Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate love, nurture, and the incredible bond between mums and their young.
At our sanctuary, we are lucky to witness this kind of love every day among the rescued animal mums who call our sanctuary home. Their stories remind us that motherhood takes many forms, and love knows no bounds.
In 2022, we rescued two three-month-old piglets, Daisy and Darla, with the help of our patron, Dan Richardson. Having lost their mum, they needed a maternal figure. At the same time, one of our older pigs, Amber, was grieving the loss of her best friend, Apricot, so we introduced them, hoping they might comfort each other.
Amber immediately took the piglets under her wing, following them closely as they explored and keeping a watchful eye on them. She didn’t even mind when they tried to wake her from her naps in the barn! Thanks to Amber, Daisy and Darla learned the vital skills of rooting in the mud and exploring the sanctuary’s pig woodland. Now fully grown, they’ll always carry the lessons and love Amber gave them.
Coco, Oreo, Esme, and Louisa are a tightly bonded mother-and-daughter group of Ouessant sheep – the smallest breed in the world, standing just over 45cm tall at the shoulder! Originally hand-reared as companion animals, they came to our sanctuary when their owners could no longer care for them.
This little gang does everything together. The daughters are a little shy, often letting their mums check things out before trotting over to say hello. You’ll often find them in our Outdoor Education Area, helping with ‘lawn maintenance’ – a perfect job for such a close-knit team.
Sometimes, animals in need of sanctuary find us instead of the other way around. A couple of summers ago, a mother duck and her six tiny ducklings appeared in our main yard, looking lost. We opened the door to an old hen enclosure, and without hesitation, they went inside and nestled down in the straw.
Expecting them to move on the next morning, we left the door open – but they decided our sanctuary was home! Every day, Delilah would lead her ducklings to the pool and back to their coop at night. Thanks to her, all six grew into healthy adults and eventually set off to start families of their own.
Delilah showed us just how fiercely mothers protect and provide for their young, always seeking out the safest place for them.
Salt the pig arrived at our sanctuary in summer 2019 alongside her companions, Pepper and Denzel, after being rescued from neglect. Due to their past circumstances, we suspected both Salt and Pepper might be pregnant. Following veterinary advice, they were given an injection to prevent pregnancy, and the trio settled happily into sanctuary life.
However, nature had other plans. Salt had hidden her pregnancy well, and only a week before giving birth did we realise she was expecting! She gave birth to 13 piglets in a warm, cosy barn. Though she tragically lost three, the remaining ten grew into strong, healthy adults – who all remain at our sanctuary in their own groups across the site.
Today, Salt, Pepper, and Denzel remain inseparable, exploring the woodland and enjoying their well-earned peaceful life together.
Our sanctuary isn’t just home to rescued farm animals – it also provides a safe haven for a group of semi-feral cats. These independent felines enjoy the best of both worlds: the freedom to roam and the security of regular meals and care.
Among them is Smokey and her two kittens, Storm and Sally, who arrived after their previous owner could no longer care for them. Smokey has been a devoted and doting mother, and even though her kittens are growing up fast, they are still often found curled up together in the sunshine in our hay barn. Their story is a testament to the enduring love between a mother and her young.
It’s truly heart warming to see animals thrive when given the chance. Our sanctuary provides just that – a safe, loving environment where they can live their best lives. But caring for these animals takes a lot, and with the rising costs of feed, veterinary care, and site maintenance, we need your help more than ever. Every donation, big or small, makes a real difference in giving rescued animals the security and care they deserve.
Please consider donating today and help us continue this vital work.
Goodheart Farm Animal Sanctuary, The Nickless, Milson, Kidderminster, Worcestershire, DY14 0BE
© Goodheart Animal Sanctuaries. All Rights Reserved.
Reg Charity No. 1162923
