Our Merry Rehab & Special Care Unit is the largest project we have undertaken at our sanctuary and is designed to offer a quiet and comfortable space for both new arrivals and existing animals who need a little extra care.
The area includes a spacious stable block, treatment rooms and a storage area.
We required a space that could serve multiple purposes: offering cosy and comfortable overnight shelter for our equines and other animals, storing essential sanctuary equipment for easy accessibility, and providing a designated area for assessing individuals, such as during veterinary visits.
We launched the project at our 2022 Fundraising Gala, where several generous individuals helped to kickstart donations.
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Later that year, an anonymous donor offered to match fund £7,000 worth of donations.
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Throughout 2022, we received donations from a variety of incredible individuals, including a heartfelt ‘Gift in Memory’ from one of our supporters, Alison, commemorating her late husband Martin.
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Later that year, the final funding for the project was achieved through a truly incredible Legacy donation in honour of a very special individual: Professor Will J. Merry. The unit is officially named the Merry Rehab & Special Care Unit in honour of Will.
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In June 2023, building work began in laying the foundations for the unit base.
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In August, construction of the building itself took place, which included erecting the wooden frame and adding the roof, windows, and doors. Over autumn, the final touches were added, including flooring, lighting and the gates.
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In December, we officially opened the unit, to house two new goats during their assessment and quarantine period and one of our rescued pigs undergoing treatment. We also moved our horses and ponies into their new stables ready for the colder months.
The Rehab & Special Care Unit comprises three different spaces:
A block of six stables provides the perfect accommodation for our equines and will include a dedicated area for other animals who require specialised care. As well as a useful double width stable, it will include a large storage room for tack and other items. The block will be located at the rear of the main sanctuary yard where public footfall is limited, to provide the animals with a peaceful and safe shelter.
At the end of the stable block, a dedicated treatment room will be an invaluable addition to this area, providing a private space to bring animals during veterinary treatments and securely store medical supplies.
The new area will benefit a number of rescued animals, including:
We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who donated to this project, from individuals through to organisations.
The project was kickstarted with donations from a number of incredible individuals at our fundraising Gala in March, alongside a donation from Alpaca Finance. We also received a heartfelt ‘Gift in Memory’ from one of our supporters Alison, commemorating her late husband Martin, as well as donations made by other special Goodheart advocates including George & Anne-Marie Materna, Roger & Linda Badley, Andy Finneran and Hilary Kilburn as well as The Michael and Shirley Hunt Charitable Trust.
The final funding for the project came from a truly incredible Legacy donation in honour of a very special individual, Professor Will J. Merry. Will had a special place in his heart for pigs and his wish was to help rescued farm animals live out their lives in comfort and happiness. To celebrate Will’s legacy of kindness, the project was officially named ‘The Merry Rehabilitation & Special Care Unit’, in his honour.
Goodheart Farm Animal Sanctuary, The Nickless, Milson, Kidderminster, Worcestershire, DY14 0BE
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