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The sanctuary

Goodheart Farm Animal Sanctuary is a 92-acre site set in the rolling countryside on the border between Worcestershire and Shropshire. Despite our humble beginnings, the site is now home to over 300 rescued animals including pigs, cows, sheep, horses, chickens, and even alpacas!

The setting

The sanctuary is tucked away in a peaceful corner of the countryside and includes a varied environment of open fields, woodland and even two large pools for our waterfowl. The sanctuary has everything our resident needs to live their lives in the most natural way possible. Each resident has a safe, cosy place to sleep and the freedom to explore their large pastures all day long.

Alongside this, we have undergone a number of ambitious habitat development projects across the site, including our Pig Barn & Woodland, our Outdoor Education Area and our Goodheart Home for Rescued Hens.

The residents

From lambs only a few hours old to ponies in their thirties, our residents come to us at different stages in life and from very different backgrounds. While they each have their own unique story, they can all live out their days in peace and safety at our sanctuary.

Every animal is treated as an individual, with specific needs and care plans. To keep them comfortable and happy, our residents have access to extensive pastures, sheltered accommodation, and a varied environment in which to express natural behaviours.

As well as being a safe space for the animals in our care, the sanctuary environment has been designed to reflect their natural habitat, so that our residents can live happy and fulfilling lives.

Our ethos

We pride ourselves on providing an excellent standard of care for our rescued animals. This means not only caring for all of their physical needs (with high-quality food, routine care and veterinary attention) but also providing enrichment to keep their minds ticking.

We take the time to help our pigs build new wallows, add to our popular goat climbing frame, or get creative with fruits on strings to keep our hens busy – anything to make sure our animals enjoy sanctuary life as much as possible.

Our Pig Barn Project at Goodheart Animal Sanctuary

Projects & Appeals

With the help of our generous supporters, we’ve been able to embark on a number of exciting projects to enrich the lives of our residents. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Click the questions below to learn more about Goodheart Farm Animal Sanctuary…

An animal sanctuary is a facility dedicated to providing lifelong care and refuge to animals in need, often those rescued from neglect, abuse, or abandonment. Unlike zoos, which may focus on exhibition and public entertainment, sanctuaries prioritise animal welfare and rehabilitation.

True sanctuaries do not breed, buy, or sell animals, aiming instead to offer a safe haven where animals can live in a natural or near-natural environment, free from exploitation. They typically operate as non-profit organisations, relying on donations and volunteers to support their mission of providing compassionate care and advocating for ethical treatment of animals.

There are so many wonderful (and simple) ways you can support our animal sanctuary and get involved. One of the best ways is by making a donation or taking on a fun fundraising challenge. You can find more ways to help via this page here.

We are always looking for volunteers at our animal sanctuary to help out at our annual Open Days! If you would like to register as a volunteer, please email us at info@goodheart.org.uk

Our mission is to make a positive impact on as many farm animals as possible. We aim to raise awareness of animal suffering, particularly within the farming industry, and educate the general public on animal welfare and ethical lifestyle choices that can benefit animals in the long run, such as adopting a plant-based lifestyle.

At our sanctuary, animal welfare is our top priority. Every decision we make is guided by what’s best for our residents. We are one of the only farm animal sanctuaries in the UK to be Verified by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS). This certification means we’ve passed a rigorous evaluation ensuring we meet high standards in animal care, operations, and management. GFAS accreditation demonstrates our commitment to providing a safe, enriching environment, offering proper veterinary care, maintaining sound financial practices, and following humane and ethical policies. It’s our way of assuring donors, supporters, and the public that we uphold the utmost standards in animal welfare and sanctuary management.

Animals come to us from various situations and stages of life. Some are beloved companions whose owners can no longer care for them, while others are reported to us by concerned members of the public who have found them in distress. We also occasionally take on animals from other rescue centres, like the RSPCA or other sanctuaries at capacity.

Upon arrival at our sanctuary, every animal undergoes a thorough health assessment, regardless of their origin. We collaborate closely with a knowledgeable veterinary team to devise any necessary treatment or rehabilitation plans.

After completing their initial quarantine period, we carefully consider where each new arrival will be placed. Each animal’s integration into sanctuary life is handled with thoughtfulness and care; for instance, we may group them with others of similar age or temperament. Some thrive on social interaction, while others prefer a quieter environment away from visitors.

We closely monitor all our residents, conducting twice-daily health checks and consistently observing their wellbeing to ensure they are happy, healthy, and settled in.

Yes! You can definitely adopt or sponsor one of the wonderful animals here at our sanctuary. Whether you’re interested in making a direct impact through adoption or prefer to support our residents through sponsorship, we have options for you.

To see the animals available for sponsorship, check out our sponsorable animals here. If you’re considering adoption and want to find your perfect match among our adoptable animals, explore their profiles here. Your support means the world to us and makes a significant difference in the lives of our cherished animal residents.

The best way to stay up to date with all our latest news, events, and happenings at the sanctuary is by subscribing to our email list here. 

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok for regular animal content, fun videos and behind-the-scenes footage from our sanctuary!

Take a look around...​

Click the animal names below to explore the different areas of Goodheart Farm Animal Sanctuary…​

Learn more about our work...

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Hen

Learn more about our amazing Goodheart Home for Rescued Hens.

A small black pig sleeps under leafy branches