Opinion: How Storybook Farm’s facade betrayed our trust
When news of Storybook Farm broke, my mother called me in tears, my best friend was devastated, writes Amanda Robbemond. Online, people were much the same. But just why were we so upset about it?
Opinion
Don't miss out on the headlines from Opinion. Followed categories will be added to My News.
FOR years we scrolled through Storybook Animal Farm’s Facebook page and delighted in how disabled dogs were getting a second chance at life.
They took on dachshunds with IVDD (a spinal injury), a French Bulldog beaten so badly her eyes had to be removed, a blind staffy and featherless chickens which were then donated jumpers to keep warm.
Anything that came through Storybook Farm’s doors was given that needed second chance.
Or so we thought.
VIDEO REVEALS THE SHOCKING CONDITIONS STORYBOOK ANIMALS WERE FOUND IN
Earlier this week, the Bulletin broke the story that the RSPCA had raided the beloved charity, which had recently moved up to north Brisbane from Canungra after months of seeking a new refuge.
OTHER NEWS:
Coast fast rail: What Labor plans to do
Shock fire ant outbreak closes popular sports field
Plans for former Bully site revealed
Inspectors allegedly walked into filth. The owner didn’t want to let them onto the property initially I’m told — and now we know why.
Disabled dogs were confined to small kennels. In the video, one staffy can be seen hugging the fence line, faeces smeared against the wall, before toppling over.
PEOPLE OUTRAGED AFTER GIVING UP PETS TO STORYBOOK
Dachshunds were also kept in a tiny, filthy pen. Outside beds were in disgusting condition.
Horses were underweight, their ribs poking out underneath their rough hair.
The only animals in good condition on the property, were the owner’s very own pets.
As I watched the video, I was momentarily confused — it looked more like a horrific backyard breeding operation than a rescue sanctuary.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE GOLD COAST BULLETIN — JUST $1 FOR THE FIRST 28 DAYS
But I was even more amazed at the reaction to the story and the disturbing footage released soon after.
Hearts across the city and indeed the nation, were shattered in a way I hadn’t seen before when it came to animals.
My mother texted, then called me in tears. My best friend was at a loss. Other friends discussed how they had never noticed anything odd about the charity.
Online, people were much the same and it soon gave way to anger.
How long had we been deceived for?
STORYBOOK FARM FAVOURITE KRUMM DIES
What had all that donated money been put towards?
Why did this happen in the first place?
But I also think, why are we so upset about this?
Animals are killed every day to be eaten and few blink an eye.
Children are abused by their parents, kids are bullied by their peers.
Yes, those things are all horrific and tragic.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE GOLD COAST BULLETIN — JUST $1 FOR THE FIRST 28 DAYS
But Storybook Farm was a glimmer of hope, a ray of light in the difficult world of animal rescue where it is nearly impossible to save every abused or neglected creature.
The charity was supposed to be a sanctuary, a refuge. Animals were supposed to live out their happily ever afters there.
In the end, Storybook Farm was a community effort of fundraising and donations, an operation built on trust — and that trust was thrown back in our faces that Wednesday.
Hopefully we can piece back that trust together soon because there are other legitimate rescues out there and they will need our help.
Join the conversation
‘Qld doesn’t want daylight savings – the debate is done and dusted’
It’s the annual daylight saving debate, fresh with an Olympic twist. HAVE YOUR SAY
Read more
A year since October 7, what has happened to Australia?
As protests around the world mark a year since the October 7 attack on Israel, US correspondent Tom Minear says he does not recognise how Australia has changed since then.
Read more