Charlie's Haven Animal Sanctuary
Hi there! We’re Charlie’s Haven and our goal for this fundraising is to buy a property with land in Ireland on which we can build our dream vision of this vegan animal sanctuary and education centre for the community.
Just a quick note from myself before you read on. - I really do believe this could be something incredibly special and so I’ve tried to do my very best in translating my vision for you all to see and enjoy as well. I’m not the biggest poet so I have included lots of images and collage boards throughout to hopefully do this idea justice. There’s a lot to get to here so feel free to jump ahead to wherever you’re interested. Enjoy. x
Our vision
I would like to firstly give you a quick overview of what we’re all about and then I’ll dive deeper into each part of this project, aka the more exciting part of the read with pictures of cute animals! (I wouldn’t be offended if you skipped ahead 😉)
Our vision is of creating a kinder, more natural way of helping animals in need in the form of a slightly unique sanctuary, as well as creating an education and healing hub for the community with a focus on veganism, holistic animal care, and taking care of the natural world. We would like to do things differently at the sanctuary and have plenty of ideas ready to go. Just a few examples to start you off include: building animal focused businesses on-site with profits going back into the sanctuary, as well as being of use to the local community; making use of marketing and social media to generate income for the sanctuary as well as publicity and reach; and a focus on keeping animals in groups/packs natural to their species, this means no more isolating kennels for dogs and a lot more freedom, space, play and choice for all of the animals.
Not only that, but with our model of a ‘self-sufficient’ sanctuary (income coming from businesses on-site and social media, not relying on public donations), it means that by donating once, you are enabling us to help animals on your behalf for years and years to come. How neat is that?!
If this sounds like your cup of tea, then please do continue on.
The doghouse
The vision for the dogs has to be one of my favourites on the sanctuary. Doggy daycare by day, cosy home environment by night, with fenced in fields, plenty of group walks and enrichment galore!
The lucky residents here at the dog centre will be a mixture of our own sanctuary dogs as well as foster dogs from other rescues. Taking on foster dogs, as well as our own sanctuary pups, gives us the chance to help existing rescues who have funds but just need that extra space for their furry residents looking for homes.
The dogs’ area will resemble a doggy daycare, with different groups for different temperaments. They will have cosy sofas in warm, heated cabins leading out onto enclosed grassy areas allowing the dogs freedom of choice, play and friends. And of course, a friendly human around to provide cuddles and snacks!
And finally winding down for the night in their cosy kennels next to their friends, falling asleep to the soothing sound of waves ready to do it all again the next day.
This will of course provide plenty of jobs and volunteering opportunities. I mean, who wouldn’t want to spend their day covered in hair, slobber and soggy paw prints? 😊
(Please note, none of these images are our own)
The chicken coop
Our main aim here is to provide as many ex-battery hens a loving retirement home as possible, as well as keeping our doors open to other two legged feathered creatures who might be in need of a home. With spacious coop sheds and large enclosed fields to have fun in, this will be a beautiful addition to the sanctuary and an effective way to help a large number of souls in need.
(Please note, none of these images are our own)
The farmyard crew
Our home to pigs, cows, goats, donkeys, and sheep from the meat and dairy industry as well as other situations who were in need of a good home. As with the other animals, there will be a big focus on keeping the animals in suitable groups and having large, safe paddocks and enclosures to finally offer these souls the freedom, play and safety they have always deserved. I’m sure this is going to be incredibly heart-warming to witness and to share to everyone who has helped to make this happen when the time comes. I cannot wait to share this one! 💕
(Please note, none of these images are our own)
The popcorn town
And finally for the animals, we have the guinea pigs’ and rabbits’ home. The idea here is to house large groups of compatible individuals together, with spacious sheds and a large enclosed outdoor area filled with enrichment. I have a feeling this cute little area will be a hit with the little humans. 🦄
(Please note, none of these images are our own)
Education
We have an awful lot of ideas in this section that I’m really excited about so please bear in mind that this is just a handful of exciting projects we have planned for this area! I would have adored something like this when I was younger so I’m very passionate about bringing it into the world and I think this will be the section that expands and grows the most as we go on this journey!
We would like to have an alternative education hub on the land with a focus on educating about veganism; the natural world and taking care of mother earth; gentle and holistic handling and animal care; as well as just allowing fun and play in a safe and natural environment.
Although we can do our best to save as many animals as we can, we think the biggest change for these animals will always come from the individual. And what better way to do this than by educating and investing in our future generations. This is where our idea for an education hub for the community slots in. Imagine plenty of large cabins/classrooms surrounded by play areas, forest schools, and of course the Irish countryside and nature.
(Please note, none of these images are our own)
We would like to be able to offer a variety of workshops, classes, educational programmes and opportunities to the youngest amongst us right up until our young adults. These would include things like a forest school, home education days and groups, kids clubs, summer programmes, apprenticeships, work experience opportunities, courses, and experience and handling days.
The animal education will have a broad focus on more compassionate and gentle handling and care of the animals, as well as providing a solid basis in all of the important subjects with animals (think nutrition, care, anatomy, first aid etc.)
Although education is the main focus here, we do also hope that this area will be a gentle and safe place to explore, play and have fun with friends for the younger generation in the community.
Retreats
This is another area that has the potential to really expand and grow as we continue. Here, we would like to have a large space on-site in order to run and host retreats, courses and educational programmes for the grown-up humans in the community. With a focus on topics and teachers that align to our values at the sanctuary, we hope to be able to create a really cosy and safe environment for healing, growth and learning. Once again focusing on investing in the individual. With ideas currently in the workshop such as: vegan taster days, yoga retreats, reiki courses, and animal therapy sessions. This will be another source of income for the sanctuary, allowing us to provide a few free spaces on each of the projects for those who need it.
Social media
A big focus at the sanctuary will be social media because of the potential we see in this for all types of rescues and sanctuaries. We will have channels across all different platforms including Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Tiktok ensuring everybody can access the content in their preferred form. I think this will be a really great way of sharing the positivity and fun at the sanctuary out into the world, no doom and gloom here!
Along with income coming in from ad revenue, we would also like to venture out and work with brands, individuals and companies that really align with what we stand for at the sanctuary.
Not only will this open opportunities for the community in social media such as jobs, apprenticeships and work experience, but it will also provide us with an audience in which to begin many new ventures such as an online store (vegan of course).
On-site businesses
Our goal for this area of the sanctuary is to be able to provide opportunities for local people and businesses, whilst providing an additional income back into the sanctuary. With the unique selling point of the profits going back into an animal sanctuary, what pet owner wouldn't want to use our facilities?
One of the businesses here will be a unique dog grooming salon, where the groom is more compassionate and cooperative, taking the time to ensure the pup getting pampered is comfortable and enjoying the process. No more stressful grooming sessions for the dog or the groomer. With soothing music and a calming scent in the air, this really is a spa day for the pampered pooch.
A few other ideas currently in the works include a physio and hydrotherapy centre, animal reiki sessions, and a holistic doggy daycare for perhaps the quieter furry citizens of the world.
Community
The community here is incredibly important, none of this will be possible without it and so we feel it’s important to make sure we are providing back to the local community as well as those online. We want to build a haven not only for the animals in our care, but also for all of the humans involved as well.
We truly believe that the biggest change will come from the individual and so our goal is to change the world for animals and nature on the individual level. Just 1 person going vegan can save more animals than even the best sanctuary can in a lifetime! And now I know we talk a lot about veganism, but it’s not all about getting people to go completely vegan. We do recognise that just small changes like a family having a regular meat-free Monday or perhaps not consuming dairy for instance is still going to have a massive impact on the lives of animals. At the sanctuary, we welcome any reduction in the consumption of animal products. It’s all progress to us!
The project will provide plenty of jobs, volunteer positions, work experience and apprenticeship opportunities in a lot of different areas, to the local community and to neurodivergent individuals. We would truly like this to be a real hub for the community as well as creating our own community to enjoy here.
A massive thank you!
If you carved out the time in your day to read a section or even the whole thing, I’m truly grateful. I really do hope as we continue to grow and follow this journey here, that I will get to see so many of your faces at the sanctuary or in the online community. You’re more than welcome here!
And please do not worry if you cannot give much or at all. Just a quick like or follow on our social medias is just as powerful and supportive, or perhaps you have an expertise or skill to volunteer. I appreciate any of your support!
And finally from myself, the future team and from all the animals and humans we will be able to provide a home for because of you, thank you. Freya x
Facebook - @Charlie's Haven Animal Sanctuary
Instagram - @charlieshavenanimalsanctuary
YouTube - @CharliesHavenAnimalSanctuary
TikTok - soon to come!!