Latest News
Wonderful People
February 6, 2012
This long holiday weekend has been filled with wonderful people. Yesterday Eve, Susan & Woodrow helped us get the paddocks ready to hay. Today, Natascha (in photo) scrubbed aviaries, filled them with native branches, cleaned the deck, and created a new parrot gym to replace the old one that was falling apart. Several different families came to adopt rescued battery hens, and two offered their help for our upcoming fundraiser / auction. And tomorrow an international group of 5 French and German volunteers arrive for a week to help with key projects. Just when I’m starting to feel overwhelmed, wonderful people appear. THANK YOU!!!!!
Thanks
February 5, 2012
Thank you to Eve, Susan and Woodrow for coming up to groom the paddocks yesterday, and to Natascha who is coming up today. We really appreciate your help – and the animals loved the attention!! You’re such good friends, and it meant a lot that you came up to assist us.
HAY PARTY AT THE SANCTUARY!
February 1, 2012
Would you like to visit The Animal Sanctuary over this long weekend? One of the most important things we do each year is make hay, as it feeds the animals for the whole year. We’d love to have some friends come up any day over the weekend to help us get the pasture ready for haying. It’s simple work (snipping off carrot weed), and if there’s a bunch of us we can get it done quickly. We’ll groom the paddocks for 2 hours, then come back here for a cuppa, homemade organic blueberry muffins, and to cuddle the animals! If you choose Saturday, you could also visit the famous Matakana Markets first. If you’re able to help us, we’d really appreciate it. Please call us on 09-422-7322 to let us know which day you prefer to visit, and we’ll get it all organised. Feel free to share this request on your page, as we’d love to spread the word. Thanks!!
MYSTERY BUNNY
This gorgeous rabbit appeared in a Glenfield backyard, and has settled in to stay. It’s clearly been someone’s pet, but all attempts to find its owners have failed. The people who live there are moving soon, and are very worried about what will become of this lovely mystery rabbit. It would be wonderful if there is a home out there with a bunny proof fence so that it could continue to live cage free. If you can help, please contact Craig and Dayle on 09-444 9413 or Dayle’s 027-525-6356. You can also email daylegeorge1@yahoo.com If you do adopt this bunny, can you let us know? We love happy endings! Thanks.
JANUARY BATTERY HEN RESCUES
January 29, 2012
Two weeks ago we rescued 55 battery hens who were scheduled for slaughter. Just look at the condition in this photo. It’s torture. Happily, we have homes lined up for all of them. Tuesday night we will drive for several hours to rescue 30 more… because the next day, the remaining 770 hens in that section will be sent for slaughter. It breaks my heart. These are young hens, just 16 months old. They’ve only laid for one season, but will now be killed as they go off-lay for the first time. It’s such a senseless waste, as they would begin laying again after they moult, and would continue to lay for many years. I wish I could save them all – but the only way that will happen is if we change our laws. Effective Jan 1, the EU has now banned battery cages. Their law states that cages must now allow each hen a minimum of 750 square centimeters. It’s a start. When oh when will New Zealand do the same??
Domenic’s Plea
January 27, 2012
JAN 28 – GREAT NEWS!! DOMENIC REPORTS THAT SOMEONE WHO READ THIS POST HAS ADOPTED FRIZZLE. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!
Hi, my name is Domenic. I am 11 years old and I have been wishing for chickens for 2 years. This year my wish was granted and I received 4 adorable baby chicks. I was told they were all female. I have just discovered that one is a male. He is beautiful white Frizzle.
As I don’t live yet in the country my dad said I can’t keep him. I am devastated. I want him to go to a good home with a few hens as he might get lonely when he is let out to find bugs and grubs to eat. He is very lovable and I am really sorry that I have to let him go.
If you can help me by offering him a good home PLEASE contact me urgently as my Dad is worried about our neighbours so I have to rehome him now. I live in Albany on the North Shore of Auckland. domenicjohnson@googlemail.com or 0220150184 or at home 09 444 6371. Thank you.
Kelly’s Big Move
January 24, 2012
We’re happy to announce that Kelly, the orphaned baby kereru that we’ve been raising, is now old enough and strong enough to be moved to the “big bird” aviary. This is where she will have lots of room to practice flying, and to gain the flight strength she will need before being set free. She also has the chance to mix and mingle with the other adult kereru in this aviary, to learn their behaviours. Because she was hand-raised, Kelly was a bit nervous at first. As you can see from this photo, she took a place of safety on her adopted father’s head. But then… (see photo below)
Kelly’s First Flight
After a little while, Kelly realised that this was a BIG space, where she could truly stretch her wings and fly. So all of a sudden she gathered herself up, spread her wings, and launched into the air. This photo shows that exact moment. She flew perfectly! She swooped around in a huge circle, and then settled on an upper branch. It was a special occasion for us. It’s time now for Kelly to learn that she’s a wild bird, not a human. It’s good to see her mixing with the other kereru – but it’s also heart warming that she still lands on our arm and makes her little baby noises. What a sweetheart.
