Hotdog

💛 People see the cute photos… the happy endings… the funny caricatures. But they don’t always see this — the relentless, beautiful, exhausting reality behind Hearts Animal Sanctuary. A Day in the Life at Hearts Animal Sanctuary Today’s story isn’t about one animal. It’s about the rhythm of rescue. The routine that never stops. The life behind the love. Our day starts between 7 and 8am. Before most people have had their first coffee, Drago is already on his first walk of the day. Then it’s Bell. While Derek is out walking, I let the other dogs into the garden so they can do their business. Then the feeding begins. Pups first. Then the dogs. Then checking every single water bucket in every stable. The hard feed for the horses has been soaking for 12 hours — sugar beet, horse mix, alfalfa pellets, Pavo — all carefully measured, all mixed with water. Every bowl matters. Every animal matters. While they eat… we grab a quick coffee. Then it’s hay for the horses and Paco the donkey. Feed the chickens. Feed the ducks. Feed the turkeys. Feed the pigeons. Feed the goats. And do the morning egg hunt Rugs come off as the morning warms. Another coffee — because honestly, we need it. Then it’s mucking out the horses and the donkey. Heavy, physical, relentless work. By the time that’s done, it’s already time for the second hay feed. Waters checked again. Dogs’ bowls checked again. A quick snack for us — if we remember. Around 5pm, more hay. Stables checked again. Any fresh mess removed. Karl starts dinner for us while Derek brushes the horses. Because even after everything, they still deserve that quiet time of care. Around 6pm the chickens, Ducks turkeys budgies and pigeons get there final meal of the day and another check in the hen area (we call it Henery) for eggs At 7pm, rugs go back on. Hay topped up. At 9pm, another hard feed — same careful preparation as the morning. At 10pm, the final hay of the day to last through the night. Then Drago goes for his final walk around 11pm — one of five or six he gets daily. Bell gets hers too, along with her last meal. The pups have already had their final feed. Cats checked — food, water, litter trays cleaned. Ferrets cleaned morning and night. More food. More water. And finally… somewhere between 11:30pm and midnight… Bed. Then we wake up and do it all again. --- This is rescue. It isn’t glamorous. It isn’t a hobby. It isn’t “just feeding a few animals.” It’s 16–17 hour days. It’s physical labour. It’s planning. It’s money. It’s love in its most practical form. And we do it because once an animal comes here… they are safe. But we can’t do it alone. Food. Hay. Vet bills. Medication. Bedding. Farrier visits. Repairs. It never stops — just like the routine doesn’t stop. If you’ve ever wondered where your donations go… They go into every bucket of feed. Every bale of hay. Every clean stable. Every warm rug at night. Please help us keep going. Please help us keep doing this tomorrow… and the next day… and the next. Because rescue doesn’t clock off at 5pm. It lives here. Every single day. 💛