What we do

Introduction

My Lovely Horse Rescue is a registered charity operating in the Leinster and Cork regions. We rescue, rehabilitate and rehome equines and other animals; we assist authorities in moving equines to a place of safety; we advocate for the enforcement of animal welfare legislation and we educate around issues of responsible horse ownership. Much of this work occurs in our centres (see below) as well as in the community.

Our Rescue Centres

MLHR Kildare Centre

My Lovely Pig Rescue

My Lovely Horse Rescue Cork

MLHR has two rescue centres in Co Kildare. Our main centre is a 40 acre farm which was originally an old dairy farm. It has a charming little two-storey farmhouse where our volunteers can sleep over when they’re on duty and where everyone can eat lunch in our cosy farm kitchen surrounded by our rescue dogs who have the full run of the place. You also may often find yourself munching beside one of the pigs or mini horses who try their luck and sneak in!

Our other centre is located at the home of our founder Cathy Davey. Her farm has become the base of My Lovely Pig Rescue and here Cathy is pioneering animal welfare treatment for pigs and farmed animals in general. She also looks after some of the equines who, due to ill health, cannot be rehomed.

We opened our MLHR Cork center in 2018. This is based on the family farm of Jeannette O’Connell through whose amazing kindness we have been able to establish our first base outside Leinster. The center is run by Kelly Mellerick and through the efforts of both these women and their small but dedicated volunteer team they have achieved so much in such a short space of time.

It’s a much smaller center than our Kildare ones and they usually have around 25 equines in their care. They may be a small operation but they have rescued over 100 equines since they started. They go to callouts all across Munster and also rescue horses from the pound. They have saved so many lives and we are beyond proud of our Southern operation.

Advocating for Improved Animal Welfare

MLHR are actively involved in the following:

Kilkenny Council Animal Welfare Charter Committee
Members include MLHR, ISPCA, An Garda Síochána, Kilkenny Council and local TDs and Councillors. The committee is chaired by Cllr Andrew McGuinness
Cork North West
MLHR are actively engaging with local councillors and TDs to advocate for enforcement of laws and reducing the numbers of horses with welfare issues, reduce numbers straying and being kept illegally in the area. A presentation was made to all local representatives on January 2021 and MLHR will be presenting at the Local Area Committee meeting for Cork North West on 22 February 2021.
Liberties Horse Culture Group, Dublin 8
An ongoing meeting of local Dublin City Councillors (Cllr Darragh Moriarty, Cllr Tina MacVeigh), local TD (Joan Collins), MLHR, Horse Drawn Carriages Drivers representative and local groups.

My Lovely Charity Shop
&
My Lovely Tack Shack

Our MLHR shop is based in Edenderry, in a very pretty building on the main street. We have some beautiful quality clothes, jewellery and household items for sale so do come and support us. You can check out the shop on Facebook (add link) (https://www.facebook.com/My-Lovely-Charity-Shop-215831438590827/) If you’re interested in any equine related items you’ll find them there too, just pop upstairs to our Lovely Tack Shack. Some fantastic deals are always on offer! You can also order items from our Lovely Tack Shack online [ link ]. We have a superb collection of new and pre-loved riding gear and tack including indoor rugs, saddles and boots.

My Lovely Vegan Food

With many of our volunteers being vegetarian or vegan we love to swap recipes and ideas together and now we’re bringing them to the public through the My Lovely Food Facebook and Instagram pages. The goal is to show how easy it can be to incorporate vegan meals into anyone’s diet and to share fun and easy ideas and recipes to try yourself.
Facebook: My Lovely Vegan Food @mlhrveganfood
Instagram: @mylovelyveganfood

My Lovely Auction

My Lovely Auction grew from the seeds of creativity within our volunteer group and the need to harness much needed funds. Our crafters now include family, friends and supporters and our auctions have a huge selection of arts, crafts, jewellery and unique items on offer all made with love on behalf of MLHR. In these Covid times and with the escalation in online shopping we hope the My Lovely Auction page will offer our supporters the opportunity to purchase quality, eclectic, handmade gifts for all occasions. It’s a win win situation...great gifts for a great cause and so much fun too. https://www.facebook.com/My-Lovely-Auction-111109223960922