal Sanctuary by GFAS

This   ๐Ÿฐ we want to bust some common myths about rabbits and shine a light on their needs ๐Ÿ’šHere at Goodheart, we're prou...
25/06/2024

This ๐Ÿฐ we want to bust some common myths about rabbits and shine a light on their needs ๐Ÿ’š

Here at Goodheart, we're proud to be the forever home of two delightful rescued rabbits, Bigwig and Fiver, and we know them as the smart, curious and quirky individuals they are. But did you know that rabbits often don't get the care they truly need, leading to serious welfare issues?

โŒ Myth: Rabbits aren't farm animals.
โœ… Truth: Unfortunately, in the UK, rabbits are farmed for their meat, fur, and wool, and some even for animal experimentation.

โŒ Myth: Rabbits are low-maintenance pets.
โœ… Truth: Rabbits require as much attention and care as a dog or cat. They thrive in a spacious environment with plenty of enrichment and social interaction.

โŒ Myth: A small hutch is enough for a rabbit.
โœ… Truth: Rabbits need space to hop, run, and explore. Keeping them in a tiny cage or hutch can severely impact their physical and mental well-being.

Rabbits can make wonderful companies animals when given the right environment and care. Letโ€™s work together to ensure that all rabbits receive the love and attention they deserve. ๐Ÿฅ•๐Ÿ’š

For more information on rabbit welfare, head over to the Rabbit Awareness Week page!

Jacob the Jersey decided to help out with the feed rounds this morning! ๐Ÿฎ We love his enthusiasm, but weโ€™re not so sure ...
24/06/2024

Jacob the Jersey decided to help out with the feed rounds this morning! ๐Ÿฎ We love his enthusiasm, but weโ€™re not so sure about his quad bike driving skills! ๐Ÿšœ๐Ÿ˜‚

Introducing... Goodheart stickers! ๐Ÿ’ฅ๐Ÿ’šBrighten up your notebook, phone case, lunch box and more with our fun range of sti...
20/06/2024

Introducing... Goodheart stickers! ๐Ÿ’ฅ๐Ÿ’š

Brighten up your notebook, phone case, lunch box and more with our fun range of stickers, created with our message of kindness to animals at the heart of every design! ๐Ÿท๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿฎ

Shop all the designs in our online shop ๐Ÿ‘‡
https://shop.goodheartanimalsanctuaries.com/collections/all-products

What is animal "enrichment" and why do we do it? ๐Ÿง ๐Ÿ’กThe term "enrichment" basically means enhancing an animal's life by p...
19/06/2024

What is animal "enrichment" and why do we do it? ๐Ÿง ๐Ÿ’ก

The term "enrichment" basically means enhancing an animal's life by providing activities and stimuli that mimic natural behaviours. Here's why it's so important ๐Ÿ‘‡

๐ŸŒฟ Enrichment lets farm animals engage in natural behaviours like foraging and socialising, keeping them happy and reducing stress.

โšฝ Activities like perches for chickens and toys for pigs encourage exercise, promoting fitness and preventing obesity.

๐Ÿง  Farm animals are smart! Enrichment challenges their minds, prevents boredom, and cuts down on repetitive behaviours.

๐Ÿ—จ Many farm animals are social creatures. Enrichment encourages positive interactions with others of their kind.

๐Ÿพ Overall, enrichment boosts farm animal welfare by meeting their behavioural and psychological needs.

By providing things like scratching posts, scent games, interactive feeders, and spaces to explore, we're not just keeping our animals healthy - we're keeping them happy too! ๐Ÿ’š

17/06/2024

Stanley and Loki are all about the snuggles today!๐Ÿ๐Ÿ’š

The numbers are in and we're thrilled to share that our Open Day raised an incredible ยฃ5,797 for our sanctuary! ๐ŸŽ‰ Every ...
14/06/2024

The numbers are in and we're thrilled to share that our Open Day raised an incredible ยฃ5,797 for our sanctuary! ๐ŸŽ‰ Every single penny will help us continue our important work and provide the best possible care for our rescued animals ๐Ÿ’š

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us โ€“ from our wonderful visitors and dedicated volunteers to our amazing stallholders. You all made this day special! โœจ

Our Open Day will be returning in 2025, so watch this space! ๐Ÿ‘€

๐ŸŽ Father's Day gifts that give back! ๐ŸŽLooking for the perfect gift for Dad this Fatherโ€™s Day? Our animal sanctuary merch...
13/06/2024

๐ŸŽ Father's Day gifts that give back! ๐ŸŽ

Looking for the perfect gift for Dad this Fatherโ€™s Day? Our animal sanctuary merchandise is not only unique and thoughtful but also supports a great cause! ๐Ÿท๐Ÿ”๐Ÿ‘

From stylish stationery to eye-catching artwork, we have something special for every dad - and, each purchase helps us provide care and shelter for over 300 rescued animals. ๐Ÿโค๏ธ

SHOP NOW ๐Ÿ‘‡
https://bit.ly/goodheart-online-shop

Alvin, Simon, and Theodore were discovered abandoned in a cat carrier by the roadside not far from our sanctuary. ๐Ÿ“They'...
12/06/2024

Alvin, Simon, and Theodore were discovered abandoned in a cat carrier by the roadside not far from our sanctuary. ๐Ÿ“

They've been with us for two years now, and we simply can't imagine life without them! ๐Ÿ’š

We receive countless rehoming inquiries for cockerels, often from people who breed or adopt them thinking they'll make perfect pets. While cockerels can be wonderful companion animals, they need the right environment - one where they can exhibit all their natural behaviours, like crowing to their heart's content at 6am! They're often not suited to living in urban areas which leads to them being given up or abandoned.

The lucky ones, like Alvin, Simon, and Theodore, make it to Goodheart, where they'll have a safe home for life ๐Ÿ’š

THANK YOU! ๐Ÿ’š๐Ÿ™As we reflect on Saturday's Open Day, we're filled with gratitude and joy. It was an absolutely fantastic d...
10/06/2024

THANK YOU! ๐Ÿ’š๐Ÿ™

As we reflect on Saturday's Open Day, we're filled with gratitude and joy. It was an absolutely fantastic day, and we loved welcoming each and every one of you to Goodheart to celebrate our animal friends ๐Ÿท๐Ÿฎ๐Ÿ”

A heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who made this event possible. We were thrilled to welcome over 700 people, many of whom travelled hours to be with us, meet our animals, volunteer, or participate as vendors.

๐Ÿ™ A special thanks to our wonderful stallholders, including our fabulous food vendors, whose delicious plant-based treats kept us energised throughout the day!

๐Ÿ™ A great big goodhearted thank you to our dedicated volunteers. From directing cars to serving refreshments, you kept everything running smoothly. Our Open Day wouldn't have been possible without your hard work and commitment.

๐Ÿ™ And finally, a huge thank you to everyone who bought tickets and came to explore our site, showing our animals the love and attention they deserve.

We hope you had a fantastic day and look forward to welcoming you back again soon! ๐Ÿ’š๐Ÿ’š๐Ÿ’š

๐Ÿ“ท Photos by Just Jon Simpson

Harry has been practising his best smile for our Open Day this Saturday! ๐Ÿ’šโœจIf you've booked tickets, please check your i...
06/06/2024

Harry has been practising his best smile for our Open Day this Saturday! ๐Ÿ’šโœจ

If you've booked tickets, please check your inbox (Junk/Spam folder too) as we've just sent you an email with lots of important information about the event!

If you haven't received your ticket confirmation email, please get in touch with us at [email protected] before Saturday!

Our Animal Care Team captured these lovely photos of our resident turkeys, Susan and Mr Biggles, enjoying some time in t...
05/06/2024

Our Animal Care Team captured these lovely photos of our resident turkeys, Susan and Mr Biggles, enjoying some time in their paddock ๐Ÿ’š ๐Ÿฆƒ

Turkeys are beautiful, curious, and intelligent animals, yet they are often overlooked as simply birds reared for their meat. The truth is, like many other farm animals, turkeys form strong bonds. They have friends and companions, and, just like us, they love spending time outdoors.

Turkeys also have some amazing abilities. Male turkeys, in particular, can change the colour of their head and neck skin thanks to specialised blood vessels and pigments. These colour changes, often reflecting their mood, social interactions, or mating displays, can range from red to blue to white! โœจ

Our turkeys will be out in their paddock, strutting their stuff at our Open Day, so donโ€™t forget to swing by and see these wonderful animals up close! ๐Ÿ’š

A big shout-out to No Frickin Chicken a fantastic vegan restaurant in Worcestershire, for including us in their June San...
03/06/2024

A big shout-out to No Frickin Chicken a fantastic vegan restaurant in Worcestershire, for including us in their June Sanctuary Special! ๐Ÿ”๐Ÿ’š

This month, theyโ€™ve created two mouth-watering specials on their menu, and for each one sold, theyโ€™ll generously donate 50p to our sanctuary!

Plus, you can enjoy their delicious food at our Open Day this Saturday, 8th of June. Don't forget to book your tickets at https://www.goodheartanimalsanctuaries.com/summer-open-day/

Thank you, No Frickin Chicken, for your amazing support! ๐Ÿ™

Our sheep have had their annual haircut! โœ‚๐Ÿ’šShearing is such an important step for our flockโ€™s welfare. A long, heavy fle...
29/05/2024

Our sheep have had their annual haircut! โœ‚๐Ÿ’š

Shearing is such an important step for our flockโ€™s welfare. A long, heavy fleece can cause a range of issues including discomfort, parasites, and even pneumonia. While some breeds of sheep naturally shed their fleece in summer, our gang need a little help from our local shearer.

Now that our sheep no longer need their fleeces, theyโ€™ve been donated to various causes. Some have gone to a local company that makes dog beds, while others will be placed on vegetable gardens (including our own raised beds) to help deter slugs and snails. Thanks, sheep gang! ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ’š

We are shocked and heartbroken to share the news of the sudden passing of our beloved head goat, Gandalf ๐Ÿ’”During our dai...
27/05/2024

We are shocked and heartbroken to share the news of the sudden passing of our beloved head goat, Gandalf ๐Ÿ’”

During our daily health checks, we noticed Gandalf wasnโ€™t looking quite himself. We immediately brought him into the barn for our vet to examine, but before we could determine what was wrong, he passed away in his sleep.

Gandalfโ€™s story began in a sad way - he was found tied up and abandoned in a field with another goat, Penelope. Because of this, we never knew his exact age, but we knew he was an elderly goat. Weโ€™re grateful that he didnโ€™t suffer and that his final moments were peaceful. Nonetheless, we are still in shock and deeply saddened by the loss of our dear Gandalf.

Gandalf was truly the patriarch of our goat family. He had a special way of keeping the gang together and watching over his friends. His presence was a comforting and unifying force, and he will be sorely missed. We are left with countless cherished memories of his time at our sanctuary, and he will forever hold a special place in our hearts.

Last week marked our final session with the fantastic Level 3 Animal Care Students from Kidderminster College! We wrappe...
25/05/2024

Last week marked our final session with the fantastic Level 3 Animal Care Students from Kidderminster College! We wrapped up the term with a fun afternoon hanging out with out goat gang and giving them some enrichment. ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ’š

We've had a brilliant time hosting these visits. Helping the students to learn about animal welfare standards and the care required for farm animals has been incredibly rewarding.

We canโ€™t wait to see what the future holds for these aspiring animal caretakers! ๐ŸŒŸ๐Ÿพ

We've added more 'Pig'nic dates! ๐Ÿท๐Ÿ“ฃDue to the incredible demand for our 'Pig'nic Experiences this summer, we've added so...
23/05/2024

We've added more 'Pig'nic dates! ๐Ÿท๐Ÿ“ฃ

Due to the incredible demand for our 'Pig'nic Experiences this summer, we've added some new dates to our website!

If you'd like to meet our rescued pigs and spend the morning getting to know them before enjoying a 'pig'nic beside their paddocks, follow the link below to book now ๐Ÿ‘‡
www.goodheartanimalsanctuaries.com/pignic-experience

We anticipate these dates will get snapped up quickly, so book now to avoid disappointment! ๐Ÿ”ฅ

21/05/2024

Mud wallowing season has begun! ๐Ÿท๐Ÿ’ฆ

With the recent warm weather, our pigs have eagerly started their favourite activity early this year! To keep them happy and cool, our dedicated Animal Care Team has crafted some delightful mud wallows just for them.

Did you know pigs have sensitive skin that can easily burn in the sun? By rolling in the mud, they create a natural sunscreen, protecting themselves from those harsh rays. Plus, as the mud dries and the water evaporates, it helps keep them cool and comfortable. ๐Ÿ’š

Come see our pigs enjoying their mud wallows up close at our Open Day on Saturday, 8th of June! We can't wait to share the fun with you! ๐ŸŒž๐Ÿท

A huge shout out to our amazing supporter Julie Skelly, who recently took on the Derby 10k run for our sanctuary! ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™‚๏ธ๐Ÿ’šJ...
18/05/2024

A huge shout out to our amazing supporter Julie Skelly, who recently took on the Derby 10k run for our sanctuary! ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™‚๏ธ๐Ÿ’š

Julie not only conquered the challenge, but with generous match funding from her employer, raised an incredible ยฃ1,033!

We are so grateful to Julie, her employer, and everyone who donated to her JustGiving appeal. Your support means the world to us and will go towards the care of our 300+ animals here at Goodheart.

Check out Julie's fundraising page here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/julie-skelly-1705931790719

Feeling inspired to fundraise for us? Get started here ๐Ÿ‘‡
https://www.goodheartanimalsanctuaries.com/be-part-of-it/fundraise/

๐Ÿ“ท Derby County Community Trust

Good news regarding our TB situation ๐ŸŽ‰We're thrilled to share that after completing our final round of TB tests, we've r...
16/05/2024

Good news regarding our TB situation ๐ŸŽ‰

We're thrilled to share that after completing our final round of TB tests, we've received the all-clear and our TB restrictions have been lifted! This brings immense relief to our team and our beloved animals, setting a positive tone as we approach the summer months.

As a precautionary measure, our cows won't be in the main yard for our upcoming Open Day in June. Instead, they'll be out in the field, however, visitors will still have the opportunity to greet them over the gate.

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone for your unwavering support during this challenging period. The loss of four members of our herd back in January was deeply saddening, and they remain in our thoughts every day. Their legacy lives on through the continued care we provide to their companions here at Goodheart.

We hope you'll join us at our Open Day on Saturday 8th of June to celebrate this news! ๐Ÿ’š๐Ÿ’š๐Ÿ’š

In what the RSPCA has called โ€œone of the biggest days for animal welfare in modern history,โ€ we're thrilled to learn tha...
14/05/2024

In what the RSPCA has called โ€œone of the biggest days for animal welfare in modern history,โ€ we're thrilled to learn that live animal exports from Britain have finally been banned! ๐ŸŽ‰

After over 50 years of campaigning, the Bill to prohibit the cruel trade in live animal exports has successfully passed its final stage in Parliament and is poised to become law soon.

This marks a monumental day for farmed animals! ๐Ÿ’ฅ Every year, millions of animals worldwide are subjected to gruelling journeys spanning hundreds, or even thousands, of miles. Calves, cattle, sheep, pigs, and other animals are routinely transported by road and sea for days, even weeks, enduring overcrowding, fear, stress, and dehydration, only to face slaughter upon arrival or confinement in often inhumane conditions.

A huge well done to all those who campaigned tirelessly to bring an end to this cruel practice ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘

Live animal exports finally banned from Great Britain!

13/05/2024

If there's one group of animals glad to see the return of the rain, it's our rescued geese! They've been having a honking good preening session in the damp grass ๐Ÿ’š

At the forefront of the feathered crew is Brucey, a beloved member of our sanctuary family, and one of the animals you can sponsor at Goodhear. Every penny raised goes directly into providing the best care for all our amazing residents and we'll even send you a special sponsorship pack! โœจ

Interested in becoming Brucey's sponsor or helping out another furry friend? Click the link below for all the details ๐Ÿ‘‡
www.goodheartanimalsanctuaries.com/sponsor-an-animal

And the winner isโ€ฆ ๐Ÿฅ๐Ÿฅ๐Ÿฅ Kitty Cooper! Kitty, please email us at info@goodheart.org.uk to claim your tickets! ๐ŸŽ‰Thank you t...
09/05/2024

And the winner isโ€ฆ ๐Ÿฅ๐Ÿฅ๐Ÿฅ Kitty Cooper!

Kitty, please email us at [email protected] to claim your tickets! ๐ŸŽ‰

Thank you to everyone who entered! If youโ€™d like to book tickets to our Open Day, click here: https://www.goodheartanimalsanctuaries.com/summer-open-day/

๐Ÿ’ฅ WIN TICKETS TO OUR OPEN DAY ๐Ÿ’ฅ

To celebrate our upcoming Summer Open Day on Saturday 8th of June, weโ€™re giving away 5 tickets to one lucky winner!

For your chance to win ๐Ÿ‘‡

1๏ธโƒฃ Like this post ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป
2๏ธโƒฃ Tag the friends/family youโ€™d bring along if you won! ๐Ÿ’š
3๏ธโƒฃ Thatโ€™s it! Weโ€™ll announce the winner on Friday 10th of May, so keep an eye on our Facebook and Instagram pages to hear if youโ€™ve won! ๐Ÿ‘€

To learn more about the event and all the exciting things we have lined up on the day, follow the link below ๐Ÿ‘‡
www.goodheartanimalsanctuaries.com/summer-open-day

06/05/2024

๐Ÿ’ฅ WIN TICKETS TO OUR OPEN DAY ๐Ÿ’ฅ

To celebrate our upcoming Summer Open Day on Saturday 8th of June, weโ€™re giving away 5 tickets to one lucky winner!

For your chance to win ๐Ÿ‘‡

1๏ธโƒฃ Like this post ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป
2๏ธโƒฃ Tag the friends/family youโ€™d bring along if you won! ๐Ÿ’š
3๏ธโƒฃ Thatโ€™s it! Weโ€™ll announce the winner on Friday 10th of May, so keep an eye on our Facebook and Instagram pages to hear if youโ€™ve won! ๐Ÿ‘€

To learn more about the event and all the exciting things we have lined up on the day, follow the link below ๐Ÿ‘‡
www.goodheartanimalsanctuaries.com/summer-open-day

One of our smaller pigs, Pumba, recently developed a skin condition, causing redness and itchiness. After a thorough exa...
03/05/2024

One of our smaller pigs, Pumba, recently developed a skin condition, causing redness and itchiness. After a thorough examination by our Animal Care Team, we determined that he'd had a reaction to the tiny naturally-occurring mites commonly found in straw.

We have replaced Pumba's bedding, but, to help his skin heal, our team apply a special oil twice a day. Pumba has previously been quite a shy pig, but he clearly enjoys his daily pamper session and will stand still with his eyes closed, enjoying the massage!

Currently, Pumba is receiving treatment in our Merry Rehab & Special Care Unit. However, we anticipate that he'll soon be able to rejoin his friends Bertie and Cedric in our Pig Paddocks!

Happy Feel Goodhearted Friday everyone ๐Ÿ’š๐Ÿ’š๐Ÿ’š

We're thrilled to unveil our incredible speaker line-up for the Summer Open Day! ๐ŸŽ™๏ธJoin us for enlightening talks from V...
02/05/2024

We're thrilled to unveil our incredible speaker line-up for the Summer Open Day! ๐ŸŽ™๏ธ

Join us for enlightening talks from Viva!, The Humane League UK, The Vegetarian Society and Compassion in World Farming ๐Ÿ“ฃ

Grab your tickets now via the link below ๐Ÿ‘‡
www.goodheartanimalsanctuaries.com/summer-open-day

Our resident horses and ponies are absolutely loving their overnight accommodation in our newly-constructed Merry Rehabi...
29/04/2024

Our resident horses and ponies are absolutely loving their overnight accommodation in our newly-constructed Merry Rehabilitation & Special Care Unit, complete with a stable block. ๐Ÿด

This setup ensures that each of our equine friends has their own cosy space during the colder months. And the best part? After a day of adventures in the fields, they can relax, peek out, and catch up on all the day's news! ๐Ÿ’š

Address

Nickless Farm
Kidderminster
DY140BE

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