Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
42<br />
Bella & Brave<br />
by Nicola Gray<br />
When we think about rehoming and<br />
rescuing animals we think of homeless<br />
dogs and stray cats; Bella & Brave<br />
Animal Sanctuary have thought<br />
outside the pen and set up a haven for<br />
unwanted goats and sheep in the heart<br />
of Newburgh village.<br />
The sanctuary is a vegan-run<br />
enterprise and the main aim of owner,<br />
Alison Dennigan, is to educate the<br />
local community on the true purpose<br />
and potential of these animals. Alison<br />
told me, “We believe that all life<br />
matters and these animals can have a<br />
space without being used by us.”<br />
Alison & Freddie<br />
before I started the sanctuary. There<br />
was nothing particularly special<br />
about Bella or Brave, but that’s<br />
what our sanctuary is all about –<br />
appreciating all animals just for being<br />
themselves.”<br />
She added, “Since February 2017<br />
we have mainly taken on unwanted<br />
pets, you’d be surprised how many<br />
people buy these animals with a view<br />
to having them as family pets. Lots of<br />
people ask me how old sheep usually<br />
live to, and the answer is six months,<br />
but naturally, they can live to 20 years<br />
plus.<br />
Alison, along with a few volunteers, set up Bella & Brave four<br />
years-ago after caring for sheep of her own at home. She<br />
was approached by the widow of an owner who wished to<br />
rehome their animals and with eight elderly Soay sheep, the<br />
sanctuary was born. Alison added, “Lots of people dream<br />
about winning the lottery and starting an animal sanctuary,<br />
but why wait? I already had eight sheep and I wanted to be<br />
able to share that experience with others.”<br />
“I named the sanctuary after two of the sheep that I lost<br />
“My passion is giving the oldies somewhere to live out their<br />
natural lives. It’s easy for people to rehome young sheep and<br />
goats, who are still cute and bouncy, but I want to take the<br />
animals no one else wants.<br />
Most of the animals that come to Alison are old and need<br />
care but along with a dedicated band of volunteers, they<br />
ensure that the sheep and goats are vaccinated, fed, sheared,<br />
receive medical care when needed, and most importantly,<br />
that they live happy and peaceful lives.<br />
Alison said, “All the volunteers are really important to me,<br />
Diploma Qualified by Diane<br />
Tel: 01695 624 098<br />
Mob: 07442 015 490<br />
Email: OrrellPoochParlour@gmail.com<br />
Facebook: Orrell Pooch Parlour<br />
Bella & Brave Volunteers<br />
Alison with her children & Johnson the Goat
Change language