Honey's Pledge

20/02/2024

So pleased today to get assistance from the shearer to trim the feet of sixteen of the special needs sheep and goats. With two toes per foot that equates to 128 toes to trim back.

As I am still not back to full use of my shoulder I cannot restrain and trim more than the occasional foot, so this help was so welcome.

Due to some unavoidable issues, these trims had to be delayed for six weeks, in which time the dry weather has caused their feet to harden off, making it very challenging.

Seamus did great work, was calm, and quick. He even got to meet Seamus the alpaca who was watching carefully what he was doing to 'his' sheep!

Everyone can trip the light fantastic much more comfortably now.

17/02/2024

This is important. Please take some time to read and make a submission or do the survey. There is a link in comments of Georgie Purcell - Animal Justice Party MP post

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/pT8xpjULeU8XKopN/?mibextid=oFDknk

16/02/2024

This could be us at shearing :)

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/b5956KSwv5KYpWVR/?mibextid=xCPwDs

16/02/2024

The bro's ..
Ziggy and Bowie

15/02/2024

A year ago we took in five beautiful aged Wiltshire Horn ewes who had been impounded by Council in a nearby regional city.

The ewes were found in three separate locations, but clearly were from the same flock. Initially terrified, once settled we could see they were accustomed to human interactions.

I wish I knew their back story, how they came to be loose on the fringes of the city.

Over the past months their age had claimed three, and today we had to farewell Sheila.

I found her on her side in the shelter yesterday morning and despite treatment and support, she was still very weak. Today we made the decision that it would be kinder to assist her leaving.

Once again a huge thank you to our wonderful vet for coming out and gently attending to Sheila.

Last night Sheila had Sonia for company, now the last of the five ladies.

Although it is hard to say goodbye we take comfort that these ladies found a safe place to end their days.

Pictured:
The five ladies on arrival. January 2023
Sonia (L) and Sheila February 2024

14/02/2024

to

https://www.facebook.com/share/bvSH6bqdFxU6kcDd/?mibextid=oFDknk

“It was disappointing that the Federal Government continued to refuse to provide a timeline for the phase out of live sheep exports to the Middle East when I put the question to the Minister in Question Time today. It’s been nearly four months since the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Fo...

09/02/2024

Ten of the special care sheep, with Seamus the alpaca at the end, tucking into Friday evening supper!

20/01/2024

Ten years safe. Clarence

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=582039008531420&id=486426821425973&mibextid=UyTHkb

10/01/2024

https://www.facebook.com/100064644074253/posts/762697295895066/?mibextid=UyTHkb

This is my second children's book for charity. This time it is aimed at raising awareness and funds for our Australian Wildlife. I have been a volunteer wildlife rescuer for around 18 months now, and I have seen what little financial support there is available for the dedicated carers in this space.

02/01/2024

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=757159909790285&id=100064888471545&mibextid=UyTHkb

“I cannot do all the
good the world needs.
But the world needs all
the good that I can do.”
~Jana Stanfield



Artist: Natalia Shaloshvili, Ukraine/UK
Source: Naive Art Extraordinaire
https://charterforcompassion.org

23/12/2023

https://www.facebook.com/BendigoAnimalWelfareandCommunityServices?mibextid=ZbWKwL

Please read. Make your donations count. Donate direct to rescues.

DONATIONS of $2 & over Tax Deductible BSB: 013533 Account No: 478527768
www.bawcs.org.au/donate/

22/12/2023

Just the biggest thank you to Trish, the team, and all supporters of Animal Rescues Appeal for our Christmas care package.

So lovingly put together, so thoughtful, festive and caring. Such joy in a package.

Thank you so very much.

06/12/2023

Christmas appeal

Hi all,

I am putting out a call..if anyone is considering donations to support rescue for Christmas.. please consider us.

I never like asking as there are so so so many deserving rescues, as well as other groups who support those in our community or overseas in need.

Principally we rely on income from our on farm accomodation to go towards the larger monthly bills, however bookings have slowed in December, and there is not much in the calender going into next year.

Funds are used mainly on feed for the older and special needs sheep, goats and horses and the poultry, vet care and supplies, and husbandry care such as the farrier.

At present we are caring for 110 sheep, 7 goats, 3 alpacas, 16 horses, 3 donkeys 4 cattle and 25 poultry.

Any support through a tax deductible donation will be greatly appreciated at this time.

The account details for Honeys Pledge are:
Westpac BSB 033688 Acct 503538

Thank you for taking the time to read.

30/11/2023

Meet Lisa....

Late at night, I saw a post in our local community FB page reporting a sheep spotted wandering the roads.

I immediately made contact with the person who had raised the alarm, as this sheep was in the vicinity of where "Dan", the last of the sheep Edgar's Mission has only just rescued, was also on the loose. I was worried that any attempts to catch him/her would disrupt the plan in place for Dan.

Pam Ahern answered my message..no this was not Dan..yet another sheep needed ' bringing in.

This sheep had been herded off the road onto a private property, however containment was tenuous, and it was not an easy place to access with panels.

The next day, Lisa's champion and I were brainstorming options when "lady luck" strode in..or rather Manfred Zabinskas ..who by the most amazing serendipity..was headed to the area that very day. Manfred is an expert rescuer, and is a superb tranq darter. ( In fact his first ovine darting, was here, on one of our first rescue sheep, who came to us via Edgars Mission!).

Quickly plans for the day were changed, the lovely Matt Fd offered to head over to help, and we cleared a yard in anticipation.

Anxiously I waited for the call..and it came. Lisa, transfixed by the appearance of Matt, lined up so Manfred could launch the tranq dart, then headed for the lucerne that had been put out to tempt her, and fell asleep.

Swiftly she was moved to the transport, a reversal given and by the time she arrived here, Lisa was standing up in the trailer looking bemused as to what the hell had just happened!

The shire notified, no one has come forward to claim Lisa. She is settling in, though she spent the first week on top of the "hill" in the yard looking for snipers!

We were lucky that Lisa had clearly not been on the run for that long, and was in an accessible area, which made this rescue possible with darting. Darting can only be used selectively.

A huge thank you to the local who saw Lisa and acted to get her to safety to Manfred, to Pam, and to Matt.

23/11/2023

Sienna. Her carer having died when overseas , her home sold, she was to be shot.

Safe

22/11/2023

Two beautiful elders, Robbie and Flip

22/11/2023

Adoption agreements

Today, I was to take some of our rescues to a new home.

Everyone was ready to go when I received a message from their new carers that they were not happy to sign an adoption agreement.

I respect that an adoption agreement is not for everyone. Most people are happy to sign, some, for a range of reasons, are not.

So, I thought it is worth taking some time to explain WHY we ask adoptors to agree to some conditions.

Firstly, Honey's Pledge retains legal 'ownership' of any animal we rehome. We do this so we are able to arrange for their return to us in the unlikely event there are issues with their new home and to prescribe that the animal is not to be rehomed on.

We also specify some minimum standards of care and expectations regarding vet treatment, emergency arrangements etc., and we reserve the right to check on the animals if needed.

It is important to understand, we want animals to go to forever homes they live in for their natural lifespan.

However, experience has taught us, that this is not always possible, either to changes of heart or circumstances.

Of the sixteen horses now resident here ten have been returned to us from what we thought would be their forever homes.

If we had not had a contract in place, their ultimate fate would be out of our hands, and that is not something we are willing to risk.

So, as frustrating as it is to have had a home fall through, we will continue to seek to protect animals who have come into our care.

PS this is Sally. She is in a wonderful forever home :)

19/11/2023

Just the biggest thank you to our local community in the past week

You have stepped up to provide forever homes, to see and help animals in need, and to work together to make these rescues happen.

Thank you

18/11/2023

Please support Animal Rescues Appeal who support so many

https://www.facebook.com/100064403781236/posts/736091568547629/?mibextid=UyTHkb

Our Christmas auction will run from Saturday 18th November and finish Sunday 26th November at 9pm Vic Daylight Savings Time.
Our auction total will (hopefully) cover our Christmas Rescue Care Parcel mailout and purchase a few giftcards for some of our rescues doing things really tough.
We combine postage. Our auction is located in Camperdown Vic. so we expect to post most items to you. Please only bid in dollar amounts.
We do not post overseas.
We use Australia Post satchels and small padded bags for small items.
If you would like to donate any of your wins to a rescue- we will cover postage costs.
This auction is not affiliated with Meta.
Above all, have some fun, and please remember- your kindness will make a difference to smaller, struggling animal rescues, pounds and foster carers, so thank you

15/11/2023

Amazing news. After being missing for 5+ years, Mia is now back home. Owners found her waiting for them on the front porch

LOST: Mia, Cat, PETERHEAD 2/7/18
she suffers from seizures and its unlike her not to come home for the night. 0426 217 951
https://www.facebook.com/allisha.foster

12/11/2023

Can anyone assist with foster?

10/11/2023

Joy, rescued from a miserable life on a chain, came to us many years ago.

She lived a glorious life of freedom since roaming the grove. Last winter, due to her age I brought her into the stable yard so she could be closely monitored.

She loves to potter, adores her twice daily feeds, and sleeps deep, deep sleeps! Here she is this morning..sound asleep.

09/11/2023

GOOD NEWS, the girls have found a new home :)

ASSISTED REHOMING. URGENT

Two lovely small Angora cross goat sisters. Very sweet. Walk on lead. Still a bit wary of humans.

Their current carers rescued the two to get them to safety however need to move from their rental and cannot take the girls with them.

HP cannot take them as I am still recovering from shoulder surgery ( have had a recent set back from overuse) and all of our suitable yards are in long term use.

Located near Creswick.

PIC 3HP NP 116

05/11/2023

We named her Mihaylia.

We were unable to save her.

We called the RSPCA. They attended but did not seize her. She disappeared.

Her racing name was 'Septembre'..She was sold at the Echuca sales.

'Septembre' is not exact racing name as we would not want the original owner hassled. We traced her original owner through her brand and he/she confirmed the mare was put through the Echuca sales by them. They had a high regard for this mare but...like many...did not think through the reality of where horses end up. There is no evidence she was in this condition at the sales.

She was purchased by a person who left her on an agistment property north of Melbourne. She was seen by a person who contacted us. We advised they do a report to RSPCA which they did. Another rescue had received a report and seen the mare and offered to take her via the RSPCA..

The RSPCA inspector attended the property and spoke to property owner but did nothing else. Myhalia disappeared off the property. We did everything we legally could to try to find where she ended up.

Our reason for posting this is to highlight that just 'rehoming is not the solution to ending the slaughter of horses no longer being used in the racing industry...or for any code....

There are too many horses bred in Australia for available long term responsible homes. Saleyards are just clearing houses for those unwilling to take responsibility.

29/10/2023

After some delays the three alpaca boys were shorn early this morning. They behaved impeccably. Romeo ( at rear) was horrified...

28/10/2023

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=639838708333731&id=100069228218891&mibextid=Nif5oz

The City of Ballarat is now offering low cost cat desexing in partnership with the National Desexing Network 🐱

The out of pocket costs are only $50 per cat. Applicants must meet one of the given criteria:
- Residents who hold pension, concession or health care cards
- Residents on low incomes
- Residents with large numbers of cats; and
- Semi-owners who are willing to take responsibility for stray unowned cats, by microchipping, desexing and registering the cat.

To check eligibility or to apply, call 1300 368 992 or visit the National Desexing Network website: https://ndn.org.au/

Desexing is an important part of pet ownership and can help with behavioural and health outcome for animals, as well as reduce the amount of stray cats taken into shelters each year.

Full article on the City of Ballarat website:
https://www.ballarat.vic.gov.au/news/low-cost-options-responsible-cat-ownership

26/10/2023

Joy could not believe her luck when the wind brought down this huge branch full of succulent leaves..into her yard!!!!

26/10/2023

Animal Rescues Appeal do so much to help rescues all over Australia, including us. (Their parcels of Vet Wrap and first aid supplies are a godsend )

Please support their fundraising

https://www.facebook.com/100064403781236/posts/723483749808411/?mibextid=Nif5oz

26/10/2023

Sigh.. sitting in the car out of the wind..and out of the sight of Romulus. He delays going to bed. Reumus is already tucked up but Rom just senses I am waiting..trying not to show that I really really want him to hop in so I can go.inside and feed the inside family!

19/10/2023

When you let an animal.into your heart you change, and you can change the world.

United in grief…and love

It is with great sadness and in the spirit of unity we learn of the passing of dearest Esther the Wonder Pig. A pig, who, just like our beloved Edgar Alan Pig, oinked her way into her humans’ hearts and guided them in a direction they could never have imagined.

But that, as we know, is what happens when one lets a pig into one’s heart. Reminding them that is the place they truly belong.

There is no doubt that although Esther may be physically gone from this world, her incredible legacy, just like Edgar’s, will long live on in all who came to know her, either directly or through her formidable social media presence.

Esther, dearest lady, you were and shall always be one amazing pig. You inspired millions around the globe to view pigs through a kinder lens. Wear those wings gloriously, as only you can, and please do hook up with that handsome big pink fella; he’ll look after you well, and tell him we still love him beyond measure.

Our sympathies and condolences go out to Steve Jenkins and Derek Walter and all at Happily Ever Esther Farm Sanctuary, as well as to everyone whose hearts too are heavy at this time. We shall hold you in our thoughts and prayers, for although we may be separated by miles, we are united in our grief and our love.

And it is in that love we shall heal. Please take care, everyone.

One has truly never lived until they have loved a pig.

Godspeed, Esther, Godspeed.

"If we could live happy and healthy lives without harming pigs, why wouldn't we?"