🌱 Spring on the Sanctuary: Behind the Scenes of a Season of Growth
As the days lengthen and the first green shoots push through the soil, life at the sanctuary begins to shift. Spring is a season of renewal — not just for the plants and trees, but for our animals, our land, and our volunteer team. It’s also a busy time of the year behind the scenes. In this post, we’re lifting the lid on what spring really looks like at the sanctuary — and how you can help us power through it.
Spring Means More Than Sunshine
As soon as winter begins to ease, our to-do list expands.
Paddocks need reseeding after winter wear.
Shelters and barns need cleaning and repairs, especially after the storms we’ve had over the winter period.
Hoof trims, shearing, and health checks are scheduled to prepare the residents for warmer weather.
For our team of volunteers, spring brings longer hours, heavier lifting, and a relentless pace. But it also brings moments of real joy — watching the sheep skip through fresh grass, the pigs wallow in the mud, or seeing rescued hens sunbathe for the first time.
🧽 Spring Cleaning for 100+ Animals
Imagine deep-cleaning your home after a long winter. Now imagine doing it for over a hundred animals — each with their own space, bedding, feeding area, and personality.
Our spring cleaning checklist includes:
Removing and replacing old straw and bedding
Power-washing barn floors
Deep-scrubbing feed and water bowls
Repainting and repairing wooden structures
Organising medical supplies and tools
All of this takes time, elbow grease, and money — especially when tools break, supplies run low, or the weather throws us a curveball.
🌸 It’s Also When the Bills Start Climbing…
Spring isn’t just a season of physical work — it’s also when our costs spike.
We see a rise in rescue requests (especially for lambs, chickens, and cockerels), meaning more mouths to feed, more vet visits, and more spaces to prepare.
We often face unexpected repairs to fencing, housing, drainage or electrics due to winter damage.
While donations tend to drop off after the festive season, our financial needs are only just beginning.
💚 How You Can Help
If you’re wondering how to support us during this demanding season, here are a few powerful ways to make a real difference:
Make a one-off donation to help us cover spring maintenance costs.
Become a monthly donator — even £5 a month adds up and gives us stability.
Sponsor a resident - a perfect gift for a family member, friend or loved one.
Donate supplies — we’re always in need of tools, enrichment, cleaning materials, and more.
🌟 This spring, you can help our sanctuary blossom. Every pound you give helps us clean, repair, rescue, and restore — so our animals can enjoy the warmth and freedom they so deeply deserve.
📸 Want to See It for Yourself?
We’ll be posting videos and photos of our residents enjoying the warmer weather — so follow us for updates, animal antics, and real-life sanctuary snapshots.