Lily’s Place Animal Sanctuary is growing—thanks to the incredible generosity of the Eric S. Margolis Foundation, we’re moving forward with a critical infrastructure project that will expand our ability to respond to urgent animal welfare cases in New Brunswick.


2025 Pasture
Fencing Project

Funded by the Eric S. Margolis Foundation
In 2024, we were contacted by the NB SPCA with an urgent request to take in four goats seized during a neglect investigation. Many animals from that case did not survive. The goats who came to us were severely underweight, in pain, and battling extreme parasitic infections. We weren't sure if they would make it.

But today, they’re thriving.

Their recovery has been nothing short of remarkable—and it made one thing clear: we need dedicated space to continue answering these urgent calls.

When law enforcement or the SPCA seizes farmed animals in New Brunswick, there are few—if any—places for them to go. Lily’s Place is one of the only sanctuaries in the province equipped and willing to help.

But to do so safely, we need secure quarantine areas and expanded pasture to keep new arrivals separate from our existing residents.

Why This Matters

kate 2024

merlin 2024

mel 2024

merlin 2024

beatrice 2024

beatrice 2024

mel 2024

The need for this fencing project became undeniable the day Merlin, Mel, Beatrice, and Kate arrived.

These four goats were seized by the NB SPCA from a case of severe neglect. When they came to us, they were in critical condition—emaciated, carrying heavy parasite loads, and bearing the long-term effects of untreated injuries and illnesses. Their hooves were overgrown, their bodies exhausted, and their spirits shut down from prolonged suffering.

  • Merlin arrived nearly starved, with untreated arthritis, overgrown fungus-ridden hooves, lice, and a heavy parasite burden. Emotionally shut down, he barely acknowledged the world around him. But after months of healing, his spark has returned. Merlin now seeks affection, explores curiously, and continues to build trust with people—a transformation that reminds us how resilient animals can be when given safety and care.

  • Mel, Merlin's closest companion, is a brave, vocal goat who came to us in pain with rotten hooves, lice, and severe malnourishment. These days, Mel loves sunbathing, browsing for leaves, and spending time near Merlin. If one of the goats says hello to you, it will 9 times out of 10 be Mel!

  • Beatrice (aka Bea) was withdrawn and severely underweight when she arrived. A year later, she’s blossoming—still shy, but calm, curious, and observant. Bea has faced multiple ongoing health challenges, including a hernia and cracked horn due to past neglect. Her story is a reminder that healing often requires time, safety, and a place to fully relax and rest. She's become good friends with Milhouse and the two can be seen hanging around together and nuzzling noses.

  • Kate, the smallest of the group, is also the boldest. She’s a joyful, high-energy goat who loves climbing, exploring, and leading her herd-mates into new adventures. Though still unsure about human affection, she’s usually the first to try something new and has become a loyal companion to both Bea and Mel.

These four goats are the heart of this project. Their resilience is a daily reminder of what sanctuary truly means—and why having dedicated, secure pasture space is essential for helping the next animals in need.

Meet Merlin, Mel, Beatrice, and Kate

This expansion project will create additional acres of new, secure pasture, designed to meet the needs of both current residents and future rescues. It includes:

  • Safe, durable fencing installed by professionals

  • Multiple pasture areas to support quarantine protocols, mobility accommodations, and herd groupings

  • Improved infrastructure to help us respond quickly when animals need urgent intake and care

This project is a long-term investment in the safety, health, and wellbeing of the animals who call Lily’s Place home—and those still waiting for rescue.

What This Project Includes

This is our largest infrastructure project to date—and we couldn’t do it without the generous support of the Eric S. Margolis Foundation, who fully funded this initiative. Their compassion for animals has directly empowered us to say yes the next time an animal urgently needs refuge.

We’re honoured to carry out this work on their behalf and will be sharing progress across our channels every step of the way.

Empowering Urgent Rescue Work

June 2025 – Planning and prep is underway! Our fencing company has completed a site walk-through, and we’re finalizing layout plans with minimal disruption to wildlife and making the right long-term choices for the residents (current and future) of Lily's Place.

Project Updates

We’ll be documenting this project on social media and via our newsletter. Follow us for behind-the-scenes updates and stories from the goats who inspired it all.

Where to follow:

  • Patreon - for a first look at project updates plus bonus behind-the-scenes content.
  • Newsletter - for a (nearly) monthly update about biggest news from the sanctuary (including major updates on our fencing project)
  • Facebook & Instagram - for short, fairly frequent updates

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