Dovedale Animal Sanctuary 

Lower Damgate Farm

Welcome to Dovedale Animal Sanctuary, a non-profit organisation that provides a forever loving home to rescued farm animals and wildlife. Founded it 1996 the farm is now home to over 100 animals including Alpacas, Goats, Sheep, Ducks, Chickens and Geese. In addition, we provide respite for wildlife including hedgehogs and other little critters who are later released back into the wild.

 All our animals have a story to tell. As well as rescuing them, we also work closely and spend time with them, providing care from the moment they arrive, building trust and confidence with time, love, food, medicine, husbandry, and housing, as well as dealing with any welfare and behaviour problems.

 Please be aware though that many of our animals are old and infirm, or if you see one limping or looking unwell, please don’t be perturbed, as they are well looked after but some do have long term health issues and are under permanent vet care.

 Over time the work we do enables our animals to feel safe and secure, to trust and feel comfortable again. Not every animal has had a bad start but in whatever circumstances they arrived at Dovedale Animal Sanctuary, the joy in looking after these animals is endless. Watching a sad, quiet, and often neglected animal turn into a loving confident and kind one, to see them thrive and gain confidence, and watch their characters develop is worth everything, even if they have long term illnesses, we know they are well cared for and happy.

 Sadly, at the moment our Sanctuary is not open to the general public, this is because we do not have the infrastructure, license or insurance needed to enable the public to visit. This is an expensive cost and some of our animals are under permanent vet care which financially outweighs anything else.

 The sanctuary is a non-profit organisation and mainly funded from our bookings and donations. In addition, all farm sales like eggs and jam or  are donated to the sanctuary and you can be assured that every penny goes to the animals.

If you are a resident guest on site in one of Lower Damgate Farm holiday cottages or visiting other guests at the farm, then you may meet our animals. Though a private sanctuary, our guests are welcome to join in with feeding or watch us working with the animals. We are happy to give you a pitch fork and a broom!

 Our animals love company and are very inquisitive. The goats and alpacas are very friendly, especially at feeding time! However, in the main the alpacas are a little standoffish, unless feed is around but will often hang back. Just let them come to you as they prefer quiet and calm. So please do not shout around them!

 The Goats on the other hand can be quite mischievous and boisterous, so care is always needed around them. They say hello by butting you and the pygmies have horns! Therefore, if you are feeding them stay in the safe enclosed area. The geese are noisy and if they come to you, flap your arms and they will move away. Children must be supervised at all times and guests interaction with the animals is at their own risk.  

 Our hens and ducks and geese are also all rescued and our guests are welcome to collect eggs from the laying boxes outside the hen house, alternately we leave some end the end of the road for locals, so first come first served!

Our hens often roam all around the farm and Free-range eggs means that the hens are not dependant on artificial warmth to lay, so please don’t be disappointed if there are only a few eggs! A recommended donation for the eggs is £1.50 per ½ dozen unless you are resident and then you are welcome to them for free!

All Donations go to support the Animals at Dovedale Animal Sanctuary. Thank You