Amberwood Animals

Story

Amberwood Animals began in spring 2021, when Mark Wakeling checked in on a farmer friend whose beef farm on the Oxfordshire–Buckinghamshire border was closing. The farm’s last ten cows and twenty sheep were due to be sent for slaughter, so Mark raised money from friends, bought them, and began renting part of the farm as a permanent sanctuary.

It has since taken in pigs and more sheep, and now cares for around 50 animals. Two of its pigs, Mable and Bella, are blind and receive individual care.

Mark’s own path to the sanctuary was unusual: the son of a man who ran livestock markets, he hunted as a young man and served as a soldier before working as an actor and acting teacher. He runs Amberwood largely single-handed, with help from volunteers.

Official Website

amberwoodanimals.com

Location

Near Bicester, Oxfordshire, England

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