An animal sanctuary in Devon has discovered that hot weather, in addition to being generally unpleasant for everyone, is also financially ruinous. The Hakuna Matata Animal Trust reports it is now spending £500 a week on food - because the grass on its Marldon site has died, and apparently animals don't eat dead grass.

Founder Hayley Prescott notes that in addition to the food budget, the sanctuary is buying extra equipment “to create more shade” and watching its water bill climb “a lot higher” as staff constantly refill water troughs and whip up mud baths for pigs trying to escape the sun. Because nothing says summer fun like a pig spa funded by donations.

The sanctuary, which was founded in 2021 to rescue a pig named Mustard from slaughter, now houses sheep, chickens, turkeys, cats, alpacas, guinea pigs and rabbits - a Noah’s Ark situation that could become a real problem if the place closes within two months, as staff fear. Prescott calls the prospect of rehoming all the animals “terrifying,” which is a polite way of saying “we are one heatwave away from a barnyard refugee crisis.”

Volunteer Catherine Christie-Mutch is trying to stay optimistic, noting that while supporters are lovely, “there is only that much we can ask of these people.” Translation: the well of goodwill is shallower than the sanctuary’s water bill. A sponsorship scheme has been set up to keep the charity afloat, because apparently even animal lovers need a nudge when the alternative is 50 alpacas showing up at your door.