Heartstone Animal Sanctuary x VLI fundraiser
Donation protected
Hey There! We are the team behind vegan Instagram/Facebook page Vegan Life Ireland and we're running a fundraiser to benefit Heartstone Sanctuary based in Co. Sligo.
Please donate €5 (or more if you're feeling extra extra generous!) to help them continue rescuing animals in need, feeding their current 30+ hungry residents, and to help them towards their goal of expanding the sanctuary.
You can read all about Heartstone's incredible efforts in their own words below.
Heartstone...
... is a veganic (vegan organic) animal sanctuary in the West of Ireland, providing rescued animals with a safe haven for life, a peaceful refuge to live out their lives loved and cherished. Heartstone also promotes sustainability and holistic nonviolence, actively developing a model of a peaceful co-existence with nature.
Animal Rights don't end at rescued animals being alive, safe, and cared-for. They also require us to ensure they live a life to their liking, a life truly worth living. This, of course, requires companions of the same species, ideally several individuals (at least three in the case of cows) so they can choose their friends just like we do. Accordingly, in acknowledgement of their individuality, personalities, and rights, a core concept of Heartstone is granting the residents to live their lives as freely, and with as much freedom of choice (where to go, how to spend their time, whom to interact with etc.), as possible.
The residents' health and well-being are first priority and Heartstone works with several veterinarians and natural health care practitioners to ensure optimum care. Choosing natural, species-appropriate and organic foods and care products for the residents is one of the ways in which Heartstone strives to provide the best possible - and least environmentally harmful - care to all.
Visitors are welcome; the interaction between animals and visitors is encouraged to the degree that it doesn't affect the residents adversely. Interactions are always at the discretion of the animal - they are free to remove themselves from the presence of visitors at any time. Most of them, however, love humans to bits, and thoroughly enjoy their company.
The need for more land.
Heartstone is in urgent need of more land for grazing, and to allow the residents to exercise natural behavioural patterns like roaming. On the current property, the Heartstone residents have only 10 acres at their disposal, which is by far not enough. Overstretched land means not only that there is a lack of sufficient grass for grazing, but also that the land is literally being destroyed by the animals' weight, especially the cows' - which is far from sustainable in many regards.
More land will also allow the expansion of the sanctuary's rescue efforts (often in cooperation with the rescue group #SanctuaryNotSlaughter). Many of you are likely aware that Ireland is in desperate need of more rescue capacity for farmed animals, most importantly cows, who currently have no other safe place to go.
It will also allow efforts in areas absolutely essential for the survival of humankind, such as rewilding, reforestation, veganic food growing and agroforestry, and a sanctuary for wildlife and bees.
But... an opportunity has arisen!
Thankfully, and after years of watching the market closely, a suitable property has become available nearby.
The lot includes 25 acres of diverse lands, suitable not only for grazing, but also for development in the areas Heartstone is planning to extend into. With its range of historic stone sheds and a large hay shed, water and power supply, it is high in potential and offers amazing value. The existent infrastructure - fencing, water supply, electricity, and the sheds - would cost thousands if they had to be set up newly.
The property has a wide array of natural biodiversity, and access to a freshwater river. Part of it is upland habitat, storing huge amounts of carbon and home to flora essential for bees and wildlife, including a range of protected species. Some of the land is designated as "Special Area of Conservation" and holds a "hunting prohibited" status. Bog restoration and other means of carbon sequestration are planned for some of the lands.
The variety of grasses, herbs, wildflowers, bushes and trees on the property will provide shelter and habitat for residents and wildlife. They will also allow the residents to self-medicate when needed and guarantee sufficient intake of phytonutrients - which are most often lacking in purposefully grown feed - helping prevent illness in the first place.
How this will enable Heartstone and its mission to grow.
Along with the aforementioned urgent need for more grazing and space to provide a higher quality of life for the current residents, the new land will also allow Heartstone to rescue more animals in need, and to have a beneficial impact on the immediate environment and wildlife. The additional acreage will also allow a portion of land to be rewilded to sequester carbon, protect wildlife, and nurture biodiversity. Furthermore, it will enable Heartstone to engage in truly sustainable plant-based food production. Providing education and skill training on veganic food growing, sustainable living, and wildlife habitat restoration, are are medium-term goal as well.
The aims for the additional property will reflect the ideals already lived by at Heartstone. The intention is to create as environmentally-friendly a place as possible and keep the impact of all residents on the environment and climate as low as possible. Caring not only for the animals, but also for people and the planet itself are at the core of Heartstone's values - all activities are already and will in the future be guided by these principles.
If that resonates with you...
... I would hugely appreciate if you supported the cause with your financial contribution. Your support will help Heartstone to have the physical space and infrastructure to pursue the aforementioned projects. The sum that needs to be raised is comparably large - even though the property is of great value - so every bit helps!
Thank you!
Nía
Please donate €5 (or more if you're feeling extra extra generous!) to help them continue rescuing animals in need, feeding their current 30+ hungry residents, and to help them towards their goal of expanding the sanctuary.
You can read all about Heartstone's incredible efforts in their own words below.
Heartstone...... is a veganic (vegan organic) animal sanctuary in the West of Ireland, providing rescued animals with a safe haven for life, a peaceful refuge to live out their lives loved and cherished. Heartstone also promotes sustainability and holistic nonviolence, actively developing a model of a peaceful co-existence with nature.
Animal Rights don't end at rescued animals being alive, safe, and cared-for. They also require us to ensure they live a life to their liking, a life truly worth living. This, of course, requires companions of the same species, ideally several individuals (at least three in the case of cows) so they can choose their friends just like we do. Accordingly, in acknowledgement of their individuality, personalities, and rights, a core concept of Heartstone is granting the residents to live their lives as freely, and with as much freedom of choice (where to go, how to spend their time, whom to interact with etc.), as possible.
The residents' health and well-being are first priority and Heartstone works with several veterinarians and natural health care practitioners to ensure optimum care. Choosing natural, species-appropriate and organic foods and care products for the residents is one of the ways in which Heartstone strives to provide the best possible - and least environmentally harmful - care to all.
Visitors are welcome; the interaction between animals and visitors is encouraged to the degree that it doesn't affect the residents adversely. Interactions are always at the discretion of the animal - they are free to remove themselves from the presence of visitors at any time. Most of them, however, love humans to bits, and thoroughly enjoy their company.
The need for more land.
Heartstone is in urgent need of more land for grazing, and to allow the residents to exercise natural behavioural patterns like roaming. On the current property, the Heartstone residents have only 10 acres at their disposal, which is by far not enough. Overstretched land means not only that there is a lack of sufficient grass for grazing, but also that the land is literally being destroyed by the animals' weight, especially the cows' - which is far from sustainable in many regards.
More land will also allow the expansion of the sanctuary's rescue efforts (often in cooperation with the rescue group #SanctuaryNotSlaughter). Many of you are likely aware that Ireland is in desperate need of more rescue capacity for farmed animals, most importantly cows, who currently have no other safe place to go.
It will also allow efforts in areas absolutely essential for the survival of humankind, such as rewilding, reforestation, veganic food growing and agroforestry, and a sanctuary for wildlife and bees.
But... an opportunity has arisen!
Thankfully, and after years of watching the market closely, a suitable property has become available nearby.
The lot includes 25 acres of diverse lands, suitable not only for grazing, but also for development in the areas Heartstone is planning to extend into. With its range of historic stone sheds and a large hay shed, water and power supply, it is high in potential and offers amazing value. The existent infrastructure - fencing, water supply, electricity, and the sheds - would cost thousands if they had to be set up newly.
The property has a wide array of natural biodiversity, and access to a freshwater river. Part of it is upland habitat, storing huge amounts of carbon and home to flora essential for bees and wildlife, including a range of protected species. Some of the land is designated as "Special Area of Conservation" and holds a "hunting prohibited" status. Bog restoration and other means of carbon sequestration are planned for some of the lands.
The variety of grasses, herbs, wildflowers, bushes and trees on the property will provide shelter and habitat for residents and wildlife. They will also allow the residents to self-medicate when needed and guarantee sufficient intake of phytonutrients - which are most often lacking in purposefully grown feed - helping prevent illness in the first place.
How this will enable Heartstone and its mission to grow.
Along with the aforementioned urgent need for more grazing and space to provide a higher quality of life for the current residents, the new land will also allow Heartstone to rescue more animals in need, and to have a beneficial impact on the immediate environment and wildlife. The additional acreage will also allow a portion of land to be rewilded to sequester carbon, protect wildlife, and nurture biodiversity. Furthermore, it will enable Heartstone to engage in truly sustainable plant-based food production. Providing education and skill training on veganic food growing, sustainable living, and wildlife habitat restoration, are are medium-term goal as well.
The aims for the additional property will reflect the ideals already lived by at Heartstone. The intention is to create as environmentally-friendly a place as possible and keep the impact of all residents on the environment and climate as low as possible. Caring not only for the animals, but also for people and the planet itself are at the core of Heartstone's values - all activities are already and will in the future be guided by these principles.
If that resonates with you...
... I would hugely appreciate if you supported the cause with your financial contribution. Your support will help Heartstone to have the physical space and infrastructure to pursue the aforementioned projects. The sum that needs to be raised is comparably large - even though the property is of great value - so every bit helps!
Thank you!
Nía
Organizer and beneficiary
Ally Barrow Paul Gildea
Organizer
County Dublin
Nicola Timm
Beneficiary