Heartprints

Rest in Peace - The Hoofprints on Our Hearts

If an animal dies at the Black Sheep, we dig a deep hole at the far edge of the goat paddock, and plant a tree as a memorial. Standing by the grave you can hear the calls of the ducks and the gutteral conversations of sheep and goats. The cadence of sanctuary life, of feeds and cuddles, continues around them. At night there's the dense country darkness. Long grass grows between the saplings, and the goats push their heads through the wire fence to grab sly mouthfuls.

When the end comes, we miss the loving, mysterious, sometimes cantankerous creatures who lived with us. Death comes for all of us. Though the pawprints and hoofmarks our friends left on the earth are long since trodden over, they remain imprinted on our hearts.

Puddles came to the sanctuary as a tiny duckling after breaking a leg and needing physical therapy to recover. Though Puddles continued to rely on one leg, they happily hopped around the predator-free paddock with their duck friend Franklin. Puddles will be fondly remembered and dearly missed.

RIP 2025

Larry started life as a house pig and found himself in danger when his caregivers could no longer look after him. He arrived at the sanctuary in December 2015 and thrived alongside his pig companions. Larry will always be remembered with love.

RIP 2025

Russell Crow arrived at the sanctuary with his father after narrowly escaping being abandoned on a street corner. He roosted in a little house near the caretaker’s house in the compost area and loved human company. Russell Crow will be fondly remembered and dearly missed.

RIP 2025

Maggie was a gentle and lovely grey rabbit with very soft fur. She came to the sanctuary several years ago to be a companion for our rescue bunny Mindy and quickly became a cherished member of our rabbit family. Maggie will be fondly remembered and dearly missed.

RIP 2025

Mushroom was a very gentle and impressively large rescued rooster. When he first arrived, he spent most of his time with the ewes in the sheep paddock, but he later formed friendships with the other roosters at the sanctuary. Mushroom will be fondly remembered and dearly missed.

RIP 2025

Bunnykin was a sweet Netherland Mini Rex rabbit who joined the sanctuary after his former family could no longer keep him. He found friendship and comfort with fellow rabbits Mindy and Maggy, and spent his days enjoying their gentle companionship. Bunnykin will always be remembered with love.

RIP 2025

Mindy was rescued as a tiny rabbit pup after her home was destroyed by a digger. She was very weak at first, and we weren’t sure she would survive — but she did, and she thrived. Mindy grew into a beloved house bunny at the sanctuary, known for her gentle nature and love of soft strokes. She will be fondly remembered and dearly missed.

RIP 2025

Pepper was a handsome Muscovy duck who came to the sanctuary with his dear friend Salt after they were found abandoned at a house in Ōtaki. The pair quickly settled in and became inseparable, spending their days side by side. Pepper was a cherished part of our sanctuary whānau and will be deeply missed.

RIP 2025

Struan was a splendid and much-loved cow with loads of personality. One of our longest-term residents, she came to the sanctuary after needing a safe new home and quickly formed close friendships with the other cows. Struan brought warmth and character to the herd and will be deeply missed.

RIP 2025

Sweet Trotter, who was both deaf and blind, shared a special bond with his sister Tommy, who helped guide and care for him. When their original caregivers could no longer keep them, we were honoured to offer them a safe home at the Black Sheep. Trotter will be deeply missed.

RIP 2024

Archie was an amiable black and white goat who came to the sanctuary with his companion Spot after their caregiver could no longer care for them. He had a gentle nature and loved his extra meals and liquid mineral supplement. Archie will be fondly remembered and dearly missed.

RIP 2024

Brian was an adorable young Captain Cook pig. Some very kind people found her in the wild as a small piglet. She was near death, but they brought her home and managed to save her with lots of loving care. However, as she got bigger, she needed a new home with more space and other pigs. She settled in well at the sanctuary. Although initially quite shy – as she was originally wild – she grew to love a good tummy rub!

RIP 2024

Bowie is a tiny rooster who needed a safe home as he has a malformed beak from a hatch defect. He loves to crow and has a beautiful smile and crest of feathers. We provide Bowie with supplementary meals as he eats rather slowly due to his scissor beak
and his favorite food is banana.

RIP 2024

Fern had a very happy long life at the sanctuary with her son, Simon. They were rescued together and both became long-term sanctuary residents. Fern was shy but enjoyed hanging out, climbing, and playing with the other sanctuary goats

RIP 2024

Spud will be missed by his best friend, Matata, and all of the volunteers and visitors who got to know him.

RIP 2024

Sparkles arrived at the sanctuary, flyblown and facing death. Fortunately, she made a wonderful recovery, and quickly settled into our flock of sheep. She was very friendly and interactive, and would approach any passing human for cuddles. She will be missed.

RIP 2023

Comfrey was found wandering the streets of Porirua with his brother Ginkgo and briefly stayed at the SPCA before joining the sanctuary. Gentle yet confident, he grew into one of the herd’s leaders and preferred the company of other goats, especially his best friend, Simon. Comfrey will be fondly remembered and dearly missed.

RIP 2024

Our lovely Bartholomew is a beautiful boy who was destined for the slaughterhouse but was luckily rescued. His original caregiver could no longer look after him, so we gave him a home at the Black Sheep!
After ten happy years at the sanctuary Bartholomew's arthritis rapidly worsened and sadly we had to euthanise him. Though we tried our best with medication, he eventually lost interest in food and was struggling to stand up. He likely had some other age related issues going on as well such as decreased organ function so that certainly would have contributed to him declining as well. Bartholomew was such a wonderful, loving, special sheep. We know his sponsors really loved him and so did we!

RIP 2023

Dorris and her brother Horace were rescued as tiny piglets from a factory farm in October 2011. She grew into a very playful, inquisitive and friendly pig, who appeared to thoroughly enjoy life at the sanctuary - especially whenever food was involved! Sadly, long white pigs are bred to grow unnaturally large, putting enormous strain on their joints and affecting their health. Dorris was eventually euthanised after suffering an injury that affected her mobility and quality of life. She lived a very long and happy life for a pig her size and she will be greatly missed.

RIP 2022

Toa arrived at the sanctuary, as a tiny, frightened wild piglet. She soon realised that humans were friends and playmates, and learned to trust us. She formed strong bonds with the older, larger pigs at the Black Sheep, and enjoyed playing in the paddock with the other pigs and goats! Sadly she was in a lot of pain towards the end of her life and euthanasia was the only option left. She was a sweet gentle pig who was loved by all.

RIP 2022

Hotlips was a confident, friendly sheep who enjoyed a long, peaceful life at the sanctuary. In his final months his mobility declined, and despite our best efforts, he did not recover. Hotlips will always be remembered with love and gratitude for the joy he brought.

RIP 2021

Soybean was already pregnant when she arrived at the Black Sheep, and that spring she gave birth to her beautiful lamb Sorrel. Sorrel enjoyed hanging out with her Mum as they lived together in safety at the sanctuary.

RIP 2021

Our beautiful Carla was shy but lovely. She arrived at the sanctuary as one of a group of lambs who had been raised for slaughter, but were thankfully rescued. Carla was able to live a good, long, happy life at the Sanctuary.

RIP 2021

Lola is a beautiful ginger-haired pig who arrived at the sanctuary from a home near Levin where the people couldn't look after her any more.

RIP 2021

Moby was a very friendly goat who came here many years ago. Affectionate and gentle, he loved cuddles. As he grew older, sadly he developed age-related health issues. He is much missed.

RIP 2020

Zip was rescued from the goat dairy industry as a young kid, along with his brother Merge. Most male kids are killed at a very young age, so Zip was very lucky to escape. Sadly Zip had health issues. He suffered vagus nerve damage at birth, and recovered well. However in 2019 he developed kidney failure which could not be treated successfully. We were so sorry to lose him.

RIP 2019

Squeaky began her days in a mobile petting zoo. Later she ended up with a pig farmer, who kept her continuously pregnant for two years, until her body was exhausted, and she was likely to be slaughtered. Fortunately she was rescued just in time, and she moved into the Black Sheep, where she is slowly learning to trust humans.

RIP 2018

Ivy used to live at a holiday park, tied up most of the time, with people teasing and prodding her. Not surprisingly, her owners reported that she was becoming aggressive, and they needed to find another home for her. We managed to get in touch with them, and now she is well settled into the sanctuary with the other goats. She slowly learned to trust humans., and became the matriarch of the herd until her death.

RIP 2018

Horace was rescued from a factory farm towards the end of 2011, along with his sister Doris. Horace was a gentle giant, and made himself thoroughly at home at the sanctuary. Doris and Toa will be gutted with his loss, he was a great ambassador with his friendly nature, his playful antics and his gentle ways. He will be greatly missed.

RIP 2018

Mossbeard was injured by a seagull as a lamb, but grew up to become a beautiful affectionate sheep who loved people.

RIP 2018

Goatee was a rescue goat who came to the sanctuary from Lindale Farm. He was a beautiful gentle soul who loved people. He knew his name and made many friends among the other goats.

RIP 2017

Hector the ram was due to go to the slaughterhouse, along with his friend Ethel, a black-faced sheep. Fortunately a kind person got in touch with us, and Hector and Ethel came and lived with us at the sanctuary. Hector was a splendid boy with a lot of attitude! Hector and Ethel were the first sheep to arrive at the sanctuary.

RIP 2017

Dave was a very friendly rooster who loved showing off his glorious plumage! Like so many roosters in Aotearoa he was unwanted because he didn't lay eggs and greeted the world each morning in a very loud voice!

RIP 2017

Stanley was a friendly white goat, who arrived at the Black Sheep in 2010 with his friend Hetty. Their caregivers could no longer look after them, and they had nowhere to go. Fortunately the Black Sheep was able to offer the pair a home where they could enjoy life with other goat friends. Stanley loved attention from humans when he was not playing with the other goats.

RIP 2017

Ms Goat was a loved longtime friend and companion, and is saldy missed by both goats and humans. Originally she had been used as a milking goat. After her caregivers went overseas, she was tethered, and seemed quite unhappy, fortunately we managed to negotiate for her come to the sanctuary, where she was a lovely friendly member of our goat herd.

RIP 2016

Ethel was a lovely black-faced sheep. She and Hector the ram were due to go to the slaughterhouse, but a kind person got in touch with us, and she and Hector came to live with us at the sanctuary. Ethel and Hector were the first sheep to arrive at the sanctuary.

RIP 2016

Our lovely Klapansi, with only three legs. The poor boy began his life as a lamb with a deformed leg, which had to be amputated. Fortunately he was able to live contentedly at the sanctuary with the other male sheep.

RIP 2016

Bo fell through a farm fence as a newborn lamb and was too weak to make her way back through it to her mother's side. A very kind couple rescued her, caring for her lovingly, until she found a home at the Black Sheep Animal Sanctuary – where everyone fell in love with her!

RIP 2016

Billy was a very affectionate and outgoing billy goat. He has always been well loved, but his previous caregiver could no longer give him a home, so it was great that we could offer this handsome boy a place. He was extremely gregarious and enjoyed contact with human friends.

RIP 2016

Nana, a rescued Burmese cat who died in her twenties, was one of the oldest sanctuary residents. She was a gentle yet strong-willed personality who charmed everyone she met. Confident, friendly and very interactive, she helped socialise wild kittens, taking them firmly and lovingly under her paw and enabling them to be rehomed.

RIP 2016

Peanut was a gentle, elderly horse who arrived at the Black Sheep as she needed a safe home for her retirement. She only had a few teeth left, but managed to eat well and enjoy life with her animal and human friends. She liked the company of Thunder the miniature horse, and the sanctuary cows.

RIP 2015