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Bess
Bess was born at an organic farm that kept pure bred mangalitsas. The farmer did not want Bess because she and her siblings, Little Bean and Teddy, were cross-bred, so the farmer did not want them near his other stock for fear that they would contaminate the blood line. The farmer’s children were going to keep the piglets as pets but then changed their mind. So Bess and her family arrived to us completely infested with mites. It was pretty horrific. The organic farmer’s ethos was that he did not either treat or feed his pigs. He just let them into the forest to fend for themselves. If they became…
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Anikin
Anikin is the son of George. He is a full male; he has not been castrated and neither has his father. He was originally kept by people to mow their law. Sadly, as is so often the case, people change their minds so they were relinquished to the sanctuary so that they had the chance of a home with someone who was prepared to let them live out their lives naturally. You have our deepest gratitude for choosing to support our sanctuary and helping us to care for our precious residents. Thank you for being one of ‘the best people’!
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Lilly
Lilly arrived at Easter 2018. A spring lamb, she was destined to be killed and eaten – a quickly forgotten meal would have cost her one precious life. She was released to us because she had a broken leg and was, therefore, unlikely to survive without care and treatment which the farmer was not willing to give. Upon her arrival at the sanctuary her leg was treated and placed in a cast and she was given medication for early onset pneumonia. She can now look forward to the kindness and gentle loving care that she deserves. You have our deepest gratitude for choosing to support our sanctuary and helping us…
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The Gobby Geese
Contrary to common misconceptions, most geese are friendly creatures. They are highly social birds and if they are raised around other animals, they usually get along well with them. Not only will they form lifelong bonds with their feathered partners, but they can be equally dedicated to human carers. They will naturally bond with the person who feeds them as a chick and remain dedicated to that person as their surrogate “parent” throughout their lives. Geese can live up to twenty years if well cared for. The geese living here at the sanctuary were saved from slaughter. You have our deepest gratitude for choosing to support our sanctuary and helping…
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Charles
Charles the pig is the biggest child from the litter of Belle and Sebastian. He was born at the sanctuary because we saved Belle when she was pregnant and she had her babies here. Charles is incredibly shy but he is very food orientated, so he is usually left to himself. If he had not found a home here at the sanctuary he would have been a back yard slaughter for the roasting spit. You have our deepest gratitude for choosing to support our sanctuary and helping us to care for our precious residents. Thank you for being one of ‘the best people’!
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Rupert
Rupert came from a jersey dairy farmer, the unwanted product of the milk industry. He was found in a barn, along with Richard, both with the nanny cow. Her role is to breast feed whoever pops out whilst the farmer decides who he will keep. She does not go outside for the whole season. Rupert was not wanted because he was the wrong colour. Rupert is very kind, loving and gentle. He will do anything for a cuddle. You have our deepest gratitude for choosing to support our sanctuary and helping us to care for our precious residents. Thank you for being one of ‘the best people’!
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Richard
Richard came from a jersey dairy farmer, the unwanted product of the milk industry. He was found in a barn, along with Rupert, both with the nanny cow. Her role is to breast feed whoever pops out whilst the farmer decides who he will keep. She does not go outside for the whole season. Richard was not wanted because he was a male. Richard AKA Dick will knock things over, get in the way, stand in the wrong place at the wrong time, and look as if he does not understand, but we are sure he plans it. If there is something he should not eat he will eat it,…
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Hagrid
Hagrid came to the Big V Sanctuary after Miranda volunteered in a Romanian refuge. Conditions there were extremely unpleasant. The eighty dogs in the shelter lived in tiny broken kennels and were fed two handfuls of food once a day. Miranda rescued Hagrid and also Raiph, and Sorrel who has now been rehomed. You have our deepest gratitude for choosing to support our sanctuary and helping us to care for our precious residents. Thank you for being one of ‘the best people’!
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Little Bean
Little Bean is a cross-breed stripey Hungarian Mangalitsa; she is the sister of Teddy and Bess. The farmer did not want Little Bean and her litter mates, as they were cross-bred, so he did not want him near his other stock for fear that they would contaminate the blood line. The farmer’s children were going to keep the piglets as pets but then changed their mind. Little Bean came to us from an organic farm with four siblings, two of which have now been placed in other loving forever homes. She arrived at the Big V sanctuary with untreated abscesses on one of her rear legs and could hardly walk.…
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Azra
Azra is one of our many rescued dogs. She was a police dog in Serbia who, after seven years of service, was thrown onto the streets to fend for herself. She was taken in by two subsequent ‘owners’ only to be thrown out on the streets again. Life on the streets and abuse resulted in a number of injuries including dislodged teeth and problems with her mouth for which she has received treatment. She likes to take life easy these days and quietly accepts the attention of Blake, our young rescued pigeon. Azra has recently had major surgery and is recovering at Big V, under the watchful eye of Wynnie…
