Five minutes with… Siobhan Fox of Foxglove Farm and Sanctuary
Despite living with constant pain, Siobhan Fox dedicates her life to caring for the animals on her small-holding and rescuing those in need – Foxglove Farm and Sanctuary. In turn, this work is her therapy and greatest joy. We put a few questions to her to find out more about her day to day:
Why did you choose animal rescue as a career/business?
Before I took ill I worked as a dental nurse and I rescued horses from the slaughter house but, unfortunately, I was no longer physically fit to do so. Once I got my own place I still wanted to rescue animals and help give them love and a home.
What are you most proud of in your career to date?
It gives me great pride that I’m able to give my animals a good life. “Rescuing one hen will not change the world, but to that one hen you changed its world”.
What is your favourite thing about your job?
Being around my animals has given me a peace that I have never felt before. It’s good for my soul and my mental health. In five years I would like to be living off the land.
What has been the biggest challenge in your job?
I think it’s my own physical and mental health. Some days I am unable to think of anything else but the pain, however, I have a responsibility to my animals. Obviously, there is the financial impact as it’s just me here. Winter time can be challenging but it works out somehow.
What is the most helpful advice that you have been given?
Not only do I rescue but I am very passionate about making this place better for me and the wildlife. “Leave the world in a better state than you found it” and “Put more into the land than you take”.
If you could choose anything else to do, what would it be?
I wouldn’t change a thing. I love where I am in life and I think that is a massive gift. I would like to see more education in schools surrounding nature, where our food comes from and that includes animal welfare. I think we are so disconnected from everything Mother Nature does how can we save the planet if we don’t look up from our mobile phones.
What do you think your best quality is?
I would say compassionate and kind of heart. I enjoy reading about the old ways of doing things and have a great interest in it
Name three things that you like doing outside of work..
My life really revolves around my small holding and making it better for the next generation. On a nice day there is nothing better than sitting beside a pig and them getting belly rubs or brushed. Its so therapeutic and calming. I’m a massive book worm. I would read anything from history, old farming skills and remedies to fantasy.
Tell us about a secret skill that we don’t know you have.
I wouldn’t call it a skill but I have an amazing respect for life and Mother Nature. An understanding how everything interconnects, things die and things grow.
What is your most prized possession?
What I prize most is being able to watch and enjoy my animals, so my health. I’m also pretty proud of the amount of trees I’ve planted especially the fruit trees. Still waiting for a piglet to take a lump out of it!
What is your favourite food?
Eggs from Mother goose and my ducks but Irish stew has to be my go to one pot wonder in winter time.
What is your favourite book?
Anything written by Darren Shan an Irish author. On practical terms a self sufficiency book by John Seymour.
What are you currently watching?
Currently I’m in the middle of box set called Hannibal, amazing!
If you were to watch a band/singer live, who would it be?
It would have to be Lady Gaga in Vegas then take in a Conor McGregor fight!
Dead or alive, who would you most want to meet and why?
On my bucket list is to see Graceland so it would have to be Elvis. He seemed to do everything for his friends and family and I think that for someone to have reached the height of fame he did but remained humble, a lot of people could learn from it.
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