We currently have over 100 animals in our care. Our rescues have been saved from abuse, neglect or even worse – slaughter. As a result of their past some of these guys cannot be rehomed however those that can will be. Millington’s has successfully fostered and rehomed dozens of sheep, goats, dogs, cats, and other small animals as well as several wildlife rehab and releases. As of April 2025 we have submitted an official charity application and hope to be accepted in order to further our mission.

MMB is an animal sanctuary for the benefit of the public to relieve the suffering of animals in need of care and attention and, in particular, to provide and maintain rescue homes or other facilities for the reception, care and treatment of such animals.
That’s the official business done, let me introduce myself and explain the story of how Millington’s Magical Barn came to exist. My name is Jake, and I am the founder of the sanctuary. I have always been an animal lover but after losing a dog at an early age had decided I couldn’t put myself through the pain of losing an animal again. That was until Millington showed up at my door.

I was working one day at a local Mill and went outside to get something from my van when I noticed a stray cat sat next to the front door. I had seen this big bushy guy a couple of times, but he had never got close enough to let me touch him until today. He was filthy, his fur was matted, and he was emaciated but he was an absolute love bug. After stroking him for 30 seconds he lifted his head, and I noticed a hole in his neck that looked infected – he was sick and had come to me for help! I put him in the van and took him, under my arm, into the local veterinary practice. The receptionist asked me his name and all I could think was – Mill Cat!

After examination, the vet diagnosed a burst abscess, and he was taken into care an operated on immediately. £2000, 21 questions about why I was caring for an old stray cat and a week later I collected him from the vets and took him back to the mill he came from and let him have a wander round my office whilst I decided what I could do with him – I couldn’t take him home as my cat Mila is scared of other cats and it wouldn’t be fair on either of them. Whilst I was sat thinking he sniffed around the office for a while until I realised, he was below my desk in between my legs looking up at me as if to say – can I sit there?? I picked him up and put him on my lap and he fell immediately to sleep, and it looked like he had decided where his home was!

Mill Cat needed a formal name however and so Millington was born. Millington Bear lived another 3 happy years where he lived his best life until eventually his years living outside caught up with him and he passed away in my arms. During this time, I had started to take more of an interest in animal rescues and various sanctuaries and at this point decided that I could do more and began to foster rescue kittens.

It turns out though that I had caught the bug and after seeing a local farm become available, I mulled over using the savings I had built up over the years and setting up a sanctuary. Although knowing the idea was probably crazy, I pushed onwards and so in September 2018 formed Millington’s Magical Barn!

The farm needed a lot of work doing to it and I decided that we wouldn’t take in any animals until it was ready, which we anticipated would be 6 months. 2 weeks later I was out celebrating a friend’s birthday when I saw a little piglet on Instagram looking to be rescued. The drinks were flowing, and the decision was made. I woke up in the morning realising I had adopted a piglet the night before, much more serious than a drunk text to your ex!! 

It turns out however it was the best decision I ever made as almost 3 years later Truffles and his 90 friends are the lucky advocates for their species however, they are the minority. 

Alongside my amazing partner and animal care manager, Rosie and a small number of volunteers who all give their time and dedication for nothing other than the smile on the animals faces, our mission is now to make these, and many more animals voices heard as loud and proud as possible, and in doing so attempt to raise awareness of the cruelties that lay behind many dietary and lifestyle choices.

Initially Millington’s was entirely self-funded. Too many sanctuaries and charities open and immediately ask for people’s cash but I wanted to build the support and trust of our community first therefore for the first 18 months every expense came from my own pocket.  To create a sustainable structure for the sanctuary I began to accept donations, as well as offer guided tours in return for a donation to give an insight into sanctuary life. This will allow us to thrive and expand, rescuing many more animals in need in the future. 

Sanctuary life is expensive. Feed, vetting, medication, rent, transport, fruit & veg, maintenance – the list could go on and on and it soon becomes a hefty monthly outgoing! With your help and support the more animals can be rescued from abuse, neglect and slaughter and live the rest of their lives in peace.