The Animal Sanctuary

Animal Refuge in New Zealand

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Animal Sanctuary in New Zealand

As a couple we have always been involved in rescuing injured birds and abused animals. When we lived in Auckland, we often worked with bird rescue groups to help transport natives and gave a loving home to a wide variety of animals.

In 2002 we decided to take our passion a step further, and found the perfect site in the hills of Matakana. Our 32 acre property has grazing land to permanently home abused animals, and is bordered by 400 acres of protected bush where we can safely release rehabilitated native birds.

We have our two donkeys, Solomon and Bartholomew, on our header because they were our first rescues. Even before we had opened The Sanctuary we heard from a local donkey rescue group that a home was needed. They moved in the same day that we did, and have been with us ever since.

When we were just getting started, we didn’t plan on working with battery hens, but when we heard that they needed somewhere safe where they could rehabilitate and start over, we took them too. We now have about 100 animals in The Sanctuary: two-legged and four-legged, native and exotic, warm and cold-blooded – all getting the care that they deserve.

We work long hours, and we fund the ongoing costs of food and veterinary care ourselves. On arrival our animals require intensive care and lots of TLC, but one of the most rewarding returns for all our hard work is watching a native bird soar away back to its natural life in the wild. Even our permanent residents are continually amazing us.

Once they’ve overcome their fear – perceiving us at first as being just more humans to mistreat them – they become gentle, trusting and caring. Animals can teach us a lot about forgiveness and being able to love and trust again.

MEET THE ANIMALS

Because there are a number of rescue agencies set up for dogs and cats, The Sanctuary’s primary focus is on other creatures in need of help… and in particular animals that have been ill-treated.

home pigeons  home goat home hen

The Sanctuary has so far provided a safe haven for a variety of donkeys, pigs, goats, battery hens, parrots, ducks, dogs, cats, a turtle and a turkey!

All of these animals were suffering from neglect or direct abuse, and desperately needed a good home with lots of tender loving care. Once these beautiful animals realize that they won’t be hurt any more, they become the most gentle and caring companions with amazing personalities.

Give A Donation

The Sanctuary receives no government funding and is completely supported by donations to the Charitable Trust. If you’d like to make a donation to support our work with injured native birds and abused animals, please help us and make a donation:

By Mail

Send your name and address along with your donation to:

The Animal Sanctuary
441 Govan Wilson Rd
RD5, Warkworth

A receipt confirming your donation will be sent to you in the post.

By Direct Deposit

Direct deposit into The Animal Sanctuary Charitable Trust:

ASB Bank
Account Number:
#12-3026-0327945-00

If you’d like a receipt, please put your name into the code, and then email us your address details.

By Credit Card

Safely use your credit card to make a donation on our Give a Little Profile:

Click Here

By PayPal

Donate securely with PayPal.

You can choose to make a one off donation or even become a monthly donor:

Donate Here

Your donation goes a long way!
  • $6 will buy a bale of hay
  • $15 will buy fish to feed one penguin for two weeks
  • $25 will feed three wood pigeons for a week
  • $33 will buy a bag of Multi Nuts for the goats and pigs
  • $50 will buy painkillers and antibiotics for an injured native bird
  • $90 is one visit from the farrier to trim and treat donkey and horse hooves
  • $200 will buy a large transport cage for injured herons
  • $500 will buy an incubator for our bird hospital

All donations go directly into a registered Charitable Trust and are used to provide food, housing and veterinary care for the injured native birds and rescued animals. All donations of $5 and over are tax deductible. We’ll send you a receipt so that you can get 1/3 of your donation refunded back to you at the end of the tax year.

If you would like to give regularly, you can also become a Sanctuary Supporter and receive special benefits.

Sanctuary Supporters

Would you spare a coffee for the animals?

For the price of one good coffee a month, you can provide real help to injured and orphaned native birds and rescued abused animals.

Become a Sanctuary Supporter with an automatic deduction of $5 or more per month. You will be invited to exclusive Supporters events, can cuddle the animals and visit the birds, and will receive regular photos and updates. And because we are a registered charity, you’ll even receive one-third of your donation each year back from the government. Which means you can join for LESS than a cup of coffee each month!

How To Become a Supporter

1. Go to online banking or to your nearest bank branch.

2. Set up an Automatic Payment of $5 per month or more, to:
Account Name: The Animal Sanctuary Charitable Trust
Account Number: 12-3026-0327945-00
Make sure your name is in the payment code

3. Now that you have signed up for a donation, please fill out the following form with your details so we know the donations are from you, and we can send you updates, invitations, and your tax deductible receipt.

Volunteer With Us

It is only with the help of so many kind people who donated their time and energy that the sanctuary has managed to come so far in such a short time. If you have a genuine interest in helping animals, we would love to hear from you!
Here are just a few areas that we would love your help with:

Carpentry

Do you know how to build shelters, or have experience building housing? We could really use you! The aviaries around the sanctuary always need to be maintained so that they remain predator-proof, and with an increase in bird numbers, we need help expanding the buildings or designing newer and better ones.

Marketing & Fundraising

Organize a party for your circle of friends, hold a stall at a local fair, or even just hand out some flyers at your work – these are easy ways to help us spread the word about the Sanctuary, and gain much-needed donations. We can provide you with pictures, brochures, and loads of ideas, all you need to do is contact us!

Regular Help

Can you spare a couple of hours a week, and live near Matakana? Every week we have new animals coming in, old cages to clean, rehabilitated birds to release, and so much more! We are always looking for reliable volunteers who are happy to muck in and get the job done.

PROVIDE SUPPLIES

supply ducks

The Sanctuary relies on donations from the public to continue helping animals in need, and there are always
things that we are running short of. Any of the below items, in any amount would be greatly appreciated.

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