Located in Sandown on the south coast of the Isle of Wight, The Wildheart Animal Sanctuary is managed by The Wildheart Trust. Our organisation is dedicated to making a meaningful impact on the health of the natural world, while actively improving the well-being of animals in human care.

At Wildheart, we rescue animals from abuse and provide forever homes where they can thrive, acting as ambassadors to shine a spotlight on animal exploitation and giving a voice to those that have none. Many of these animals have been abused in environments like circuses and the pet trade all over the world. The Wildheart Animal Sanctuary provides a permanent home to these beautiful animals where they can rehabilitate from life’s past traumas and thrive once more.

Our rescue range from the small and native, like hedgehogs with ongoing medical needs, to the large and exotic, like lions, tigers, and now bears. One of our most recent success stories, was Softi and Toph, two tigers rescued in May 2023 from the back of a horse box. They were being illegally smuggled to Russia where they were likely to be shot and used for body parts. Absolutely terrified, in cages too short to stand in, these animals came to the Sanctuary, where it has taken a long time to trust humans again. Six months later, they have finally begun to flourish, beginning to recognize and “chuff” at their carers and displaying behaviours associated with a happy tiger once again.

We cannot do this alone, and this is why we need the help and assistance of our community to enable our rescue and rehabilitation work. We want to create an on-going fund that will allow us to react quickly and decisively when a rescue opportunity arises so that we can offer the sanctuary and welfare to these animals that is so needed. That's why we need your help! Consider donating or creating a fundraiser to help us rescue more animals in need!