MEET THE ANIMALS
Resident spotlights…
At FRIEND all of the animals live with us for their entire lives. We are dedicated to giving all of our residents the practical and emotional care they deserve. Here are just some of the amazing animals that call FRIEND their home.
We decided rather than talk about everyone who lives here which is around 160 animals, we’d create resident spotlights to highlight certain residents for you to get a feel for who lives here and learn a little more about their stories.
Everyone here is unique and deserving of attention so we will highlight different residents regularly
If you would like to there’s the option to become a friend and sponsor any of our animals here it really does make a huge difference to their lives just click the big button and it’ll take you to a monthly donation page.
RESIDENT SPOTLIGHT ….
THE ELDERS
At FRIEND we have the absolute honour to be home to a large number of residents who have spent their lives in freedom here at the Sanctuary. They are all now reaching the twilight of their lives and are requiring that extra TLC and medical care. Being their friend is a special honour as your contribution will go towards their medical care or special diet etc.
Meet the Animals…
THE PIGS… ( well just a few- as we have many more actually living here!)
PAUL - elder
Paul is named after Paul Newman a superstar actor in the 1970’s. Our Paul is a Superstar in his own right. He is 11 years old and as Mark says the “Naughtiest and smartest pig ever!” It is his intelligence and sentience that makes him so good at being naughty. He opens the door of the van to climb inside where all the straw is stored and shuts the door behind him, to give everyone a big shock in the morning, unlatches gates whenever he feels like it and generally does his own thing. He is of course the Boss of the big pigs.
MUNGO- elder
Mungo is the gentle giant of the gang. He is so incredibly sensitive he lives in his own area with some little pigs. The big pig gang were just too boisterous for this gentle soul.
He lived with Lottie for a long while until she moved into the medical area recently. He is clumsy and often would stand on her whilst he was settling down for the night, they still talk to each other as she’s only moved across the yard. He is a real sweetheart. He is getting older now and slowing down a little. being his friend sponsor is about supporting him to have the best care into his old age.
Millie - Elder
Our Millie is truly one of a kind. Grande Dame of the little pig family, respected and loved by everyone. She was often found leading the youngsters astray, off down the footpath on adventures. Now she’s entering the twilight of her days she needs that little extra support. Being her friend is a very special role.
walter - elder
Walter is the boss! Every morning he comes up mouth open as we’re filling up the water bowls, he loves to drink directly from the hose. He gets the freshest water that way, clever boy! He is always first when there are snacks too. He definitely knows what he wants and how to get it with total cuteness. Walter is one of our elders, he has lost teeth and is ow being hand fed with softer food that he is able to digest. Being his FRIEND is for his continuing health during his twilight years.
PEGGY SUE
Here’s one of our younger girls Peggy Sue she lives with her sister Dotty Tutu. They are inseparable and truly a force of nature.
Peggy Sue is the dominant one and always first to the tasty treats. She protects Dotty, whose a little shy and is very affectionate and outgoing.
These Sisters were rescued from slaughter and instead of being a meal they get to live their lives together in peace. They are our youngest big pigs and they’re full of energy. Being their friend sponsor is to help us develop their area and provide long term care for them.
DOTTY TUTU
Dotty Tutu is Peggy Sue’s sister, of the two she is the quieter one. She holds back and lets her sister explore first to see if it’s safe.
She absolutely loves belly rubs and once she trusts you she can lay there for ages just soaking up the love. They sleep together every night and are a loving pair. We are loving finding out about them as their personalities emerge. They are both a force to be reckoned with. Being Dotty’s FRIEND sponsor is, as with Peggy, to provide life long care for them.
ROCKY aka ROCKETMAN
Meet our newest piglet little Rocket. He is the sweetest boy, full of energy and excitement well named as he loves to zoom about. He’s a little on the wild side too, being an Iron Age pig which means he is basically part wild boar. When he was tiny he had gorgeous stripes which have now faded to reveal his naturally darker coat.
He has found himself a family with the little pig gang and isn’t frightened of anyone, he stood up to them all to gain his place. He’s strong and determined, whenever everyone is huddled together sleeping, as they all love to do, little Rocky jumps right in on top for a snuggle.
We are so happy that he found his way home to FRIEND. Sponsoring Rocket will support his future care here. This will be is home for his entire life
THE COWS… We have herd of cows that were all 22 years old in December 2022.
Plus two very lively youngsters …
Little Stevie - elder
Little Stevie is one of our oldest and smallest cows, she and her brothers and sisters are all 21 years old. They all came here as young calves and have lived their best life free from harm together as a family. She has recently adopted Skye and is a wonderfully loving mum. She is gentle and full of energy. A true miracle that she is here with us when outside of Sanctuary she would have been killed many years ago for a meal. She has the most beautiful , deep eyes. She’s a very kind elder. Being Stevie’s FRIEND is a special role supporting her in her old age.
skye
Skye is boisterous, full of energy with big, beautiful eyes. She loves to play, she thinks she’s a tiny calf rather than a very fast growing teenager! She lives with the elder cows and her bestie Willow. As she matures we are seeing the sweetness of her nature develop more and more. People often think she’s a bull, due to her beautiful horns but many cows are born with horns that are removed early on to make milking and handling easier. Thankfully Skye did not suffer that and she is perfectly herself, living her very best life here at FRIEND.
Willow
Beautiful Willow our youngest cow narrowly escaped the slaughterhouse twice. Her freedom was negotiated by a neighbour of the farmer and her new life free from threat of harm began here at FRIEND. She's very gentle and a real sweetie .
THE GOATS….
THE GOAT MAIDENS
Our lovely Goat Maidens are Hella, Astrid, Amma and Freya. All saved from the milk industry arrived together just after Spring Equinox full of magic, mischief and wonder. They all love to explore absolutely everywhere and everything! They are a real handful and we love them dearly
Terri & Pashley
Beautiful mother and kid, an inseperable and devoted pair. Terri is shyer and quieter, where as Pashley is braver and more outgoing, having lived most of her life free. They love to be by themselves
The sheep family.
Jeremey aka Jezzy the lamb
Jezzy, came to us as an emergency he was a baby lamb : severely hypothermic, starving with an infection in his navel. He received weeks of 24/7 intensive TLC here at FRIEND and so far so good, he’s stronger every single day. We know though that his immune system may be compromised so we are keeping a very close eye on him still. But we are hopeful and know that every day with him is a miracle. Despite everything he is so full of bounce and has the cutest smile. Sponsoring Jezzy will go towards his life long care .
SANCHEZ’s family - elders
Sanchez arrived as a baby lamb and has spent his entire life safe from harm. He is always the first to come and say hello, he loves strokes and apples.
Because he’s so friendly everyone remembers him, he is trusting and loving. Being is friend goes towards developing old age care for him and his family. He and his family are all coming into their twilight years as with many of our residents we need to be prepared for more intensive care moving forward.
The Birds…
TOMEK - elder
Tomek is a truly magnificent Turkey. He is always strutting about, puffed up and looking his absolute best! He is a real character, he hangs out with the chickens and loves showing off 24/7.
Tomek was bred to be slaughtered as a baby. As he grows his genetics are pushing him towards overeating, this is potentially a big problem. We are very conscious of this and want to build him a special area where we can maintain a planned diet plan whilst allowing him lots of exercise and friendships with the other birds whom he loves. Being his friend would go towards this project and his on going special care.
REGGIE
Reggie arrived at FRIEND as a baby they are a fierce defender of their family but gentle enough to allow visitors to stroke their feathers and feed them treats. Reggie lives with Susan and both are real characters.
CARLOTTA
This is Carlotta the Magnificent Goose. She came to FRIEND from a lovely older couple who asked for our help as Carlotta wouldn’t stay in her garden and was found wandering all over the local village. Since her arrival we can see that Carlotta does indeed have a strong mind of her own, but that just adds to her magnificence! She has made new friends and is very content here. Sponsoring Carlotta supports her new life here.
CLARA
This is Clara, she came to us after a “free range” egg farmer decided to quit and wanted to rehome all of their hens. Clara came with her sisters all of whom needed extra care but of them all, she was the most in need of intensive care. She was severely underweight, featherless and undernourished. We will continue to give her the very best care, we hope that it will be enough. Her very poor start in life can lead to life long health issues. She is so friendly and we hope that she will pull through as now she really does have a chance at a new life.
Dogs and Cats…
Bella & Boo - elders
Bella arrived with her best friend Boo after being abandoned on a main road at night. They have suffered terribly neglect in their lives, so thank goodness they found us. They arrived with thickly matted coats covered in excrement and dirt. They were so very afraid, its taken a lot of patience and care to get them to where they are today.
It is hard to imagine the life they had before they came to us. We assume that they came from a puppy mill, they are older, its hard to say exactly how old by around 9 years we think, so we believe they were turned out as they were unable to birth pups. Every day we are seeing them develop and trust. There is nothing like the love of an animal that’s been rescued from abuse like these girls endured. On the day they arrived we promised them that they’d never suffer like that again so they are now part of our family, we are their forever home.
Being their FRIEND and sponsor supports their life with us.
Godzilla - elder
Godzilla is just one of our many cats here at FRIEND, but he is a one of a kind ! He adores Mark and loves nothing more than to bump heads affectionately.- all the time ! A handsome boy with lots of love to give. He rules the cats in the main house, there really is only one Godzilla!
Thank you for being a FRIEND !
It really does mean a whole lot to us all to know that we have regular support. We will send you a personalised certificate to say thank you.
