A sheep rescued by a West Sussex sanctuary is thriving after being fitted with her very own wheelchair.
Hope, a Wiltshire horn sheep, was taken in by Lotus Lamb & Sheep Sanctuary in March after being found in critical condition and unable to stand. The sanctuary, based in Henfield, specializes in rehabilitating animals rescued from severe neglect and abuse.
Since her arrival, Hope has received intensive treatment and was recently fitted with a custom mobility aid — and she’s been making the most of it.
“She’s amazing in the wheels and doing really, really well,” said Hayley Hubbard, founder of the sanctuary. “She literally runs around the field — it’s hilarious.”
When Hope first arrived, staff were unsure how she would respond to care. Like many sheep, she wasn’t accustomed to human handling or medical procedures. But to everyone’s surprise, she took it all in stride.
“She’s been so tolerant of everything — the injections, blood tests, physical exams,” Hubbard said. “And she’s incredibly trusting.”
“Sheep are very much like that,” she added. “They want to be loved.”
Thanks to widespread support, the sanctuary surpassed its £800 fundraising goal to cover the cost of Hope’s wheelchair. They’re now continuing to raise funds to help with ongoing vet bills.
“It was just incredible that we got the funding through everyone’s support,” Hubbard said.