08/06/2025
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 are still hoping that the last-minute possibility they posted about turned into something tangible.
* * *
Heartstone Sanctuary is currently facing an unthinkable tragedy unless someone with the means steps up to provide financial assistance.
They were forced to evacuate their original land when it began to sink and flood, only to find that the owner of the land to which they relocated decided to do an about-face on the agreement he had made to sell the land to Heartstone. Now they are facing an eviction date of August 10th, as well as possible government seizure of 20+ special needs cows.
Ever since the flooding began, the founder, Nia (with a tiny team of only 1-2 people) has been desperately pleading with the vegan community for help, to no avail, all while managing the day to day tasks at the sanctuary. She had already been searching for a benefactor for years, as there is little support for animal sanctuaries in a small country like Ireland. Nia is now anticipating the imminent slaughter of the vulnerable souls for whom she has provided rescue and protection, some of whom are blind, deaf, or otherwise disabled.
Heartstone is the only cow sanctuary in all of Ireland. There is nowhere else for these cows to go, and if they are not relocated soon, they will certainly be shot. They have been struggling to find an affordable property that also provides the legally required infrastructure for cows, and the closest they have come to is listed at 570K euro, which would only provide a derelict cottage for Nia’s own accommodation, but would at least allow for the relocation of the cows. Finding a sponsor is the only way for them to acquire even this minimally adequate location.
It’s true that more cows are killed every single hour in this country alone, but it seems exceptionally tragic that these particularly vulnerable cows should have to lose their lives when there is someone willing to provide them with care and shelter.
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.
