Poplar Springs Animal Sanctuary

It will still be a long time until we can afford to look for land to buy for an animal sanctuary, but me and David are constantly exploring our options and planning out how all this is going to take shape. Most recently we have been considering the ideal location for our Australian farm animal sanctuary.

There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing the ideal location for an animal sanctuary.

1. Animal Requirements – It is very important to have an idea of what animals you will be offering sanctuary to. David and I are planning to start a farm animal sanctuary, as well as taking in smaller animals, such as rabbits, guinea pigs and rats! So we will need to find a property with enough land to support animals such as cows, horses, sheep, pigs and goats along with existing outbuildings or space to build outbuildings to offer shelter for the animals and enclosures for the smaller animals.

Therefore, when choosing our property we will have to consider the needs of these animals and ensure there is an adequate environment for them. This means me and David need to start reading up on the proper care of these animals. We already know we will need multiple paddocks, so that we can rotate the animals, to stop overgrazing, especially with animals like pigs, that just love to root around.

Ideally we will also need a pond on site for the ducks and geese. It is possible to add one, but this could be expensive.

2. Legal Zoning - We have to ensure that we are allowed to use the land we purchase for an animal sanctuary. Some land may be too near a residential area, or it could be part of a National Park where you are not allowed to keep domestic animals. Many beautiful areas in Australia are National Parks, so this is something to be aware of.

Other than legal issues, there are neighbours to consider. There is bound to be noise from the animals and we want to avoid complaints and possible problems. However there should be vehicular access to the land, so it can’t be completely secluded.

3. Money, Money, Money – This is currently a massive concern for us, as I am sure it is for anyone who is planning to start an animal sanctuary, or indeed to purchase any land or property. At first we will probably not have enough money to purchase a huge amount of land, so we want to make sure we have room to expand at a later date, when we are able to fund raise . We are currently browsing different areas and property prices. The drier areas are cheaper, but then there may be drought and water concerns. This will take more research, but we will probably be starting off on a shoestring budget.

4. Tourism – Although when you get into the middle of nowhere prices are low, it is handy to be near a major city, or attraction so that we can encourage visitors. Not only would this be a great fundraiser, but it would help spread the message of veganism and encourage positive encounters with previously farmed animals. Easy access is also important so that new animals can easily be brought in and animals can be comfortably transported to new homes. It will be a challenge to balance price (which is always cheaper far from cities) with public access, which will be far better near to a city.

5. Environmental Factors – As much as I love Australia, it can be a harsh place to live, especially for the wildlife, which suffers in bush fires. David and I will have to check chances of bush fire, floods and drought before purchasing a property. We will also have to develop a bush fire evacuation plan just in case.

So, apart from the huge amount of saving we have to do, David and I have a ton of research waiting ahead of us. I can’t wait to get started!