Animal Charity Offers to Fund Rehoming of 51 Jersey Cows as Island Debate Intensifies

An animal welfare charity has offered to help fund the rehoming of 51 Jersey cows from the historic Blanc Pignon Dairy Farm, as controversy continues to grow over the future of the herd.

Animal Justice Project (AJP) says it is willing to fund the entire cost of transporting and settling the cows at an animal sanctuary in the UK, following confirmation that the 80-year-old dairy farm is due to close.

Campaigners have secured sanctuary placement for the entire herd at Hillside Animal Sanctuary in Norfolk. More than £7,000 has already been raised, with further fundraising under way.

Island Divided

The proposal has sparked strong and often polarised reactions across the island. More than 12,000 people have signed a petition calling for the cows to be sent to sanctuary, but opinion remains sharply divided within Jersey’s farming community and among residents.

Some have criticised the plan, arguing the cows would be better off remaining within the dairy industry.

“They would be far better going to a dairy farm, where farmers know how to look after them properly. Not some silly do-gooders,” one resident commented.

Others have voiced support for retirement at sanctuary.

“They get to live their little lives in peace — isn’t that a good thing? Who cares about blood lines,” said another.

Questions have also been raised about why the cows cannot remain on the island, with one resident asking: “Why can’t they stay on the island? This is supposed to be our iconic breed?”

Another responded simply: “It is a very small island.”

A further comment added: “Hopefully they will be sent to the sanctuary to live out their lives, rather than another farm to be exploited and then slaughtered by the time they are six.”

Limited On-Island Options

Jersey has just 12 dairy farms operating across an island measuring nine miles by five. Around 4,500 Jersey cows are kept in total, with approximately 2,500 in milk at any one time, calving year-round to supply the farmer-owned co-operative Jersey Dairy.

Campaigners argue that the island’s limited capacity makes rehoming such a large herd locally difficult, and that sanctuary relocation is both a practical and ethical alternative.

Scrutiny of Dairy Practices

AJP says the debate has also drawn attention to wider issues within Jersey’s dairy system. A Freedom of Information request published in 2025 showed that around 1,500 calves were slaughtered on Jersey farms in 2024, which campaigners describe as a by-product of milk production.

The same data indicated that the average slaughter age of dairy cows on the island was 5.5 years, despite cows having a natural lifespan of up to 25 years.

Campaigners say that although Jersey promotes high welfare standards and Red Tractor certification, UK undercover investigations demonstrate that such schemes do not guarantee humane treatment.

Sanctuary Offer Confirmed

Animal Justice Project, supported by actor and animal welfare campaigner Peter Egan, has confirmed that Hillside Animal Sanctuary is prepared to take all 51 cows and provide them with lifelong care.

The development follows confirmation that Blanc Pignon Dairy Farm will close after eight decades in operation.

Farm Director Alice Le Cras has indicated the cows may instead be rehomed to other dairies, which would see them remain within the production system.

Speaking to the BBC, Ms Le Cras said:

“Dairy cows are also very hard working and, you know, farmers love their animals – you want to have the best facilities.”

Campaigners are urging the farm to demonstrate that care by allowing the cows to retire.

Celebrity Backing

Peter Egan, known for roles including Downton Abbey, welcomed the sanctuary offer.

“I am delighted that Hillside Animal Sanctuary has offered lifelong sanctuary to these cows,” he said.

“It will be an immense relief for them to leave behind the hardships and inherent cruelty of dairy farming. To know they could live out their days in peace, cared for and free from harm, is truly heartening.”

‘A Forever Home’

Wendy Valentine, founder of Hillside Animal Sanctuary, said the organisation was ready to receive the herd.

“Hillside Animal Sanctuary would gladly offer a home to these beautiful Jersey cows where they will be able to live out their natural lives,” she said.

“Please make the compassionate choice.”

Hillside already provides lifelong care to more than 750 rescued cows and has previously rehomed large herds, including 73 cows surrendered by a farmer in 2017.

Call for Compassion

Ayrton Cooper, Campaigns Director at Animal Justice Project, said the situation highlighted a broader shift within agriculture.

“With farmers leaving this tough industry, the cows deserve the chance to leave it too,” he said.

“After years of being milked, they deserve the opportunity to live life on their own terms. We are willing to help fund their freedom — now we need the farmer to say yes.”

Animal Justice Project is continuing to fundraise and is urging the public to support its petition. Campaigners warn that without intervention, the cows could be redistributed within the dairy industry and ultimately sent for slaughter.