By Callum Ludwig
Forever Friends Animal Rescue in Gladysdale are appealing for more volunteers to join and help them care for animals in any way they can.
FFAR has rescued and rehabilitated over 10,000 animals since its inception in 2011, despite being a volunteer organisation with no government funding. They care for any and all animals at their 100-acre animal rehabilitation sanctuary.
Co-Founder Saskia Adams said they are looking for people who are willing to fill a variety of roles.
“We’re looking for everything from dog walkers to kitten cuddlers, to people that like to help with animal feeds, horse brushing, cleaning stables,” she said.
“Without volunteers, and particularly people who live nearby, we cannot function and cannot help any of the animals in need, we want to reach out more to the local community to let them know we are here.”
FFAR has been located in Gladysale for four years and recently received approval from the Yarra Ranges Council to open rehabilitation kennels and a rehabilitation cattery, as well as work with farm animals.
Ms Adams said she finds animal lovers who come and volunteer at FFAR get a lot out of it.
“A lot of people come here and say they really benefit from a change of scenery, meeting new friends, the therapy that animals provide us. And we have people that visit also with disabilities who are very welcome, who spend time with the animals and interact with them,” she said.
“I think a sense of community is a really wonderful thing you can gain by working here and being part of a wider organisation that is making the world a better place for animals.”
FFAR is one of the very few volunteer organisations nationwide who try to take in any animal, rather than focusing on caring for dogs or cats or particular species. They were recently recognised by Pet Insurance as the Oustanding Rescue Group for 2021 in their Companion Animal Rescue Awards as well as Ms Adams herself having received the Community Hero Award in the 2021 Community Achievement Awards in March this year.
Ms Adams said with the current circumstances facing animal rescuers like FFAR, it is vital more volunteers get involved.
“We found in the last month as lockdowns and restrictions have lifted that a lot more dogs and cats are being dumped at pounds and shelters, and we think it can be attributed probably to a lot of the people that perhaps adopted or bought a puppy or a kitten on a whim during lockdowns and have found the burden too great now they aren’t always home,” she said.
“Without enough volunteers, we simply have to turn animals away if we know we cannot meet all of their needs. We always have a waiting list, particularly of dogs and cats, to come into care and it’s heartbreaking when we do have to say no, but with more community involvement, we can say yes more often.”
To get involved, visit www.foreverfriends.org.au and for those who cannot donate their time, there are options to donate, foster or sponsor animals.
