When Louise Yule and her partner Mike Kinghorn moved to a farm near Kintore, Aberdeenshire, 20 years ago, they had no plans to run an animal sanctuary. Their dream was simply the “good life” — a quiet farm with a few animals.
Today, Halfpenny Farm is a registered charity and a haven for animals that can’t be rehomed, from horses and sheep to cats, dogs, rabbits, and ferrets. Their dedication has earned them a spot on the BBC Make a Difference Awards shortlist in the Animal category.
From Farm Life to Animal Rescue
The couple’s journey began with their own animals, including a horse named Bournville, two sheep, and two goats, joining their existing pets. Louise, who had left her job as a research technician at the University of Aberdeen, and Mike, previously in the oil industry, soon found themselves taking in rescues.
“We’re a forever home for animals no one else can take,” Louise says. Many of the animals arrive with health or behavioral issues, making them difficult to rehome.
Word quickly spread, and soon vets were bringing unwanted animals to the farm. Louise recalls, “Animals would be taken in to be put to sleep and I’d say, ‘I’ll take them home!’ I could help!”
Establishing Halfpenny Farm as a Charity
About 15 years ago, the farm became a registered charity, dedicated to providing a sanctuary for animals that had nowhere else to go. Louise estimates that over the years, they have cared for around 1,000 animals with the support of a few hundred volunteers.
Running a sanctuary isn’t cheap. With rising costs, vet care and feeding alone can reach £60,000 per year. At one point, Louise feared they might have to close, but volunteer-led fundraising efforts provided critical support, helping them continue their mission.
Supporting Animals and People
Halfpenny Farm isn’t just about animal care — it also provides opportunities for people. Volunteers include individuals with learning difficulties, students earning their Duke of Edinburgh awards, and those looking to gain confidence or return to work.
Innis, 22, from Aberdeen, has helped at the sanctuary for over a year, primarily working with larger animals. His favorite resident? Sherman the sheep, known for being friendly and personable.
Louise emphasizes the mutual benefit:
“The animals do a lot to help people, and the people do a lot to help the animals. It’s really nice that the volunteers — and the animals — get acknowledged.”
BBC Make a Difference Awards
The winners of the BBC Make a Difference Awards will be announced at a ceremony in Glasgow, with results broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland’s Mornings programme on 29 September. Whether or not Halfpenny Farm wins, Louise is proud of their work and the community they’ve built: a dedicated core crew and a “little family” of volunteers and animals.