We strive…
Who would have thought that a desire born in 2009/2010 would see a sanctuary, a community sanctuary, standing side by side with so many beautiful people, all with the same goals and love for animals and their rights?
Caring for over 200 animals we, much the same as most people born into the classic Western households, would evolve and see the light that is industry lies and animal cruelty. Brought up on a diet of meat and three veg, indoctrinated as our parents were, and their parents before them. Shopping in hundreds of supermarkets, dining out in countless restaurants or cafes and eating animals without a second thought.
But, there was a second thought. A niggling in the back of the mind that perhaps we were not doing what was right.
Taught that the product we buy from the shops is just that, a mere product. Before, one day, awakening from what can only be described as a Neanderthal slumber, accepting our wrongdoing and forging forward with animal rights in mind and the tenacity to not only save, but educate and help others on path to rightness.
Awakenings can be mass encompassing, and we have today a sanctuary that does not work alone. Rather, we take the hand of every follower, every supporter, everyone with the true belief and we strive to make change for those who matter. This is what you do when you look upon our social media, visit our website, engage in any way possible. You add fire to the movement that is taking over the world, all in the name of kindness and compassion, as well as simply being the right thing to do. You read the stories of the animals, you resonate over posts and comments made. We educate each other and then, with persistence in our veins we strive to educate the masses. One person at a time. The truth always wins out.
It’s a wonderful thing for two natural sceptics. We have always been somewhat sceptics. And we’ve always been people who don’t automatically accept things on face value, perhaps lapsing into denial, to a point. We have seen the popularity and credence of Furever Farm grow, and it has done so with so many wonderful people. Support from vendors as friends, as mentioned, more support and love from followers whom we always call our family. Numbers increasing in our, and the animals lives, an online community family that truly holds our hearts. But, that is the positive of a sceptic. That sometimes it allows you to, objectively, see the answer of the very topic you have questioned.
You see, it’s not that Furever Farm sanctuary has necessarily grown. Moreso, it is the vegan and animal care movement that has gotten bigger and stronger. That, in itself, is something of which to hold hope.
Right now, sanctuaries are so important. Sadly, farmed animal sanctuaries are extremely necessary. We need more sanctuaries on the ground, all pushing towards the same goal of not requiring sanctuaries into the future. It won’t happen in our lifetime, but the next generation and beyond hold all of the power and difference.
Sanctuaries today need unity. They need to be working together, all together. Not one sanctuary is more important than its residents, and none should pull away, or go it alone. The saying; ”united we stand…divided we fall” has no greater place than an animal sanctuary. And support. Just like the support we have here at Furever Farm, is so vital to the success of animal rights. You simply cannot do it alone.
In sanctuary you will experience many things, many people. At days end it is important to remember that you are here for the animals. First and foremost, the animals hold preference, they never fall second to any other instance. When you decide that sanctuary life is your path you do so accepting full well that you are handing your life over to the animals, and rightly so.
Because without you and your team, there is no life for these beautiful souls. You will experience the heartwarming highs. Oh, the smiles and the joy, the cheers of success.
Stories such a Karma, left to die by his human with savage dog attack injuries. A leg amputation later and a rebuilt urethra would see Karma as he is today; with a new family, running, jumping and playing as if still a baby lamb. Years ago, a damaged little pig would require physical and phycological rehabilitation lasting month after month after gruelling month. Mocha the pig would grow to be the biggest sweetest cuddly boy you could meet. Even recently, Katie the sheep and her eye removal to eradicate cancer, which seems not to have spread giving Katie a new lease on life.
And Bruno, the big Merino sheep left by farmers to die, blind in a paddock with excruciating eye infections so bad that his blood vessels had physically pushed his eyeballs from their sockets in an attempt to repair. Bruno has not been here for more than a few months, but has mapped his sanctuary and accepted allcomers, including pats and kisses. Even simply seeing animals live to their natural old age, passing in warmth, love and with family.
Part of the responsibility of a sanctuary may be that we simply provide a place so welcoming for the elderly or ill that they find enough comfort to choose this place to pass. So many more we could recount, so much we could say. And, it is so important to remember the success stories, to embrace the good times. In sanctuary, ones own psychological journey remains important for, not only ones self, but the souls of which you care.
You will also, sadly, experience crushing heartbreaking lows. The animals who you simply cannot save, no matter the effort or dedication. Everyone at the sanctuary feels these moments, the team take joys and sadness home with them. The animals with disease or illness that are just too far gone by the time they reach loving arms. The condition of animals so tragic it spurs feelings of hate towards those who allowed them to get this way.
We have rescued sheep from paddocks that have simply been left to die by farmers, riddled with flystrike to the point of maggots having chewed their flesh half way up their back. The toxins too great, even after intensive cleansing, medicating, and love, their precious bodies just cannot go on. But, it is amazing how an animal, coming from a scared flock, will allow you to do what you need to help. In fact, a look of relief spreads upon their face when you reach them in the paddock. They later snuggle your body as placed in a warm corner amongst soft bedding, hoping that they can do the rest. Sadly, they can’t. But, at least in their last throws of life they experience love, acceptance.
Animals know when you are trying to help. Right down to the babies, the lambs, kids or calves. So debilitated with infection that their path cannot be altered. It will break your heart, it will try to break your spirit, but in your promise to accept anything that comes your way to continue helping all others, you remind yourself that they passed in the warmth, rather than the ice cold paddock. And that baby did not think he or she’s life was short. To that baby they lived a full life of love.
A sanctuaries obligations do not stop at saving animals, although as mentioned that is the prime responsibility. We are also obliged to educate people of these animals. Many people will never have been close to this type of animal. Many will have lived hearing industry derived untruths. Many will associate them with food. We are here to show them they are anything but. To tell them of their individual personalities. Their species characteristics and how they operate. Their sentience and emotion. Their bonding, family units and understanding. To inform people that there is absolutely no reason nor benefit to using these animals for food. None whatsoever. It is why tours, visits and open days should always be welcomed. Done respectfully, all of these mediums take up where online education ends. Opening the gates to the public and speaking with people direct, there simply is no greater reach.
At times, because of what you see and who you experience almost daily, things can threaten to destroy your confidence, darken your outlook to that better future. But, we must remember another responsibility of ours; espousing the aims and facts of veganism. Because veganism is the only way to stop the killing, to provide animals with a loving future and a life of rights. We must continue to speak loudly and unashamedly. We must forever emphasise the message of veganism to the young of today, every bit as much as young have been lied to in the past. For, if we do not, the doors of the slaughterhouses will continue to open and close, trapping behind them millions of souls. Their instruments of death will continue to operate. Blood will continue to be spilled as innocents die against their will. The screams, hidden by an industry so void of compassion will continue to wail. Animals petrified as they gasp their final breath all the time not wanting to die.
On our journey, everyone’s journey, we can celebrate all of the animals. And we should celebrate animals saved, never forgetting those who weren’t. Keeping both secure within our mind, heart and soul will feed the drive of correctness. Our duty is to never cease. What seems hard for us today is a thousandfold to trillions of abused and slaughtered animals. Our duties run deep. We must always hold faith in our movement.
We dedicate this to all of the animals needlessly and cruelly killed.
They mean something to us. They mean something to everyone.
Please consider supporting our work so we can help more animals. We rely entirely on donations & gifts and truly appreciate your help!
