By Callum Ludwig
Known for her particularly caring treatment of animals in need, Forever Friends Animal Rescue (FFAR) founder Saskia Adams has been nominated for an award recognising Australia’s Kindest Person.
The award, run by women’s apparel retailer Black Pepper as part of their annual World Kindness Day campaign, aims to find the country’s kindest people, share their stories and hopefully inspire others to live a little kinder each day.
Ms Adams said it was a big surprise to find out she was nominated.
“A volunteer friend of mine decided to put my name forward, even though I haven’t seen her for some years so it was lovely to be reconnected with her after hearing she had nominated me,” she said.
“I would love to think of myself as a kind person, I think we all should be endeavouring to be kind, whether it’s to animals or people. There’s never enough kindness, and it’s certainly something we should all aspire to.”
Since founded in 2011 by Ms Adams, FFAR has gone on to rescue and rehome thousands of animals and has built a 700-plus strong team of dedicated volunteers.
Ms Adams said she shows kindness in her everyday life by rescuing animals who have been abused, neglected and are frightened and abandoned.
“We extend kindness every minute of the day that we work with these animals that have reached the lowest point in their lives and need kindness the most to survive. That is the essence of what we do at Forever Friends,” she said.
“At the sanctuary in the Yarra Ranges, we also have an open door policy to reaching out to local people who might need to come up and experience some animal therapy because people need kindness as much as animals.”
Nominations are open until 30 October and can be made online via www.blackpepper.com.au/world_kindness_day
Ms Adams said kindness connects us all to each other and the kinder we are to others, the more likely we are to receive kindness ourselves.
“If I’m kind to someone today, and that person feels good about themselves because I took that time to be kind, they’re more likely to be kind to the next person as well, or the next animal. We all need to try and set an example to those around us,” she said.
“I’d like to think that in my small leadership role, to the family of volunteers that everyone knows how much I appreciate them, and am grateful for their work as well and hopefully show my kindness to them in exchange for the work they do for us.”
