Sheep named Hope gets wheelchair to help her walk

By Emily Lamb

A sheep who could barely stand can now run - with the support of a new wheelchair.

Hope was rescued by Hayley Hubbard, 53, who runs Lotus Lamb & Sheep Sanctuary - a center to rehabilitate abused and neglected animals.

The sheep had been severely neglected and could only stand for two minutes before falling over - which would cause her further injuries.

Hayley fundraised $1,000 to get Hope a specially adapted wheelchair so she could stand and run.

Hayley, from Woodmancote, West Sussex, said: “When I first saw her I just kept saying ‘I hope I can fix you’.

"It’s been amazing [Hope getting her wheelchair].

"She’s taken to it so well. She can run.

"She's been on them for a couple of days."

Hayley named the Wiltshire horn sheep Hope after first seeing her.

Having come from a farm, like many of the 170 sheep Hayley cares for, Hope had been severely neglected.

Hayley, with the support of 15 volunteers, provided round-the-clock care for Hope when she first arrived.

Hayley said: "She arrived in such a state, one of the worst cases of neglect and abuse that our vet has ever seen.

"She was severely malnourished and victim to severe dehydration. Her ribs were on show through her skin and unable to even stand.

"Since her arrival,l we have worked around the clock to regain her strength and supply her with food, water and electrolytes. Hope has undergone numerous tests to identify any other health concerns, however, all have come back inconclusive."

Hope has damaged one of her eyes from falling and has sores on her legs from not being able to get up from her falls.

Hayley was desperate to give her a new lease of life and set up a GoFundMe to raise money for a wheelchair for dogs - which cost $1,000.

She wasn't sure if it would work for a sheep but after strangers donated the funds needed Hayley has been able to buy the wheels.

Hayley said: "When you run an animal sanctuary like mine, you see so much cruelty and sadness, but to see the amount of people who care, it’s amazing.

“It gives me goosebumps.”

Now she is asking for further donations to help with Hope's ongoing vet bills.

The sanctuary costs around $600 per week to run before veterinary bills, all of which comes from fundraising.

Last year, the annual vet bill amounted to $15,000, and the costs of Hope’s treatment is already in excess of $1,000.

Hayley is unsure if Hope will need a wheelchair permanently and said: “It’s a waiting game.”

Her ‘hope’ for Hope is that “she’ll be able to come out of them one day and just be running around with all the other sheep."

You can donate to the Lotus Lamb & Sheep Sanctuary on GoFundMe.