Our history
In 2004 I spent many months reading about the factory farming of animals , and it’s associated industries. I was shocked and could not believe how each year billions of animals are intensively farmed, and the immense suffering that they are subjected to.
Through research it also became apparent the impact this farming has on the the environment, not to mention loss of habitats and water shortages in developing countries. I also researched the extent of abuse animals are subject to in the entertainment industry, research and sport.
ABOVE: Preparing the land for our first paddock
I had to do something
In May of 2004 I knew I couldn’t sit back and carry on with my life without trying to do something.
I spent the next six months meeting with founders of charities, and organisations, and racked my mind thinking how can I help, what can I do that would make a real difference.
I wanted to set up an animal education centre and sanctuary and spend my time campaigning.
I thought how on earth can I set up a charity to show and educate people about where their bacon roll or chicken tikka masala comes from, whilst at the same time offering a sanctuary for some of these animals? I had no experience of this and no money.
ABOVE: Building our first stables
ABOVE: Mary’s first ever event at Viva’s Roadshow in Gloucester
ABOVE: Mary’s first half marathon to raise funds for the Sanctuary
How can I do it?
My background has always been in the recruitment industry, I had worked for many recruitment companies both large and small in the role of consultant.
The last thing I wanted to do was to go back into this industry having come out of it to get involved in animal welfare. However, this was where my skills lay and I knew if I really wanted this idea to work then setting up a recruitment agency with its sole aim to be able to set up a sanctuary could work.
A big challenge perhaps…
Fuelled by the fact that no matter how hard it would be, no matter how many hurdles I would have to face, how exhausting, relentless and all consuming it could become, it would never be as painful as what the animals subject to factory farming and other industries were going through, and so work began.
It took years to raise the money and to find the right location and in December 2016 Dean Farm Animal Sanctuary moved to its site in Shirenewton, Chepstow, South Wales and is currently home to over 200 animals.
Life at the Sanctuary
My time is now dedicated to the Sanctuary and campaigning to raise awareness and promote compassionate living to help reduce animal suffering.
Mary Frankland, Founder and Trustee, Dean Farm Trust
Our Mission Statement
To rescue, rehabilitate and give a home for life to abused, neglected and unwanted animals whilst promoting compassionate living.
Through the years
Our history at a glance
This timeline shows some highlights from our humble beginnings.
2013
Preparing our first paddock
2013
The first flood in our hen house
2013
Our first rescued hens
A bit of description goes here about the specific event on this date. Sedis ea del ea venissimi, cumes quiates aut ut lab is aut verferepro vendamendent etur atio con parum.2013
Pete & Donny our first rescued sheep
A bit of description goes here about the specific event on this date. Sedis ea del ea venissimi, cumes quiates aut ut lab is aut verferepro vendamendent etur atio con parum.2013
Our first stables
A bit of description goes here about the specific event on this date. Sedis ea del ea venissimi, cumes quiates aut ut lab is aut verferepro vendamendent etur atio con parum.2014
Betty, our first rescue puppy farm survivor
A bit of description goes here about the specific event on this date. Sedis ea del ea venissimi, cumes quiates aut ut lab is aut verferepro vendamendent etur atio con parum.
2014
Clive breaks her leg
A bit of description goes here about the specific event on this date. Sedis ea del ea venissimi, cumes quiates aut ut lab is aut verferepro vendamendent etur atio con parum.
2014
Clive breaks her leg
A bit of description goes here about the specific event on this date. Sedis ea del ea venissimi, cumes quiates aut ut lab is aut verferepro vendamendent etur atio con parum.
2014
1st Gloucester Vivas Roadshow
A bit of description goes here about the specific event on this date. Sedis ea del ea venissimi, cumes quiates aut ut lab is aut verferepro vendamendent etur atio con parum.
2014
Viva’s award for Dedication and Committment to Animals
A bit of description goes here about the specific event on this date. Sedis ea del ea venissimi, cumes quiates aut ut lab is aut verferepro vendamendent etur atio con parum.
2014
The only way we knew how to move our sheep
A bit of description goes here about the specific event on this date. Sedis ea del ea venissimi, cumes quiates aut ut lab is aut verferepro vendamendent etur atio con parum.
2014
Our first rescue mini shetlands Sammy and Brambles
A bit of description goes here about the specific event on this date. Sedis ea del ea venissimi, cumes quiates aut ut lab is aut verferepro vendamendent etur atio con parum.
2014
Nearly lost our bridge in floods
A bit of description goes here about the specific event on this date. Sedis ea del ea venissimi, cumes quiates aut ut lab is aut verferepro vendamendent etur atio con parum.
2015
Attending a protest against puppy farming & animal welfare
A bit of description goes here about the specific event on this date. Sedis ea del ea venissimi, cumes quiates aut ut lab is aut verferepro vendamendent etur atio con parum.
2015
Rosie, a horrific case of neglect
A bit of description goes here about the specific event on this date. Sedis ea del ea venissimi, cumes quiates aut ut lab is aut verferepro vendamendent etur atio con parum.
2015
Mary’s first Veg Fest event
A bit of description goes here about the specific event on this date. Sedis ea del ea venissimi, cumes quiates aut ut lab is aut verferepro vendamendent etur atio con parum.
2015
Freedom
A bit of description goes here about the specific event on this date. Sedis ea del ea venissimi, cumes quiates aut ut lab is aut verferepro vendamendent etur atio con parum.
2016
Marys first half marathon to raise funds for the Sanctuary
A bit of description goes here about the specific event on this date. Sedis ea del ea venissimi, cumes quiates aut ut lab is aut verferepro vendamendent etur atio con parum.
2016
Rosie nursend back to health
A bit of description goes here about the specific event on this date. Sedis ea del ea venissimi, cumes quiates aut ut lab is aut verferepro vendamendent etur atio con parum.
2017
Our sanctuary, a lot of work to do
A bit of description goes here about the specific event on this date. Sedis ea del ea venissimi, cumes quiates aut ut lab is aut verferepro vendamendent etur atio con parum.
2017
With no water on site, had to ferry it from my house for six months
A bit of description goes here about the specific event on this date. Sedis ea del ea venissimi, cumes quiates aut ut lab is aut verferepro vendamendent etur atio con parum.
2017
Our Turkeys first press release
A bit of description goes here about the specific event on this date. Sedis ea del ea venissimi, cumes quiates aut ut lab is aut verferepro vendamendent etur atio con parum.
2017
Fencing starts in Bunny Terrace
A bit of description goes here about the specific event on this date. Sedis ea del ea venissimi, cumes quiates aut ut lab is aut verferepro vendamendent etur atio con parum.
2017
Still no tractor everything done by hand and wheelbarrows
A bit of description goes here about the specific event on this date. Sedis ea del ea venissimi, cumes quiates aut ut lab is aut verferepro vendamendent etur atio con parum.
2017
Visitors enjoying the open day food
A bit of description goes here about the specific event on this date. Sedis ea del ea venissimi, cumes quiates aut ut lab is aut verferepro vendamendent etur atio con parum.
2017
Our open day flyer
A bit of description goes here about the specific event on this date. Sedis ea del ea venissimi, cumes quiates aut ut lab is aut verferepro vendamendent etur atio con parum.
2018
Desperate for a track
A bit of description goes here about the specific event on this date. Sedis ea del ea venissimi, cumes quiates aut ut lab is aut verferepro vendamendent etur atio con parum.
2018
More mud
A bit of description goes here about the specific event on this date. Sedis ea del ea venissimi, cumes quiates aut ut lab is aut verferepro vendamendent etur atio con parum.
2018
Digging our way into the sanctuary
A bit of description goes here about the specific event on this date. Sedis ea del ea venissimi, cumes quiates aut ut lab is aut verferepro vendamendent etur atio con parum.
2018
Tina’s first national editorial
A bit of description goes here about the specific event on this date. Sedis ea del ea venissimi, cumes quiates aut ut lab is aut verferepro vendamendent etur atio con parum.
2019
Phillip and Socks in the press promoting compassionate living
A bit of description goes here about the specific event on this date. Sedis ea del ea venissimi, cumes quiates aut ut lab is aut verferepro vendamendent etur atio con parum.
2019
We launch our external outreach and events
A bit of description goes here about the specific event on this date. Sedis ea del ea venissimi, cumes quiates aut ut lab is aut verferepro vendamendent etur atio con parum.
2019
Matt pritchard becomes our Patreon
A bit of description goes here about the specific event on this date. Sedis ea del ea venissimi, cumes quiates aut ut lab is aut verferepro vendamendent etur atio con parum.
2019
Biggest hen rescue of 70 ex laying hens
A bit of description goes here about the specific event on this date. Sedis ea del ea venissimi, cumes quiates aut ut lab is aut verferepro vendamendent etur atio con parum.
2020
Awarded UK’s Favourite Animals Sanctuary
A bit of description goes here about the specific event on this date. Sedis ea del ea venissimi, cumes quiates aut ut lab is aut verferepro vendamendent etur atio con parum.
2020
COVID 19: virtual tours & fundraising due to being closed
A bit of description goes here about the specific event on this date. Sedis ea del ea venissimi, cumes quiates aut ut lab is aut verferepro vendamendent etur atio con parum.
2020
Fundraiser raises thousands for us in his back garden during COVID 19
A bit of description goes here about the specific event on this date. Sedis ea del ea venissimi, cumes quiates aut ut lab is aut verferepro vendamendent etur atio con parum.
2020
Changing barn doors to prevent flooding
A bit of description goes here about the specific event on this date. Sedis ea del ea venissimi, cumes quiates aut ut lab is aut verferepro vendamendent etur atio con parum.
2021
Planning for our future
A bit of description goes here about the specific event on this date. Sedis ea del ea venissimi, cumes quiates aut ut lab is aut verferepro vendamendent etur atio con parum.
Our history in numbers
2013
A KEY YEAR
In 2013, Dean Farm Trust Animal Sanctuary rescued our first residents; Sooty and Pudding.
2017
FIRST OPEN DAY
We opened out sanctuary doors to welcome our first visitors.
200+
SANCTUARY RESIDENTS
Dean Farm Trust Animal Sanctuary is now a home for life for over 200 residents.