Heartwood Haven in Roy opened in 2017 with a deep mission: to rescue animals from cruelty, abuse and neglect; to rehabilitate them and adopt them into loving, forever homes when possible; to provide sanctuary to animals that are not adoptable; and to educate the public about animal cruelty, with an emphasis on farm animals. Since then, they have rescued more than 2,200 farm animals.
Farm Animal Sanctuary Started by Two Women on a Mission
Unfortunately, illegal animal fighting still takes place across America, including here in Pierce County. In 2017, a cock fighting ring was busted, and a group of roosters was seized. With nowhere for them to go, the roosters faced euthanasia. Kate Tsyrklevich and Hope Hilman learned about the roosters and decided to do something.
“Without experience or a roadmap – but knowing it wasn’t right – we said yes to one rooster,” shares Kate. “We named him Porter. That one ‘yes’ changed everything.”
Kate and Hope learned a lot from Porter – farm animals are more than just products. They have personalities, needs, fears, and the capacity for love and trust. “One rescue became a few, and a few became many,” Kate adds. “What started on a small 2.5-acre property has grown into a 45-acre farm animal sanctuary in Roy.”
Their focus is what Kate calls “farmed animals,” including cows, pigs, chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys. They do occasionally take in other farm species. Currently, Heartwood Haven is home to over 100 sanctuary animals. Since 2017, they have adopted out over 1,870 animals. Kate says they rescue approximately 200 to 300 animals a year, 85% of those coming from cruelty or neglect. “We have developed particular expertise in responding to large-scale cruelty cases involving farmed animals,” she adds.
Over the years, they have taken in animals from law enforcement seizures and investigations, abandoned and stray animals, owner death or incapacitation, medical owner surrenders, domestic violence situations, and animals from animal testing sites.
Heartwood Haven Builds Medical Barn for Rescue Animals
As one can imagine, animals coming from these situations often need veterinary care. “Many arrive severely neglected, injured, or in need of specialized medical care and rehabilitation before they can either be adopted into loving homes or remain at the sanctuary as permanent residents,” explains Kate.
Their current barn is over 100 years old and has reached the end of its useful life. “While it has served us well, it no longer provides the safe, functional space needed to care for the growing number of rescued animals arriving at Heartwood Haven,” shares Kate.
While Heartwood Haven currently operates an on-site surgery suite, it lacks adequate facilities to house and monitor large animals recovering from surgery, illness, or injury. Existing quarantine space is often stretched beyond capacity during large-scale cruelty cases involving dozens or even hundreds of animals. One example is Maple, a pig that underwent surgery to remove cancerous growths. “Without a dedicated medical barn, providing the specialized recovery space she needed was challenging and prolonged her healing process,” shares Heartwood Haven.
So, Heartwood Haven is currently fundraising to build a $200,000 medical barn for its rescued animals. “The new medical barn will provide dedicated spaces for rehabilitation, quarantine, emergency treatment, and recovery,” Kate says. “It will improve biosecurity, allow us to isolate sick or vulnerable animals better, and significantly improve the level of veterinary care we can provide.”
The new barn will aid the veterinarians who come to the sanctuary to care for the animals. “Having a dedicated medical barn will allow our veterinary partners to perform many treatments and procedures more efficiently on-site while providing animals with a safer, less stressful recovery environment,” Kate explains.
After leadership gifts, their Gala and recent Hearts & Hooves Auction, Heartwood Haven has raised $124,000 of the $200,000 needed for the new facility. You can support the sanctuary by:
- Making a donation towards the Medical Barn Campaign.
- Become a monthly donor to provide dependable support throughout the year.
- Volunteer at the sanctuary.
- Attend public tours or educational events.
- Sponsor an animal.
- Follow and share Heartwood Haven on social media (Facebook, Instagram).
- Donate supplies from the wish list.
Kate says one of the questions they get asked most is, “Isn’t your work difficult?” The answer is yes, but there are incredible moments too. “Every animal who arrives at Heartwood Haven has a story,” shares Kate. “Many have experienced neglect, cruelty, or abandonment, yet time and again we watch them learn to trust again. Seeing a frightened pig make friends for the first time, or a neglected chicken finally feel safe enough to dust bathe, reminds us why this work matters. Heartwood Haven isn’t just rescuing animals—we’re creating opportunities for people to connect with them, see them as individuals, and discover that compassion has the power to transform both animals’ lives and our own.”
Learn more on the Heartwood Haven website.
