Our Animals - Introduction

We have about 100 animals here. Our flock of sheep are a mishmash of breeds, as are our cows, pigs and goats - in fact, the same could be said for all of our animals.

What type they are and the financial value placed upon them is immaterial to us. This is a rule that goes across the board, applied to each and every individual life that resides on the sanctuary. We make no attempts to prioritise or discriminate.

As with all of our animals their worth doesn’t depend on how rare, clever or beautiful they may be considered. In fact, as so often is the case in this world, our animals are often considered unworthy. The weak, the sick and the imperfect.

Their value, we believe, is in the right to, quite simply, be themselves and exist in the happiness of that.

The animals at F.R.I.E.N.D. are afforded as natural a life as we can offer, given that we live in the heart of the Kent countryside, and they are permitted to run freely and communally over the 10 acre site. Those that choose not to approach us are neither encouraged or dissuaded (with the few exceptions, such as veterinary treatment, etc.) and this seems to work, in most cases, in a stress-free lifestyle. Generally, they observe that nobody else is afraid of us and soon begin to make tentative approaches upon which we can work. Many of these animals are damaged and their only encounters with mankind in the past have re-enforced their belief that man = pain.

The sanctuary started in the early 90’s on a site that once was a productive apple orchard. We suffered severe losses to the trees in the storm of 87 yet it was evolution in progress and the fallen trees left a wonderfully, natural habitat for wild animals and insects. In those days people wanted uniformity and productivity and it was a question of fighting your corner for a wilderness. Today, one would be applauded for creating a natural and, oh so rare, habitat for the conservation of native British species.

And so the sanctuary was begun and so it goes on. Without the goodwill of our supporters it is, sadly, a self limiting exercise. Our animals are safe, of that you can be sure. They are, however, just a drop in the ocean, ambassadors for their kind and this is just a place that you can come to visit. Come to be with them in peace and see them living in peace together. Interesting, don’t you think, that those described as just dumb animals seem to be able to achieve what we, the higher species, seem to fail so miserably at?

The animals at F.R.I.E.N.D. are always rescued. To rescue is to save from danger, fear, pain and suffering. What could be more dangerous, fearful and pain-filled as to suffer the prospect and then reality of death. People’s perceptions of what is acceptable and realistic is startling in its naivety.

SOME OF THE QUESTIONS WE GET ASKED...

...AND THE RESPONSES!