June 2010
This month has been very busy for us here at the sanctuary but it has been lovely watching our lambs grow up in the gorgeous weather.Dave really is doing well and has a lovely personality.The rabbits born last month are doing well and now ready to go to new homes.We have had yet more baby rabbits and even more rabbits handed in.If you would like a rabiit or 2 please get in touch.
We are also bursting at the seams with cats so if you have been thinking about having a cat now would be a good time. Thanks for your support over the last month.
May 2010
100 more chickens have arrived, and will all need good homes. Sweetpea, the muntjac has been rehomed to Hillside animal sanctuary, where they have a male
who will keep her company in a 4 acre paddock. We have a purposely designed new cattery. Thanks to the Barclaycard employees, who erected it for us!
Dave the lamb was brought to us about three weeks ago. We weren't sure he would make it, but he's now doing well.
April 2010
We're hopefully getting a stall at Rushden Cavalcade, and desperately need volunteers for a stall even if it's only for a few hours. If you can help, then please get in touch.
Also, we took in an ex polo pony, who was about to be shot.A really wonderful horse, he has settled in well.
Do you have any old hay, or know anyone who has? We will gladly take it. Again, please get in touch.
A link for Eclector books will soon be appearing on the site. For every book they sell a donation will be given to the sanctuary.
We've recently bought a small marquees for stalls, so that collectors can keep dry whatever the weather. On the subject of raising money, If you have a venue which can be used for benefit gigs by an up and coming rock band please get in touch. The Maria Danes Band have said they will do a gig for us. All we need is the venue.
We have a new pot-bellied pig called Simon. We're now looking for homes for 6 pot-bellies, if anyone can help.
Can you help us on weekdays? We'd appreciate it if anyone can, especially people who can help with horses. Anybody considering volunteering some time for us must be well experience in handling animals and must have some training in animal care. Thank you.
March 2010We would like to thank a vegan woman who is kindly running the annual Bristol 10km to raise funds for the sanctuary. We thank her greatly for being so considerate towards the cause. If you would like to sponsor her run to raise funds, please get in touch with the sanctuary on "sanctuary@brook-farm.org.uk". Many thanks to the online website for animal friendly clothing - "Ethical Wares" for donating suitable shoes for the run.
This months success story is our new friend Bobby, the two week old lamb. Found lying in the snow by a man when his car was stuck in the icy weather, Bobby is now living with us, being fed reguarly on ewe-milk-replacer and sleeping in the sanctuary farm house. We don't know why or how he got to be at the side of a busy road, but he is developing at a healthy rate and is enjoying his life at Brook Farm.
We have also received two lovely chincillas in the past week. Bibby and Rinty are brother and sister, and came to us after the owners no longer wished to keep them. Bibby (male) has been castrated and the chincillas will be up for rehoming to a home with a large chincilla house and equipment. The two must be rehomed together.
We would like to thank Mars for donating several crate loads of dog and cat food. We have shared the genorous donation with another local animal rescue, and the food will feed our dogs, cats, and chickens for many weeks. Many thanks.
Would you like to volunteer for Brook Farm??
Can you help us on weekdays? We'd appreciate it if anyone can, especially people who can help with horses. Anybody considering volunteering some time for us must be well experience in handling animals and must have some training in animal care. Thank you.
December 2009
We have 30 chickens left for rehoming, if anyone can offer them a home.
We have taken in Lilly the pig and Robbie the horse, from Carla Lane's sanctuary. Carla's sanctuary took Robbie in after he had been found abandoned in a field. Lilly is a lovely pig, who unfortunately has a deformed trotter.
Thanks to a two thousand pound donation from Yorkshire Bank, we've bought a small digger.This will be used to improve drainage and to dig a pond for waterfowl. A big thank-you to Yorkshire Bank for this generous donation!
Lastly, Billy the duck has been released onto Denford river!
October 2009Firstly, can the people who want to rehome Billy the duck please get in touch, as we've lost your number.
We have 200 chickens left, which have come from a free range farm. They are well feathered and used to living outside. The horses and cows are coming in, due to the approaching winter. We've caught lots of feral cats at an abandoned stable yard, and have put up more fencing to make the boundary more secure.
The landrover is getting rather old and poorly, and any donations towards a replacement would be appreciated. Lastly, we've resettled another three pigs and a sheep, plus 4 goats in the last few weeks.
September 2009We have 50 chickens left, and another 100 arriving in October. Get in touch if you'd like to reserve 2 or more. On the rehoming front, we've resettled three pigs and 3 sheep, in the last couple of weeks.
August/September 2009We have 200 more chickens arriving on Monday, (31st August.) As usual if you'd like to reserve 2 or more then please get in touch. It continues to be a busy time for rescuing wildlife, especially hedgehogs. We also currently have a duck, and a baby squirrel with a weak arm. We also have our straw in for winter. A whole barn full!
Sadly a family of feral kittens was abandoned by their mother, near to the sanctuary. As the mother had disappeared, the kittens were brought in. Two sadly died, but the others have been rehomed. All except one kitten, who is the last of the litter, and is just waiting for a good home. Have a look on the rehoming pages.
August 2009We have another 200 chickens arriving this month, so if you'd like to reserve 2 or more then please get in touch.
We've rescued quite a lot of wildlife, recently, included the swan who was hit by a car. On a happier note,
we've just received two pigs, Bradley and Beatrix. They've settled in nicely and the picture shows them grazing contentedly. Lastly, thanks to Pets At Home who've given us a grant of £5000 for a new cattery.
We have another 200 chickens arriving in August, so if you would like to reserve 2 or more then please get in touch.
A quick mention for a new book about hare coursing. it's written about the struggle to protect the Irish hare, by an animal
protection campaigner. John Fitzgerald. It sounds like an interesting read about a neglected animal protection issue. If
you'd like to have a look at the book, and read a review, follow the link below;
The new stables are still moving on. Jeremy the duck has grown a lot in the short weeks since he arrived, and has made a new(duck) friend.
Sweetpea the muntjac is also well, and has settled in to her new home. Unfortunately Blossom the pot bellied pig was pregnant when she arrived. She's doing a good job with her piglets, who will be looking for homes in the near future.
We have another 200 chickens arriving at the end of this month, so if you would like to reserve 2 or more then please get in touch. The new stables are getting more complete, with the window frames in. We've also rehomed 2 sheep and 3 goats. Lastly, shown below is our new teleporter, another useful addition.
Of the 200 chickens, we received last month, none are left, but We have another 200 arriving at the end of this month, so if you would like to reserve 2 or more then please get in touch. We were brought a baby duck, who was found alone at Ringstead marina. He had a leech in one nostril, and may simply have been too weak to keep up with his parents. He grown a lot now, and enjoys a spot of pond weed when he can get it!
The new cattery has arrived, and it's become a new home for Sweetpea, the baby muntjac, who seems quite happy
with the accomodation. We also have a small aviary, which is housing a mixed colony of recovering birds,(below right).
We've rehomed a couple of rabbits and Gizmo the dog. Also, the sanctuary van has been sold. The money from the sale will go
towards buying a new teleporter, which we need.
3 Silky Bantams were dumped at our back gate, last night. The chickens were only discovered by accident at around 10 o'clock. They could easily have been eaten by a fox, as they were in a cardboard box. If you have animals that need rehoming, please inform us before leaving them. They could end up being out all night, otherwise. While we're on the theme of chickens, we received 200 this month, and 70 are left for rehoming. We have another 200 chickens arriving next month, so if you would like to reserve 2 or more then please get in touch.
Unfortunately, the landrover gearbox has broken. We are having a new one put in, but this will cost around £1000.
Sweetpea the deer is progressing well. She has attached herself to one of her human carers, and follows them around!
If anyone has a secure, (slug-pellet free), garden, we have a hedgehog who lost an eye after being hit by a car.
The hedgehog will need feeding, as they won't be able to roam to pick up their own food.
Also, we still have the young feral cats, who were rescued from a house in Leicester. If you can give any of these cats a home
then contact us.
Pugsly the pot bellied pig has arrived from a farm that was closing down. She has a lovely stable to herself, and is quite
content. Two other pot bellied pigs have gone to another sanctuary. Sadly, the rest of the animals from the farm were sent
to slaughter.
Later this month, we will be receiving 200 chickens for rehoming. If you would like to reserve 2 or more, please get in
touch. Also, We have 8 young feral cats, who were rescued from a house in Leicester. If you can give any of these cats a home
then contact us.
Last month, a member of the public found a baby muntjac, which had been attacked by a dog. When she was brought in, Sweetpea was dehydrated,
soaking wet and freezing cold. We gave her antibiotics for the infection, and rehydrated her by injection as she was unable
to drink. Thankfully sweetpea has made a good recovery.
New fencing has been put up at the front of the sanctuary to make the boundary more secure. In addition, We've just about emptied the big shed, which was deep with muck. Quite an achievement!
We were recently able to help another sanctuary with their sick ewe. Unfortunately the sheeps eye had become cancerous, and had to be removed, but the operation was a success. We've bought a new cat pen, which will be more luxurious accomodation for our rescued felines. Lastly, the hedgehogs we've rescued have all been released.
April 2009The animals are out in the fields again, with the better weather. Despite this any donations for feed or anything else are always helpful, as are volunteers, so please get in touch if you can help.
Collections - If you can help with street collections please contact Simon on 07806 438238. There is about one collection a month.
The stables are still coming along, when time and other chores allow. We've had another good run with the dog rehoming. Again, many have gone out before getting on the website! At the same time there are a couple of new faces on the rehoming list, so please do have a look.
we've bought a chaff cutter. This will be useful for Ki the horse. He's around 40, and his teeth are quite worn. The chaff cutter breaks the hay into smaller bits, so he can eat properly. Also, we've rescued Amber, an older horse who's come from poor conditions. She's now in a caring environment, and being spoilt.
The operation on Mia, has been paid for. Thanks to all who kindly donated. Of course there are still ongoing expenses at the sanctuary, and any donations are always helpful. As are volunteers, so please get in touch if you can help.
Collections - If you can help with street collections please contact Simon on 07806 438238. There is about one collection a month.
The stable roofing is coming on nicely, and as of today the animal ambulance is in service. Also, on Thursday a new lamb is arriving, and a pygmy goat soon after. Luckily it's been a good month for dog rehoming. Some of them have found homes before even making it onto the website!
The stables are still progressing. A tack room is being added to the existing stables, which will eventually be roofed over. This space will be used as a hay store.
The recent snow and cold weather has meant increased feed and bedding costs, as our animals had to be kept in stables for a time.
February 2009Money is still needed to pay for the operation on Mia, which cost £3500. We have raised half, but still need the other £1700 by the end of next month.
The stables are coming on well. Six are up, but they need roofing. There will probably be a couple more, but there are
so many other jobs to do.
Unfortunately, one of our horses, Mia had to have an operation following a leg injury that became infected. She's doing well, and is in one of our new stables, which is good news, but the operation has cost us £3500. We have received £1400 following an appeal in the Evening Telegraph, and a big thank-you to everyone who kindly donated. Also, thanks to the Telegraph for featuring our appeal. However more money is still needed to cover this big expense. Any contribution would be gratefully received.
The new stables are coming on well. We have built 3, and eventually we will have 7. This will be a warmer environment for our dogs cows, horses, and pigs. By next month we hope to have all the stables completed, and all the animals that were in the field will be away from the mud and cold.
Sadly, Katy, one of our older horses has passed away. Old as she was, it's always a blow to lose one of our animals. On a happier note, Rufus, our blind and deaf dog, has found a nice quiet new home. Also, all the chickens we had before Christmas have been rehomed.
December 2008Unfortunately, lots of animals are arriving which people are unable to keep due to lack of money. This puts an added strain on the sanctuary. Also, building work on the stables is continuing. It's going well, but there is still lots of work to do. With this in mind if anyone can help out as a volunteer, cleaning pens etc, it would be greatly appreciated.
The sanctuary has bought an electric treadmill, which we will use for rehabilitation purposes, to get sick animals fit again. We've also bought a horse box for emergency rescues, pick-ups, etc. In addition, we have a new ford fiesta van to be used as an animal ambulance. Some welcome additions, which will be very useful.
An injured cat (pictured below), has been found behind the sanctuary on a public footpath. The animal had been shot with an air rifle, but has made a full recovery. If you own the cat or know who does, please get in touch.
We still have 60 chickens, which urgently need homes. (They must be taken in pairs or threes, unless they are to be homed with other chickens.) If you can give any of them a good home, please get in touch.
An elderly dog was found wandering the streets. Both blind and deaf Rufus isn't for rehoming, but he's a lovely easygoing dog.
Brook Farm Animal Sanctuary has received charitable status. This helps our fundraising efforts, and recognises the hard work we've done to get this far. Some welcome good news!
Early October 2008We have a new dumper truck and digger for work around the farm. In addition to this the new drainage is making a big difference.
A member of a the public has donated a hundred and twenty pounds worth of hay in memory of her recently deceased horse. Also, we've had some polishing attachments donated for our dental equipment. Behavioural work is being undertaken with a couple of dogs at the sanctuary, Zane the staffy, and Hooch the bull mastiff. We've also got another rabbit in who's keeping Sandy company.
Early September 2008We've had a donation of two thousand pounds from Pets At Home. Thanks very much to them.
Next month, Waitrose is to include Brook farm Animal Sanctuary in it's green token scheme. This involves a box situated
at the front of their stores, divided into three sections for three charities or good causes. Tokens are awarded to customer
s with the weeks shop and can be deposited in one of the three sections. Money is donated to each of the three good causes
in proportion to the number of tokens they have been awarded by shoppers.
The gunshot-wounded fox discovered at
Cardington has died. During surgery it was discovered that maggots infesting the wound had reached the brain and the back
of the eyes. It was obviously kindest to put the animal down.
At the end of September we will be receiving two hundred
ex-battery hens. They will be homed in pairs or greater numbers, and can be reserved by contacting the sanctuary
Another horse in. This time from Portugal. Quenya had been used to fight bulls from horseback, and for show-jumping. Because of an easily treatable foot problem, he was due to be put down. An English animal sanctuary stepped in to rescue the horse. Having insufficient room, they passed Quenya on to us.
Late August 2008Sadly, the swallows we were hand feeding died. But we've had lots of hedgehogs in, with various problems, and a baby seagull, who was found on the road. Fifty bales of hay are now in for the winter. We've also had a kind gift of dental equipment, which means a vet will have tools for treatment already here.
An injured fox was discovered at Cardington. Because there are no local animal shelters, we were called out to do the rescue. The fox had a severe gunshot wound, which had become infested with maggots, and has undergone surgery. No news yet.
We've also had another horse in. Lady, seen above, was going to be shot before arriving here. She had severe back problems
and overgrown hooves and she needed treatment for her skin. A specialist vet is coming to have a look, soon. We've trimmed
the hooves, but we will have to see what treatment is required for the back.
With all the expensive treatment, journeys,
and food this is a difficult and expensive time for the sanctuary, and any donations that can be spared would be greatly
appreciated. Thank-you.
Our email is working again, which is helpful. Also, our chickens have been re-homed. As there were so many of them it took a large input of time and feed. Seven cockerels have arrived. The lady who brought them in was told that they were hens by the farmer. On discovering that they were cockerels, she gave them to us.
We have released two feral cats, who will live around the sanctuary. We will continue to feed them, as they cannot be homed. We've also got a pigeon with a broken wing and a hedgehog, neither of whom can be released yet. At the same time we are hand feeding a brood of three swallows who fell out of their nest. It's been quite a busy time, and has caused some dislocation. Fluffy and Max, the rottweilers had to be moved out of their pen for a while to accomodate the chickens. However, they're back home now, and on we go...
Four hundred chickens have just arrived! We will be rehoming in pairs so, please get in touch if you can take two or more. Thanks.
We've rehomed Tilly, a miniature Shetland pony. There is now a Brook Farm newsletter. If you'd like a copy please get in
touch.
We have a new muckspreader, which will help get rid of the muck pile, and re-vitalise the grass for our grazing animals.
Thanks to the volunteers who built and paid for a new rabbit enclosure. It wouldn't have been possible without
you. We now have an engraving machine to ensure all our dogs have their own tags. We will also engrave tags for your pet,
in return for a donation to the sanctuary.
We have a new saddleback pig, Pansy. She was due to be slaughtered because
she didn't produce any offspring. We found out about this and got the farmer to give Pansy to us. However, we now need a
new pig arc!(A type of pig house)
And if all that wasn't enough, we've also purchased a new trailer, which will help us a great deal.
June 2008We've rehomed several dogs and other animals.
May 2008A local shopkeeper has agreed to stop selling foie gras. If you hear of any shop in Northamptonshire selling this cruel product, please get in touch and hopefully we can make this county foie gras free. We've rehomed Molly and Duce, the Dobermans. They have a lovely new home, backing onto fields.
We've weaned a weasel, and managed to persuade a shopkeeper in Higham to stop selling foie gras. If you know of any shops in Northamptonshire selling this cruel stuff, then please get in touch, and hopefully we can make this county foie gras free. We've also rehomed two baby goats and two dogs, serviced a tractor, and released a hedgehog that came in with a chest infection.
Brook Farm Animal Sanctuary is dedicated to caring for animals. To rescuing them from cruelty, hardship, and neglect. To ensure they live out the remainder of their natural lives in the optimum physical and psychological comfort. Rehoming them when possible but always overseeing their care. We have a non destruct policy except on veterinary advise and where all else has failed.
Brook Farm Animal Sanctuary, Brook Farm, Brooks Road, Raunds, Northants, NN9 6NS
07758728265
sanctuary@brook-farm.org.uk
Our thanks to Headstart for providing the hosting for this website.
This year, with the rising costs of veterinary services and animal treatments, we are appealing for donations to help towards the sanctuary purchasing a log cabin in which to place our own veterinary surgery. Currently, we are operating on our animals in a surgery that is not purpose built, and is therefore unsuitable for weekly medical sessions. Our very kind and helpful veterinary surgeon assists us routinely, castrating and spaying our animals to ensure that the rising numbers of unwanted animals does not continue. Our surgeon also aids us in life-saving operations for animals that have been kpet in poor healthor have been neglected.
The cost of this log cabin will be roughly £15,000. Although we have equipment ready to use, the cabin will be purpose built for this use, and will need to be fitted out with the best in surgical features. The cabin will also house recovering animals and injured wild life. We help so many animals with our life-saving work, but we know that we can do so much more. Please consider donating (using the above PayPal link), as the animals really do need your help. Thank You.
