Meet the Residents

The original Heartbeat Haven horse and the reason we had the space to begin helping more animals at our previous property. Floki is an off-the-track Thoroughbred who raced until he was eight.

He is the herd boss, Adam’s best mate, and can switch from high-energy chaos to completely relaxed in an instant.

Carrots, apples and pretty much any treat will win him over.

Born in 2012.

Diego had been used as an unregistered stallion until his owner became unwell and the family was left unsure what to do next.

We suspect he had experienced rough handling in the past, including practices such as ear twitching, which may explain some of the sensitivities he still carries.

These days, Diego has a safe home where his boundaries are respected and his care is shaped around trust, patience and consistency.

Born in 2004.

Gandalf spent around 15 years abandoned on a cattle property. By the time the property was sold, he was frail, neglected, covered in faeces and already booked onto a truck to the knackery.

Instead, Gandalf came to us and was given the chance to recover in safety, with proper care, good food and the time he needed to settle.

After so many years of being overlooked, he now gets to spend his days surrounded by kindness, comfort and people who value him.

Born in 1996.

Chewie spent nearly 20 years as a school horse, carrying countless new riders and teaching people how to ride. When he was finally retired, he was sold with a companion to live out his days as a pet.

His new property was badly overgrown with little usable pasture, and after his companion died from a snake bite, Chewie was left alone and slowly starving.

In the end, Chewie saved himself. He broke through two fences and made his way onto a busy road, where his situation could no longer be ignored.

Born in 2002.

Steve is Gertie’s lifelong companion and a miniature pig, which in Steve’s case still means around 200 kg.

He spent nearly 10 happy years on a property, but when the property was sold his future suddenly became uncertain. The only people interested in taking him wanted him for meat, and euthanasia was being considered.

Instead, Steve came into our care with Gertie, where the pair could stay together and live out their lives safely.

Born in 2014.

Gertie is Steve’s lifelong companion and very much the Grandma of the sanctuary.

She spent nearly 10 happy years on a property with Steve, but when the property was sold, both of their futures became uncertain. The only people interested in taking them wanted them for meat, and euthanasia was being considered.

Instead, Gertie came into our care with Steve, where they could stay together and live out their lives safely.

Born in 2015.

Truffles was a free-ranging pet at a campground, where she lived with another pig. After a neighbour threatened to shoot them, Truffles’ companion was tragically killed.

Not long after, Truffles was attacked by dogs. The horrific attack cost her an ear and left scars across her body.

Her owners feared it could happen again, but the only people offering to take her wanted her for a barbecue. Instead, Truffles came into our care, where she could finally be safe.

Born in 2025.

Wilbur was a much-loved family pet for six years. He grew up with four dogs, loved being part of the family and was even known to sit on the couch with his owner.

When the property was sold and the family had to move, Wilbur was left with nowhere safe to go. We rescued him on what was meant to be his final day, as he was due to be euthanised after the only people willing to take him wanted to use him to bait and train pig-hunting dogs.

Wilbur is also deaf due to an ear infection earlier in life.

Born in 2019.

These two are part of the Doctor Dragons flock. We were contacted about the two young roosters after they started crowing on a suburban property and could no longer stay.

Their owners had been backyard breeding and had previously been dumping unwanted young roosters in bushland until someone suggested trying to find them a proper home instead.

Dumped roosters rarely survive for long. They are vulnerable to cats, wildlife, traffic and other predators, and abandoning them is illegal.

Luckily, we had space to take these two in and give them the safe home they deserved.

Born in 2025.

Dr Amelia Shepherd was originally part of the Grey Sloan flock, but after being bullied, it became clear he needed a calmer place to live.

He was moved in with the Dragons, creating what we now call the Doctor Dragons flock.

Shepherd came to us a few weeks after the Dragons from the same people. At the time, we did not really have the space or funds for more roosters, but the alternative was that he and six others may have been dumped.

We could not leave them to that fate, so Shepherd came into our care and found a safer, more peaceful home.

Born in 2025.

Dr George O’Malley came to us as part of the group of roosters rescued shortly after the Dragons.

He was the smallest rooster in the group when he arrived, but he certainly did not stay that way. George has grown into one of the largest roosters at Heartbeat Haven Sanctuary.

Despite his size, he is a gentle soul and has formed a close friendship with Kevin the turkey.

They spend a lot of time together and have become a very bonded pair.

Kevin was originally meant to be a hen, as his previous owners hoped to breed turkeys. When he grew up and revealed himself to be a tom, they needed to find him a new home.

That is how Kevin came to Heartbeat Haven Sanctuary.

He certainly isn’t quiet and loves to walk around with his feathers puffed, looking absolutely majestic.

Born in 2025.