An animal sanctuary in Marldon, Devon, is running out of money after having to pay "astronomical" food and water bills because of recent hot weather. The Hakuna Matata Animal Trust said it was buying £500 of food a week because grass on its site had died, while temperatures were "having an effect on everything".
The charity said it may have to close within two months unless more support is found. Volunteers have set up a sponsorship scheme to help keep it afloat.
Why are the bills so high?
The sanctuary said it has had to spend more because the hot weather has damaged the grass and increased the need for water and shade. Founder Hayley Prescott said it was having to buy extra equipment "to create more shade" and that its water bill was "a lot higher... because we are having to constantly redo waters and create mud baths for the pigs to help protect them from the sun".
The food bill to feed the animals is £500 a week due to the lack of grass.
What animals live at the sanctuary?
The Hakuna Matata Animal Trust was set up in 2021 to rescue Mustard the pig, who was at risk of having to go for slaughter if a home was not found for him. Since then, volunteers have taken in sheep, chickens, turkeys, cats, alpacas, guinea pigs and rabbits.
What would closure mean for the charity?
Ms Prescott said the thought of having to find homes for all the animals if the charity were to close was "terrifying". The team said it would be a major challenge to rehome all of the animals if the sanctuary could no longer continue.
How are volunteers coping?
Volunteer Catherine Christie-Mutch said the sanctuary was grateful for the help it already receives, but that supporters could only do so much.
"they have lovely supporters, people behind us, but there is only that much we can ask of these people"
She added that this year had already been very hard, with lots of animal loss and high vet bills.
"Every time it starts to look a bit brighter, something else happens, no time for the sanctuary to get back on its feet," she said.
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