UPDATE: After an unexpected delay beyond the original end date of August 10th, Heartstone Sanctuary posted on September 4th that their final eviction notice had been issued, effective September 8th. Like many others, we are anxiously awaiting an update, and still holding onto hope that the last-minute possibility they posted about turned into something tangible.
Heartstone Animal Sanctuary, a vital haven for rescued farmed animals in Ireland, is facing its most critical crisis to date. The sanctuary’s future, and the lives of the vulnerable animals who call it home, hang in the balance. This isn’t a long-term problem; it’s an immediate, now-or-never situation.
For years, Heartstone’s founder, Nía Ní Gréine, has worked tirelessly, often alone and for up to 18 hours a day, to provide a safe and loving home for animals rescued from abuse and neglect. The sanctuary is not just a refuge; it’s a model for a compassionate and sustainable future, dedicated to veganic principles, rewilding, and promoting a nonviolent way of living.
A Narrow Double Escape and a Devastating Betrayal
Last year, Heartstone’s cows had a narrow double escape from death. Their original farm in Sligo had become a water-logged disaster due to extreme weather, but through Nía’s pure tenacity, they were miraculously evacuated to a temporary farm near Dublin. Despite their compromised immune systems from living on the flooded land, they even managed to pass their mandatory government disease testing.
This new farm was meant to be their permanent home, and Nía had secured a deal to purchase it. However, the owner never signed the contracts, abusing Nía’s trust and desperate circumstances. Now, 14 months later, he has decided to keep the farm and has issued an official eviction date of August 10th, 2025.
The Looming Threat: A Final Deadline
This situation is beyond dire. The Irish government is set to seize the cows any day now. Many of these animals are blind, disabled, or have other special needs, making them impossible to rehome. If a new solution isn’t found, these cows face a certain end. This isn’t a possibility; it’s a certainty. The only way to save them is for someone to step in.
How You Can Help
The fate of Heartstone’s animals rests on what happens in the coming days. With almost all options exhausted, the clock has almost run out. Here’s how you can make a tangible difference and give these animals a final chance:
Find a Sponsor:
This is the most crucial step. The team are urgently seeking an individual or organization to sponsor the sanctuary. A sponsor is the only sure way to secure a new, permanent home for the animals and protect them from government seizure. We encourage our readers to share this story far and wide—you never know who might see it and have the means to step in.
Donate for Immediate Needs:
While volunteers search for a sponsor, the animals still have daily needs. Your financial contribution, no matter the size, will go directly toward covering immediate costs like feed, vet care, and emergency shelter repairs. Every donation is a lifeline, helping the animals survive each day they are still on the farm.
Volunteer if Local: If you live in the Dublin or Meath area, the sanctuary is in desperate need of hands-on help. Nía can’t do it all alone. Volunteers are needed for everything from daily chores like mucking out to helping with other critical tasks.
Heartstone is a beacon of hope for rescued animals and a critical lifeline for those who have found refuge there. They cannot do this alone. Please consider lending your support to help them make it through this heartwrenching tragedy.
