News from the Sanctuary

We would like to wish everyone a wonderful new year and apologise that we haven't written for a while. We hope everyone had a super festive break and we are looking forward to sharing some exciting updates! So, grab a brew and a biscuit - safe in the knowledge that one of our biccie loving bovines isn't close by enough to steal it from you - and please read on for our recent news. 

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Last year was a very busy year with some great accomplishments. Firstly, we took on 4 more calves: Optimus Madhu Mangal, Peggy, Grace and Angus Laxmi Kanta.

It began with Optimus...

In 2024 a lady and her partner came from near Birmingham for Cow Hugging. Shortly after, she had a chance encounter with a local farmer at a filling station, who said she could visit his calves. She visited, and got them interested in digestive biscuits. Each week she would visit them, until one day the farmer told her he was retiring and they were to be sold at market. There were 10 calves. She contacted us asking if we could take Optimus, who was closest to her heart. We agreed. So, she bought him and the farmer offered to transport him here.

Cue Grace and Peggy...

On the day of Optimus' arrival, Claire, who runs our website was also here. The lady showed us videos of Peggy and Grace, and with little thought Claire purchased Peggy and we purchased Grace. They both arrived here the following week. All 3 were very happy to be reunited. This was in March 2025.

Fast forward to October, and this is how Angus arrived...

We rented a field from a local farmer. Angus and a few others were in a field adjacent. One day, I was standing at the gate of the field and Angus was there. I looked into his eyes and all to be seen was total innocence and his soul. All I could feel is 'you need to live with us'... but, we are full. That night, I woke up with the thought 'he must come here'. So a price was agreed with the farmer and he came to us in October 2025.

Optimus, Peggy, Grace and Angus have settled in well and are a total pleasure to have in the herd.

Building begins...

Taking on the 4 calves meant we needed more barn space for the cows. So, scraping together as much money as we could and with the help of some kind donations, we worked hard and extended the barn just in time for winter.

All of the cows are doing well and enjoying their new barn. 

We also needed rent more land to make extra hay for the cows. Usually we have about 30 acres a year, which we cut for hay. Last year we met a kind gentleman who is a barrister and vegetarian and he has given us the use of his 20 acres for free each year!  Also, someone else offered us a further 4 acres for free to use each year. The 20 acres is a 15 mile round journey, so, we needed a bigger and faster tractor. Kindly a dear friend bought us another tractor which is more suitable for the job. We are very thankful. 

Admin updates...

My computer skills are marginal, and I have felt publishing regular updates too much of a burden to put on Claire who runs our website while she works full time. By grace, Alice has come on board who will be taking on the job of publishing our sanctuary updates.

Alice says... 

"It's a real privilege to be part of the Cow Companions team. I have worked on and off farms for many years, alongside working full time as a Graphic Designer. Living nearly 150 miles away, I can't see the cows as often as I'd like to, so to be able to contribute to the Sanctuary in this way makes me very, very happy."

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I would like to thank everyone for their support. I always feel like I don't do enough to thank people, but in my heart  I feel so much gratitude to every subscriber, visitor, sponsor and donator. By you, are we able to continue. My heartfelt thank you and very best wishes to you all.  🙏