Vegan Poetry

Sanctuary is defined as “protection or a safe place, especially for someone or something being chased or hunted”. For the animals rescued from industrial farms or petting farms , it means so much more.

The safety and protection offered by vegan farm animal sanctuaries is not something that can be explained only in words. It’s the first tentative steps of a cow into her new home; the happiness of a hen with space to run around; the satisfied wallow of a pig who had never been allowed to carry out this natural behaviour.

It’s a new way of seeing animals: as individuals worthy of choosing how they want to live their life, not machines to be exploited to meet human needs.

For now, sanctuaries can only care for a lucky few. Each individual saved from the horrors of animal farming is a reason to celebrate. But in the UK, 1.2 billion land animals are killed for human consumption each year. Faced with the enormity of this number, sanctuaries are a small beacon of light in a cruel world.

Vegan Animal Sanctuaries in the UK

The UK has a few dozen vegan animal sanctuaries dedicated to caring for individuals rescued from animal agriculture.

With cost-of-living pressures sending prices spiralling, these safe havens need all the support they can get. Many allow you to sponsor (or ‘adopt’) an animal – a great gift idea!

Here is a big list of vegan animal sanctuaries in the UK:

FARS

Founded by Carole Webb in 1988, this beautiful sanctuary is situated near Stratford-Upon-Avon, Warwickshire. FARS is home to chickens, pigs and more than 400 sheep!

Sponsor an animal here: Farm Animal Rescue Sanctuary

Sheep Sanctuary

Situated near Whitby in the heart of the North York Moors National Park, around 300 rescued animals live here. You can book a magical stay in a pod to spend more time with them all!

Support them here: Sheep Sanctuary – Animal Sanctuary

Footprints

Located in Madeley on the Staffordshire/Cheshire border, Footprints Animal Sanctuary cares for more than 100 rescued animals. They also “Save More Snouts” by serving as a rehoming hub.

Help Save More Snouts: Footprints animal sanctuary – A future free from fear

The Farm Animal Sanctuary

Over 600 rescued animals, including sheep, cows, pigs, horses, ducks, geese, hens, turkeys and alpacas, live at The Farm Animal Sanctuary in Evesham, Worcestershire. They are currently raising funds to buy the land and secure the animals’ future.

Sponsor an animal here: The Farm Animal Sanctuary

The Retreat

With 1,250 animal residents and more than 20,000 animals saved over the last 30 years, The Retreat in Kent is one of the biggest and most loved vegan sanctuaries in the UK.

Help them help more animals here: The Retreat Animal Rescue Farm Sanctuary & Cafe

Goodheart

Based in Worcestershire, Goodheart Animal Sanctuaries is home to more than 300 rescued animals and has a dedicated education programme to raise awareness of farmed animals’ suffering.

Support them here: Goodheart Animal Sanctuary

Pigs in the Wood

In 10 acres of woodland near Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, 20 pigs roam free and live naturally. PITW also helps rehome rescued pigs and welcomes school and other educational visits.

Support their work here: Pigs in the Wood – Pig Sanctuary

Hillside

Founded in 1995 by Wendy Valentine, Hillside Animal Sanctuary is home to 4,000 animals across two sites in Norfolk.

Sponsor a rescued animal here: Hillside Animal Sanctuary

Beneath the Wood

Based on a 15-acre site in Ceredigion in West Wales, BTW is well known for rescuing #53 pigs from an illegal slaughterhouse in Pembrokeshire in 2019. They now have over 100 snouts to feed.

Become a Pigoneer: Beneath The Wood Sanctuary

Hempsall Farm

A forever home for pigs, goats, sheep, hens, rabbits and more, this idyllic Cambridgeshire sanctuary is funded by the attached vegan glamping safari tents.

Book a stay here: Luxury Vegan Glamping Cambridgeshire

Dean Farm Trust

At Dean Farm Trust in South Wales, you’ll find 200 rescued animals living in 62 acres of pasture, woodland and paddocks. They also raise awareness about factory farming, intensive breeding and cruel sports.

Support their work here: Dean Farm Trust

Millington’s Magical Barn

A Yorkshire-based sanctuary looking after more than 100 animals, including pigs, sheep, geese, ducks, turkeys, donkeys and more.

Support them here: Millingtons Magical Barn

Surge

Located on an 18-acre site in the rural Midlands of England, Surge Sanctuary is a forever home for more than 100 rescued animals.

Sponsor a rescued animal here: Surge Sanctuary | Vegan Animal Sanctuary

Tribe Animal Sanctuary

A small sanctuary for animals recued from abuse, neglect or slaughter, located in the Clyde Valley in Scotland. They also have a hut where you can stay to visit the animals.

Book a stay here: Tribe Animal Sanctuary Scotland

Hugletts Wood Farm

Hugletts Wood Farm in Dallington, East Sussex has provided sanctuary to cows and their friends for more than 25 years.

See more here: Hugletts Wood Farm – Facebook

Ananda

Based just outside Biggar in Scotland, this vegan animal sanctuary is home to more than 70 animals, including sheep, goats, turkeys, cows, ducks and more.

Support their compassionate work here: Ananda | Vegan Animal Charity

Springwood

A privately funded, non-profit sanctuary near Carmarthen, South West Wales, Springwood plays host to twenty-five rescued and rehabilitated horses, ponies and donkeys.

Sponsor a herd here: Sponsor a Rescue Horse | Springwood Mindfulness Sanctuary

The Woolly Patchwork

Near Lampeter, mid-west Wales, this sanctuary is a safe haven for sheep to live out their lives in a stress-free environment.

Adopt a sheep here: The Woolly Patchwork Sheep Sanctuary