In a remarkable turn of events, a married couple deeply committed to animal welfare, Roy and Annie Marriott, have chosen to live separately to facilitate the expansion of their charity, **Animals in Need**. Based in Northamptonshire, the sanctuary has seen significant growth, necessitating a split in their living arrangements to better care for the numerous animals under their stewardship.
Recently, Animals in Need was granted access to an additional **23 acres (approximately nine hectares)** of land located in Hollowell, a village near Wellingborough, which has allowed the charity to expand its operations. The decision to accept this new land was influenced by the urgent need for more grazing space, as *Pine Tree Farm*, the original site of the sanctuary, was limited to just three acres. This expansion has enabled the Marriotts to relocate their animals, including sheep, goats, pigs, and ponies, to the new premises, providing them with a significantly better living environment.
Roy, the sanctuary’s founder, has decided to stay at the original site, Pine Tree Farm, while Annie is now based at the new location in Hollowell. The couple mentioned the emotional toll this separation has taken on both their relationship and their day-to-day operations. Annie reflected on their efforts to find a viable solution, stating, “We racked our brains to find a way forward. We couldn’t find one. We still see each other every day because of work, but we’re just not living together.”
Founded in **1990**, Animals in Need has grown to care for more than **1,000 animals** at any given time, revealing the charity’s remarkable success. Roy expressed surprise at the scale of their operations, saying, “I didn’t expect it to get this big, but we’ve been very successful.” However, the level of success has not come without significant costs, particularly in terms of their personal relationship.
Each day, as they manage the welfare of the animals, their interactions have remained professional. They are, after all, custodians of the animals’ wellbeing, and both are passionate about their responsibilities. Despite the separation, Annie remains hopeful about reuniting with her husband in a more cohesive arrangement in the future, expressing, “Yes, I hope so at some point… he’s worked voluntarily for Animals in Need for 35 years… I think he should step back and try to put his feet up a bit.”
In their journey, they have encountered challenges that arise from expanding their operations. Emma Townsend, the charity’s assistant manager, described the transition as stressful yet rewarding. “It will all be worth it to see the animals happy and on a lot of grazing, it will be amazing,” she remarked. The couple is grateful for the kind contributions that have allowed them to utilize the new land, enabling them to dedicate more care and resources to the animals.
The unexpected growth of their shelter facilities has prompted clear statements from both Roy and Annie regarding potential future expansions. “We could put another 50 kennels up and they’d be filled tomorrow,” Roy admitted. Their commitment to animal welfare has led them to acknowledge the necessity of scalable solutions to meet the ever-growing demand.
As both Roy and Annie continue to navigate these significant changes, they remain united in their shared goal of providing high-quality care for their animal residents. The successful expansion of their charity stands as a testament to their love for the creatures in need, reflecting both their professional dedication and the personal sacrifices they have encountered along the way. With their separate living situations, they hope to not only enhance the lives of the animals in their care but perhaps eventually restore their own relationship to a more supportive and shared existence.