Brightside Farm Sanctuary ‘overwhelmed and moved’ by flurry of public support
An overnight tidal wave of donations to a hardworking group of animal rescuers has supported the desperate, burnt out staff in their mission to continue saving and rehoming creatures in need. HOW YOU CAN HELP >>
Tasmania
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An overnight tidal wave of donations to a hardworking group of animal rescuers has supported the desperate, burnt out staff in their mission to continue saving and rehoming vulnerable creatures.
Brightside Farm Sanctuary founder Emma Haswell posted on Facebook yesterday “putting it all on the line” asking for donations to the animal rescue operation.
“Please consider a tax deductible donation to help keep us doing what we do best which is saving animals lives, rehabilitating them and finding them beautiful and loving homes,” the post read.
Since the fundraiser was posted online yesterday to raise money to keep staff in operation around the clock, the $50,000 target was vastly exceeded by 1,293 donors to reach $68,265.14.
Ms Haswell thanked the community for their influx of funds and warm messages.
“I am totally overwhelmed and moved by the incredible response to our fundraiser. The donations, the comments on our Facebook page and the messages have been so kind,” she said.
“Brightside Farm Sanctuary has a very strong support base on social media. Without these people we could not exist as Brightside receives no funding and relies 100 per cent on support from the public.”
Ms Haswell said the Cygnet based charity rehomed about 600 animals a year including 150 greyhounds.
“We are the largest (rehoming facilitators) of greyhounds in Tasmania and the only group to do intensive cat training and off lead testing with small dogs,” she said.
INITIAL:
May 4, 2021 10.18am
Staff at Brightside Farm Sanctuary are experiencing burnout and post-traumatic stress, and are desperate for donations to continue rescuing cuddly creatures.
Emma Haswell bought an empty 50 acre paddock at Cygnet 15 years ago to create a sanctuary for abused and mistreated animals, ranging from greyhounds to puppies to ponies.
“I have worked six to seven days a week usually ten hours a day ever since and I have had just three weeks holiday during that time,” she said in a Facebook post yesterday.
“It’s been a rewarding but exhausting journey.
“I have rescued and rehomed over 10,000 animals and exposed horrific cruelty in factory farms. I have documented cruelty in puppy farms, horse sale yards, pig, chicken, rabbit and turkey factory farms which has left me unfortunately with post traumatic stress disorder.”
Ms Haswell said despite her successes over the years with workshops, reform and recognition for her achievements, she needed urgent help to keep the charity running.
“I’m calling out to you today to help us keep doing what we are doing,” she said.
“Today we are looking to raise $50,000 to keep our rescue going, to be able to answer those calls for help whether it be in the morning or the middle of the night.
“Just $5 from each and every one of you would get us to our goal. It’s the cost of your next cup of coffee but one that will help save a life.”
Ms Haswell said she and the four casual staff were experiencing “severe burnout” keeping the sanctuary in operation.
“I cannot go on like this,” she said.
Since uploading the fundraiser yesterday, the $50,000 target has already been smashed by 1,218 donors to reach $64,802.64 this morning.
See the fundraiser here.
Originally published as Brightside Farm Sanctuary ‘overwhelmed and moved’ by flurry of public support
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