Millingtons Magical Barn Location: In Yorkshire, Millington’s Magical Barn is a new shelter for animals in need We have 30 animals, including alpacas, goats, sheep, and pigs, spared from torture or slaughter. In addition to rescuing and rehabilitating 24 hens, we’ve raised £4,890 for Millington’s Magical Barn’s additional 30 Rescue animals.
Our goal is to raise enough money to cover the costs of bringing in 24 chickens from a North Yorkshire farm, as well as Millington’s Magical Barn’s ongoing support, in September when we take in the hens!
One day, we’ll run 47 kilometers from their current location to their future home!!
Almost 40 animals are currently under our care (soon to be 50). Our rescues have been saved from being abused, neglected, or even slaughtered by our efforts. The covid-19 epidemic forced us to postpone the application for a UK charity registration due to a reduction in funds and delays in administration, which will now be completed in spring 2021.
To wrap things up, allow me to introduce myself and tell you the origin tale of Millington’s Magical Barn. As the sanctuary’s founder, my name is Jake. Despite my deep affection for animals, I had come to the conclusion that I could not bear the thought of losing another one after experiencing the heartbreak of losing a dog when I was a child. My life was perfect…until Millington came up at my doorstep…
Veterinary Clinic
A stray cat was sitting close to the front door of the mill where I was working one day when I stepped outside to collect something from my truck. For the past several times I had seen this large and bushy man, he had refused to allow me to go close enough to touch him, until now. I loved him despite the fact that his skin was covered in fleas and his fur matted. As soon as he lifted his head after I had stroked him for 30 seconds, I saw an infected wound on his neck. He was unwell and had come to me for treatment!
Put him in the van and took him to the veterinary clinic with me by his side. My first thought when the receptionist asked my name was – Mill Cat! After a thorough inspection, the vet determined that he had a burst abscess, and he was rushed to the hospital and underwent surgery right away. A week later, I returned to the mill where he had been found and let him roam about my office while I pondered what to do with him. I couldn’t take him home because my cat Mila is afraid of other cats, and it wouldn’t be fair to either of them. Eventually, I decided to put him up for adoption. During the time I was occupied with my thoughts, he wandered across the office and sat in between my legs, looking up at me as if to ask, “Can I sit here?” A few minutes later, he fell asleep on my lap, and it appeared as if he’d already selected where he’d settle down.
However, Mill Cat was in need of a more official moniker and thus was born Millington. Millington Bear went on to enjoy another three happy years of his life before succumbing to the effects of living outside and dying in my arms. My interest in animal rescue organizations and sanctuaries had grown over the past few years and at this point, I thought that I could do more and started fostering rescue kittens. After finding a farm for sale in the area, I considered spending the savings I had accumulated over the years and creating a sanctuary. After realizing that my plan could be ridiculous, I pushed through and in September 2018 Millington’s Magical Barn was born!
Smile to the Animals’ Faces
To save money, I decided to wait until the farm was ready before accepting any animals, which would take around six months. During a trip to a friend’s birthday party two weeks later, I saw this adorable piglet on Instagram asking for a home. As the cocktails flowed, a decision was quickly made. It dawned on me that I had adopted a piglet the night before! This is a lot more serious than sending a drunk SMS to your ex!!
While Truffles and his 30+ companions are fortunate to be a minority in their species, it was the best move I’ve ever made. Together with my partner and a small group of volunteers who dedicate their time and energy solely to bringing a smile to the animals’ faces, our goal is to raise awareness about the cruelty inherent in many popular diets and lifestyle choices by giving these animals a platform to speak for themselves.
Millington’s was self-funded until April 2020. Every expense for the first 18 months was paid for out of my own pocket since I wanted to build the community’s confidence in us before asking for donations. Donations are now being accepted in order to build a long-term foundation for the refuge. This will allow us to continue to grow and save many more animals in the future.
Life in a sanctuary is not cheap. A long list of monthly expenses might be made for everything from pet food to veterinary care to veterinary medication to rent, transportation, fruit and vegetables, and general upkeep. More animals can be saved from a life of abuse, neglect, and killing with your aid and support. The three-legged lamb, Star, was born a year ago and currently lives at Millington’s Magical Barn in Thornhill, a small animal refuge.
Relocated from her Birthplace in the Yorkshire
The hop-a-long lamb had to be relocated from her birthplace in the Yorkshire Dales to a refuge managed by former rugby player Jake Ratcliffe and his veterinary nurse girlfriend Rosie Thompson out of compassion for all animals.
The Yorkshire Vet, a popular Channel 5 series, is documenting Star’s progress under the care of Donaldson’s vet Matt Smith in Huddersfield. “Star was born with no hoof or hock, just a stump,” said 30-year-old Jake. On the farm, her mother began to abandon her. As a result of her infirmity, the farmer’s wife requested that we adopt her. “Star has finally returned to the field after a below-the-knee amputation due to the deterioration of the limb.”
But this is just the beginning. Bionic Pets in Virginia, USA, has received a cast of Star’s stump and is now working on creating prostheses for animals. “This has been done in the United States for goats, but no one has heard of it happening in the UK for sheep,” Jake added. “The Yorkshire Vet is filming this one, which may be the first.” “I hope that in two or three months, Star will be able to walk again. She has the potential to smash records.”
Millington, a stray cat Jake adopted while working at a mill in Ravensthorpe, is the inspiration for the sanctuary’s name. Sunshine, a sheep who is both blind and deaf, is already a friend of Stars at the sanctuary. “Special needs sheep” is how Jake refers to them. His generosity extended to the veterinary care of a scruffy stray with “a hole in its neck.” Jake first referred to the cat as Mill Cat, but as the two became good friends, he renamed him, Millington.
