Become
Someone's Hero

Gus Gus was the very first new born lamb brought to Hakuna Matata. He was found, still covered in his amniotic fluid after just being born and he needed around the clock care for several months!

He formed a very close bond with 3 other unwanted orphan lambs brought to the sanctuary, all growing up together like brother and sisters.

The 4 remain a close unit despite being integrated into the main flock at the sanctuary and can always be found closely grazing or napping together.

Gus Gus also has a very close bond with his Mummy Hayley (founder of Hakuna Matata Animal Trust) who bottle fed him and looked after him when he first arrived.

Little Blue is a tabby cat who was brought into us as an abandoned pet cat, left outside to fend for himself for months.

When Little Blue arrived he was very underweight, had lost a lot of his fur and was covered in skin lesions.

After a health care check by our vet and several tests it was determined that Little Blue has a condition called colitis.

After getting this gorgeous boy on the right food he started gaining weight and getting his beautiful coat back, and now Little Blue is living his best life as a barn cat, with his own little bedroom set up in the barn with a cosy bed and scratch posts.

Little Blue can often be found napping in the hay and is always about to greet people as they arrive at the sanctuary with a warm welcome.

After working out his approximate age he has been given his special birth date of 14th of January 2016.

Mustard is the very first rescue animal at the sanctuary and a much-loved ambassador for the sanctuary and its mission.

After his owner could no longer keep him, Mustard was facing an uncertain future. During his journey to the sanctuary, he and his brother endured terrible conditions in extreme heat. Tragically, his brother did not survive, and Mustard himself fought for his life.

Thanks to Hayley's unwavering dedication and care, he pulled through and was given the second chance he deserved.

Mikey came to the sanctuary with his mum Pumpkin as feral cats.

The pair were very timid to start with, Mikey in particular! But over time Mikey and his mum have become very affectionate, friendly cats who choose to stay on site and enjoy following volunteers around the grounds.

He's an affectionate boy who purrs with happiness during fusses, especially if food

Pumpkin is a ginger cat.

She came to us with her son Mikey as feral cats.

The two started off very timid but over time have got used to human company and have become very tame and affectionate.

Pumpkin loves to follow people around the grounds and will bob in front of people to get a fuss.

Pumpkin has been given the special birthday of the 6th of July 2017.

Cloud is a Texel x sheep.

She is one of 15 sheep that came here together from a very bad abuse and neglect case up North.

Cloud has become a real character at Hakuna Matata.

Her nickname is Twinkle toes because of the way she trots up to greet people.

She is always one of the first to come and say hello and is always one of the first to come running down for hay!

Cloud has been given the special birthday of the 10th of April 2023.

Herbie is a continental giant rabbit and the only rabbit on site who is a permanent resident at the sanctuary and not up for rehoming.

He's been with us almost from the very start and was brought to us by a lady who could no longer keep him due to personal circumstances, to which we agreed we would keep him here where she could visit any time she wanted to.

Herbie is a very much loved boy at the sanctuary, he is very affectionate and loves everyone's company!

Nora came to us from a working farm where she was used for having babies and for showing.

After getting mastitis she was no longer of any use to the farmer and was going to be sent for slaughter, but luckily she was allowed to come and live at the sanctuary instead.

Nora is a gentle soul, you can see the pain of her past in her eyes and the appreciation of being somewhere she is loved so much!

Dotty is a Mule sheep.

She came with 14 other sheep from a severe abuse and neglect case up North.

Dotty is one of the most affectionate and loving beings you'll ever meet.

She will follow you around the grounds and wait beside you for cuddles.

It's hard to believe how gentle and kind she is with the background she came from, but she knows she is safe with us now!

Dotty has been given the special birthday of the 10th of May 2023.

Charlie is a black and white tuxedo cat.

He has come to us all the way from Lancashire, where he was initially taken in from being feral by a cat foster lady.

Unfortunately because of some of Charlie's health problems nowhere local to the foster lady could take him in on a more permanent basis and we were the only rescue with space.

Charlie now lives on site where he has got so much healthier, enjoys bathing in the sunshine and following us and the other cats around the grounds.

Charlie has become one of the most affectionate cats you could ever meet and absolutely loves his new life here with us!.

Charlie has been given the special birthday of the 18th of July 2020.

Burt is a Mule sheep.

He is one of the 15 sheep that arrived here at the sanctuary from a severe abuse and neglect case up North.

Burt has one of the most loving personalities, always wanting cuddles and affection.

He can often be found with his brothers Arnie and Bruce.

Watching how he and his friends have come so far since their arrival here has been such an emotional and heartwarming experience.

When they first arrived they all wanted to be as far away from mankind as possible and now a majority of them are so trusting and loving now that they have learnt what love and kindness are and the way they should have been treated all along!

Burt has been given the special birthday of the 15th of April 2023.

Father of the other two Alpaca's we have.

George is the bravest and most inquisitive out the three.

He is cheeky and has a real fun character.

His special birthday is the 8th of August 2003.

Oona is a Shetland sheep.

She came to the sanctuary with her 3 sisters; Rosey, Tallulah and Nellie.

These beautiful girls were seen as no longer being of any use at their farm due to having bad foot conditions.

Thankfully we were able to rectify the damage that had been done and the 4 girls have been living happily at the sanctuary.

Whilst Tallulah and Rosey are still quite young, Oona and Nellie came to us as older girls and sadly we recently lost Nellie, our oldest of the girls.

Oona is quite shy at first but when she learns to trust you she loves having a neck rub and will wag her tail with excitement!.

Oona has been given the special birthday of the 10th of June 2016.

Meet Pip the Pecker!

Self-appointed sanctuary guard dog, this silky cockerel is the devoted protector of his ladies.

Rescued as a young cockerel after being mistaken for a hen, Pip now spends his days proudly patrolling the sanctuary and showing off his hilarious little flamenco dance to impress the girls.

Willow is a mule sheep.

She came to us as an unwanted orphan lamb from a farm in Devon, along with Daisy and Primrose.

The 3 soon became good friends with Gus Gus and the 4 formed a strong friendship. Willow is a very quiet, affectionate sheep who never strays far from her 3 closest friends and loves attention.

Willow was given her special birthday of the 12th of February 2024.

JC came to us from a local dairy farm with his father and sister.

JC is a cheeky boy, with no table manners, always spitting at his dad and sister at meal times.

But he's a very loveable character.

By becoming JC's Hero, you'll be helping to provide him with nutritious food, veterinary care, and the safe, loving forever home he deserves at Hakuna Matata Sanctuary.

Date of birth: 07/05/2007