Neil Hannon, founder of the Divine Comedy, and his wife Cathy Davey, a singer-songwriter and co-founder of My Lovely Horse Rescue, moved from Dublin to rural Co Kildare, Ireland, where they unexpectedly became deeply involved in animal rescue. Over the years, Cathy expanded the charity to include My Lovely Pig Rescue, caring for a wide range of animals including horses, pigs, goats, and dogs. Neil adapted to this new rural life, even incorporating animal sounds into his music, and now serves as a patron of the charity.

Their home is shared with four rescue dogs, each with unique backgrounds and personalities, and they follow a gentle, treat-based training approach. The charity’s name comes from Neil’s song “My Lovely Horse” from the sitcom Father Ted, chosen for its humor and memorability despite the challenges of animal rescue work. Neil also wrote a song, “To the Rescue,” dedicated to Cathy’s tireless efforts, expressing both pride and the sacrifices involved in their shared commitment to animal welfare.