Four-hundred dollars worth of hay travelled up the dead end street, behind the brick house, and over to the barn that Olaf now calls home.

The 20-something-year-old, quarter horse cross is white, like the Disney snowman he was named for, but a little dirtier than the Frozen character. His scraggly tail has grown in now that he no longer has cows nibbling at it. In fact, his roommate now is a black, potbelly pig.

“Piggy walks around all day, and when he’s ready, he puts himself in bed with Olaf,” said Deb Devlin, co-founder of Don’t Forget Us, Pet Us.

Piggy and Olaf are two of more than 60 unwanted, abused, neglected, and handicapped animals currently living on the 7.4-acre animal sanctuary. Piggy was saved from a Fairhaven meat auction by Devlin’s now 11-year-old daughter, Amber, who had used her summer earnings. His story doesn’t quite compare to Olaf’s, however.

Olaf arrived at the sanctuary in 2015.

“The first thing that was very noticeable — huge red flags with Olaf — is that it was August, and he had a very heavy, thick, wavy coat drenched in sweat,” said Devlin.

The delayed shedding signaled Cushing’s Disease, which can also result in recurring infection, blindness, decreased athletic performance, and infertility.

“His toes were pointing back up again like elf shoes,” said Devlin, explaining that domesticated horses need their hooves trimmed. “That really affects his ability to walk.”

Additionally, Olaf had tendon issues in his left hind leg, and his eyes were swollen and crusty. Devlin explained that Olaf had been circulated around Westport — his ailments left untreated — before being donated to the Portuguese Feast, where he would be auctioned as a fundraiser. The buyer turned Olaf over to Devlin’s sanctuary.

“When he got off the trailer, he had a string around his neck. He didn’t even have a halter,” said Devlin. “He was so sad, so broken, and just had no will to live.”

Devlin has always had a passion for animals. At six years old, she was involved in the 4H Club, and she would sleep snuggled between mounds of stuffed animals.

The now respiratory therapist co-owns the sanctuary with nurse Jill Tigano.

“Our comfort level with animals… with medical issues… we’re not afraid to take those on,” said Devlin. In 2008, they bought the property, and have since nursed Vincent, a scared and nervous goat; Cinnamon, a 30-something-year-old Shetland pony; and Chippi, the farm’s llama, among other animals.

“We have animals that are blind and animals that have diseases. They’re expensive to take care of,” said Devlin.

Olaf has recovered from many of his injuries and become stronger, but he’s also developed a nasal cavity infection that requires bimonthly vet visits, and a recent visit from the farrier to fit horseshoes cost $300.

What’s remarkable to Devlin, however, is that Olaf’s recovery has been a community affair.

Olaf has received ribbons from supporters at Potter Elementary, but also from Plymouth, Mississippi, Scotland, and Australia.

Children in Westport made Olaf ribbons as a birthday party activity, and $200 of that incoming hay load was supplied by 10-year-old Isabella Appleyard, who requested donations to the sanctuary in lieu of birthday presents.

The ribbons and gifts for Olaf are not random, said Devlin. “There was this little row of ribbons, and every time I walked into the barn, he’d be standing by these ribbons. Looking at them. Sniffing them. Looking really admiringly.”

The staff members decided that they would find a way for Olaf to win his own ribbons, but due to his waning health, he was unrideable.

However, Olaf got his chance on September 18. At Grazing Field Farms, Olaf was announced, walked into the ring, and received a champion neck ribbon and trophy. Additionally, $500 was raised for the nonprofit, and equestrian retailer SmartPak mailed Olaf a donation — a halter, lead line, bridle, and show cooler (which is a dressy, fleece blanket).

“This horse came here two years ago with two things: a string around his neck and an ‘I want to die’ look in his eye. It broke our hearts, but we decided we were going to love him first. Now, he’s getting mail. He was braided. He looked amazing!” said Devlin.

Daily, Olaf receives medicine, senior feed, and is allowed to wander the property and graze. At night, he returns to his stall, which is decorated with both show and handcrafted ribbons.

“Olaf is a special horse, and his story is a special one. It inspires people to have a call-to-action,” said Tigano. “People are helping out in all sorts of different ways. It creates a sense of community.”

Don’t Forget Us, Pet Us received official 501(c)(3) status as a nonprofit in January, which has allowed Devlin to quit the part-time jobs she worked to upkeep the sanctuary, she said. However, monthly feed for the animals costs about $1,800, she said.

“I get phone calls and emails every day. I have to turn animals down because we don’t have funding,” she said.

Right now, an anonymous funder is matching donations; she helped fund the other $200 worth of delivered hay. To help, click the donate button on the sanctuary’s Facebook page, or mail checks and/or ribbons to 632 Faunce Corner Road, North Dartmouth.