In 2019, our wonderful supporters helped us rescue ten small, frightened calves from the veal industry. Three years on, Buttercup, Clover and our Friesian Family are all grown up, but they have become far larger than we ever expected. They have grown so tall and some of their heads have grown so big that they have outgrown their indoor feed area. The sanctuary now needs to build a safe, new feeding area before they come in for the Winter. This is a huge expense so we are asking for your support to help our boys. Every penny will make a difference.

The herd when they were calves (left) versus now, towering over the railings (right)

Essential new feed rails:

If you have met Malcolm Mischief, Rusty Braveheart or any of our herd, you will know just how huge they have grown. Many stand at over six foot tall at the shoulders and, with heads too big to fit through the feed rail bars, they can no longer get to their winter hay and feed. We knew our boys would be big but never expected them to grow this big! Even our vets are surprised at their size and a few of them are still growing.

The first day he arrived, Malcolm slipped right through the feed rail bars (see below). Now, nearly as tall as a shed, he cant even get his head through (right).

Bobby Sprinkles as a calf (left) and now posing with Ted the sheep (right)

We need your support to completely dismantle and remove the old rails which are too low and small for our boys, and to build the brickwork a foot higher. Two horizontal bars will then replace the old rails. These are specially designed to keep our boys safe, it will give them greater freedom of movement as they feed. The materials, building work and new rails for this will cost £1200.

This means to get our beautiful herd of 12 cows into the barns for the winter safe, warm, and fed, we need:

Winter Feed

In the winter, our boys get through 6 big bales of hay every single week. At £40 per bale, this adds up quickly and keeping the herd fed for five months becomes a huge expense. The 24 bales they need each month will cost £960 and their hard feed adds another £50. To feed our boys throughout their five-month stay in the barns, we need an additional £5,050.

Buttercup and Clover as calves (left) and enjoying some hay (right)

Straw Bedding For The Cold Months

We give our residents a forever home that is loving, peaceful, and comfortable. Buttercup, Clover, and our Friesian Family need a fresh bale of straw for bedding each week they are indoors. The bales costs £30 so we need £650 to keep them cosy during their five-month stay in the barns.

Please Help Our Boys

We know that the cost of living crisis has made this an incredibly difficult time for everyone. If you are able to spare even £1 or £5, it will make an incredible difference. Every penny counts and we are grateful any donation.

It will help get the new feeding area we urgently need and mean our boys can feed safely and happily this winter.

Thank you. From Clover, Buttercup, and their Friesian Friends