Can I visit?
Where are you?
How can I get to you?
Is there public transport?
How can I volunteer?
How can I donate?
Is there food on the farm?
Can my dog visit?
Hey, I want to fundraise for you!
Can you take my animal?
Can you take my rooster?
I want to start one too!
Can I visit?
Yes, but will over 250 animals to care for as well as conducting our vital outreach programs we ask you check our Visit Us page
Where are you?
Edgar’s Mission is situated just over an hours drive north of Melbourne. It is nestled in the foothills of the great dividing range just west of Kilmore.
365 McHarg’s Road
Willowmavin, Victoria 3764
Please visit Visiting The Farm for more info.
How can I get to you?
Please visit Getting to Edgar’s Mission for full driving directions.
Is there public transport?
Unfortunately there is no public transport directly to the farm. The closest train station (Kilmore East) is a 20 minute drive from the farm. If you are looking for a way up to the farm on volunteer and open days we recommend posting on our Facebook Page as there are often people carpooling from Melbourne.
How can I volunteer?
Please visit Volunteering at Edgar’s Mission for more info
How can I donate?
There are many ways to donate to Edgar’s Mission.
Please visit our Donations Page for all the information. Please note all donations over $2 are tax deductible and are greatly appreciated.
Is there food on the farm?
At this stage the Mission does not provide catering for human visitors so please pack something to eat and drink however, out of respect for the animal residents, we request that you do not bring meat products.
Can my dog visit?
This is probably one of the most daunting questions we are asked. While we here at Edgar’s Mission love ALL animals… including dogs (several rescued dogs live here) and we are sure we would love yours, but as you would imagine, our first priority is to the rescued animals in our care. Some of our farmed animal residents are very frightened of dogs they don’t know. They have had traumatic experiences in the past and will not understand that your dear pup means them no harm. It is very important to the rehabilitation of our rescued animals that they feel safe. Dogs, like us humans are naturally very excited when they come to visit but unlike us humans many are not able to contain their excitement. This can lead to a distracted human trying to calm their dog and in doing so they may not experience all that Edgar’s Mission has to offer.
So we ask that in the best interests of all that you please leave your K9 family at home.
We thank you for your understanding.
Hey, I want to fundraise for you!
We are indeed heartened to learn of the enthusiasm by caring individuals and groups who wish to help us meet our ever-present need for funds. We are always on the lookout for fund raising ideas that raise money (obviously) but that also give us the opportunity to spread our message of justice and kindness for all animals.
We do ask that any activities you are considering as a fundraiser for Edgar’s Mission are consistent with our values of kindness for all animals, as such we request that they are animal friendly. This would extend to avoiding activities that cause harm and distress to animals, activities that see animals as part of the menu or activities that involve products that have been tested on animals. For example a meat sausage sizzle would be terribly inappropriate for a farmed animal sanctuary, a rodeo that involves live animals or a makeup party that involves cosmetics that were tested on animals or contained animal ingredients would be equally inappropriate.
We understand fully that everyone is at a different stage in their journey of life and while we never wish to tell people what to do or not do in keeping with the spirit of the aims of Edgar’s Mission we cannot support the harming of animals in our name.
This is often something people may not consider but one that is deeply important to us. Even if we were not present at an event, we could not accept donations that cost animal’s lives or contributed to their suffering…the very ones we are trying to save. We hope you can understand our sensitivity to this issue.
Please understand that we do not want to discourage people from considering fund raising for us. It means a lot to us that Edgar’s Mission is important to you and that you support our mission and want to help us in our work.
Can you take my animal?
We can fully understand why many people turn to Edgar’s Mission when they can no longer provide for an animal in their care. This is especially so for those who have been to the sanctuary and have seen the great lengths we go to in order to provide animals not just with a life but life worth living. However, if we were to even attempt to accommodate every request we would be over-run in a day.
The sad reality is, the ark is just about full, and we too have reached the point where we need to rehome animals where possible. Despite the animals thinking we are superhuman, sadly we are not. Should we attempt to provide sanctuary for every single animal that came our way, the reality is we would be of no service to either the animals in our care or the not so fortunate animals for whom we are an advocate. The physical, financial, logistical and emotional duty would cripple us and diminish the care we were able to provide.
When Edgar’s Mission Farm Sanctuary was created, in part, our motivation was to open people’s hearts and minds to what truly wonderful creatures farmed animals really are, rather than merely thinking about them when their lives have ended or the commodities that they can produce. Studies have shown that people will only care about the things that they know about, and if you never have a chance to get to know what farmed animals’ lives are really like, you will never fully understand how the choices we make in our life affect them. As we have found in their ability to suffer, farmed animals are little different to the cats and dogs that share the hearts and homes of so many people. As such, outreach has become a very important part of the work of Edgar’s Mission. Every animal we take in impacts on our ability to fulfill this important charter. And while we would never ever begrudge helping an animal in need we do not wish to encourage people to abdicate their responsibility to the animals in their care. Rescued animals can require many hours of care in the path to their rehabilitation, and these are animals who, but for Edgar’s Mission had nowhere else to turn, and these are the ones for which Edgar’s Mission was created.
We actually would like to think that a day may come when places like Edgar’s Mission are no longer needed, as humans have fulfilled our role as good stewards of the animal kingdom. We do not want to think that in 100 years from now people are still doing the same things we are doing today and trust people will still be working to make the world a better place, but they will have moved on, having conquered the challenges we face today and that this has, in part, been brought about because of the advocacy work organisations like Edgar’s Mission are doing today.
The daily task of caring for the 250 plus residents of the mission, many who have special needs, is no small one indeed and rests with but a few. With this in mind we must be truly watchful to not let our hearts rule our heads and simply keep on taking in every single animal. To do this would see us hurtling down the path of many a hoarder and it would not only severely affect the care we could provide to the animals here but also on our ability to be an advocate for all animals. One of our great challenges is working out which animals need our care and which owners need a hand.
Another important point to be considered is, that if we are truly advocates for animals, we must ensure people realise that animals are not like library books that we simply put back on the shelf or pass to another when we have finished with them. They are living, breathing, thinking and feeling creatures that require a lifetime of care and commitment. Taking in an animal someone no longer wants may well take the place of an abandoned animal who has no one looking out for them. We do, however, encourage people to take ownership of their situation and we will work with them in finding ways to assist with the rehoming process of their animal – after all they are in the best position to know the needs and nuances of the animal in their care.
So here’s a good start. Be wary of advertising “free to good home” on Internet websites or forums. Often people looking for free animals do not have the animal’s best interests at heart. We strongly advise that, where possible, your animal is desexed to ensure that only genuine animal lovers enquire and not someone looking for a breeding proposition. We further highly recommend The Animal Rehoming Service, they offer great tips and advice on rehoming also. If you have obtained your animal from a breeder (who is not breeding animals for food or fibre), we recommend contacting them as they need to be made aware of your situation. They, too, have a duty to the animal they have brought into this world.
Although it may take patience and time to find the right home, as a duty to the animal you have taken responsibility for, it is the least you can do for them. Remember they will have come to see you as a part of their family and will not understand the circumstances calling for their relocation. It will be difficult for them also – they rely on you for everything.
Having said that, we will as always do what is humanly possible to assist but please remember we operate under the constraints of 24 hours in the day, 60 acres of land, limited funds and already 250 animals that need us.
Can you take my rooster?
Please read in conjunction with our Can you take my animal? FAQ
Sadly, this is a request we are hearing all too often and we have reached a point where we simply cannot accommodate every request to take in a rooster. Our ability to take in roosters is really strongly subject to how many we have here at one time. To go beyond this carrying capacity would severely impact on the quality of care we can offer the roosters and the myriad of other rescued animals, as well as the most important animal advocacy work we engage in. It is not as simple as just adding another rooster to the flock as is the case of hens. Large numbers of roosters are problematic to care for, for a number of reasons. Crowing aside, roosters will fight and compete with one another for the hens. Hens can become injured and/or stressed as a result of this. Roosters cannot be safely kept with hens when the ratio imbalance favours the males, a good mix would ideally be one rooster for every five to ten hens, with plenty of room in between. One is unable to safely surgically castrate a rooster and chemical castration, in a bid to reduce aggression, has been shown to be a very costly exercise with an equally poor result.
In cases where we are not able to provide a suitable home for an animal, we work with individuals to assist in the rehoming of the said animal. However, in the case of roosters, chances are the very reasons why you no longer are in a position to keep the rooster will be the same reason no one will wish to take them on.
As an organisation dedicated to the protection of farmed animals, it pains us greatly as we struggle to find a solution for the ever growing problem of unwanted roosters. This is compounded by the fact we personally know what wonderful and quirky little guys roosters are, each and every one an individual. We are most hesitant in regards to rehoming roosters as the only people who tend to want them either wish to eat them, or breed with them, either case is not acceptable to us. In the case of the former, we could never allow this, and in the case of the latter, we would simply be moving the problem on as 50% of the chicks that would hatch would also be roosters and we could then well expect more calls down the track to take in more unwanted roosters.
Something that should be borne in mind by all those involved in breeding animals is, what becomes of the offsprings? As guardians of animals we have duties to those we care for, and also those we bring into this world. It is for this reason we most strongly advise against hatching out chicks, unless you are able to personally provide, or secure, lifelong homes for the resulting chicks, be they hens or roosters. It is totally irresponsible to expect someone else to take on the responsibility for a creature you have brought into being simply because it did not meet your expectations.
We most certainly have nothing against roosters for we have found they have wonderful personalities and most, particularly, endearing ones. They, like any other creature, want to have a good life; one worth living, of meaning and purpose, and we have found them to be intelligent and fun loving and can even learn their name. It is heart breaking to know that our society treats these intelligent birds with such disdain that right now, for every laying hen, a rooster was killed before it got to see the light of its second day of life. Deemed unproductive by the egg laying industry, baby roosters have become an inconvenient by-product so much so that around 11 million are killed each year.
Part of our concern for roosters has seen us embark on our ‘Hatching a good idea‘ campaign – a campaign that seeks to end chicken hatching projects in schools, another huge source of unwanted roosters.
Many of the problems associated with people needing to seek a home for their rooster could have been avoided with a little fore thought before taking the animal one. Please always remember animals are not library books we return to the shelf when finished or swapped for something more interesting.
I want to start one too!
Whilst it is very commendable that people wish to start a sanctuary for rescued animals there are many things to consider beforehand that can prevent much heartache down the track. Here is but a snapshot of a few considerations.
Edgar’s Mission was established, almost unintentionally, under the watchful eye of our inspirational and much-loved first resident, Edgar Alan Pig. The feelings that inspired me to found Edgar’s Mission are likely to be the same feelings that inspire you to start your own sanctuary for rescued farmed animals – our abhorrence for the scale and injustice of suffering inflicted upon many individual farmed animals around the world and the need to not only offer those we can safety, compassion and lives worth living, but to be a much needed voice for those we cannot. We strive for our residents to be ambassadors for their kin whose suffering behind closed doors and gates is out of the sight and minds of most people. And we strive to offer a means for people to learn about farmed animals and what their lives are really like, allowing them to make informed choices that reflect their own sense of justice, kindness and compassion.
While these reasons for starting a farmed animal sanctuary are entirely sound, the undertaking of such a mission must be very carefully considered. It must be understood that in order to provide the best level of care for the animals dependent upon your care, the dedication required is all-consuming.
As the person who is responsible for the entire functioning of the sanctuary, it requires that you spend varying amounts of time cleaning, medicating, socialising, feeding and watering the animals, answering emails and telephone calls, collecting animals, conducting the financial affairs of the organisation, co-ordinating volunteers, promoting your organisation, fundraising for the sanctuary, and a myriad of other day-to-day tasks that take up time, as well as catching a few hours sleep. Not only does this require an enormous physical commitment but an emotional and financial one as well, not to mention an enormous amount of knowledge. The days are long and tiring and days off are few.
None of this is to say that the joy we can bring to these animals’ lives is not worth it, but in order for sanctuaries to provide the best lives they can to their residents, those who operate them must forego most of what most people would call ‘normal lives’.
The practicalities of starting an animal sanctuary are many fold. Firstly, it is essential to own land that is suitable for the animals who will live in your sanctuary. A recent case in England of a sanctuary facing eviction after many years in existence, highlights one of the problems that can be encountered when one does not have clear title to the land. You must also consult the local council to ensure your planned activity complies with council regulations and bylaws. You will also need to consider neighbours. Will they be receptive? The cost and practicalities of installing/erecting suitable housing and fencing, maybe different for each species, and must also be taken into consideration.
Your selection of land will be of critical importance. Things you will need to consider are, but by no means limited to; rainfall, carrying capacity, water supply, natural shelter, distance to veterinary assistance, accessibility, bushfire threats, existing use of the land, existing and proposed use of neighbouring land and current infrastructure.
Once you have the necessary infrastructure, you must have the necessary funds to ensure that you are always able to feed, water and medicate as necessary, all of the animals in your care with a back-up of at least two months’ outgoings in case of emergency. Securing funds involves fund-raising, establishing and encouraging monthly and one-off donations and applying for grants, all of which are labour-intensive.
The administration of a sanctuary must also be considered and this will include applying for, and operating under a not-for-profit or charitable status, obtaining tax-deductible status, and buying public liability insurance if you wish to allow people to visit your sanctuary. You must also ensure that financial matters are taken care of, including receipts for donations, fulfilling statutory requirements, payment of bills, purchase of supplies, etc.
Of course, you will also rescue animals to live in your sanctuary and they will come from many situations. You will hear about terrible situations of neglect, cruelty and abandonment, and you may rescue from stockyards and farmers who would otherwise slaughter the animals. The problem is not finding animals in need of rescue; it is hearing of those who desperately need help and being unable to offer it to them. You will receive many calls from people who want you to help them, and you may find, with a heavy heart, you will have to say “No”. You must know how many animals you are able to care for at any one time and not exceed this limit in order not to compromise the welfare of the existing residents. This will be one of your greatest challenges.
Record keeping will form a large part of your work, both for the farm and animals you care for. For each rescued animal you will need to keep extensive records, where they came from, health status, other pertinent information along with any veterinary treatments you provide.
I hope this information is of use to you, but because of differing circumstances please don’t take it to be an exhaustive account of the requirements of establishing and running a farmed animal sanctuary. Each case will, of course, be very individual.
From experience, I can say with certainly that the mission I undertake now is the hardest path I could have taken in life. It requires dedication to the point of exclusion of many other aspects of life, and frustration, sadness, anger, despondency, tiredness and desperation are felt alongside the joy, satisfaction, pleasure and sense of privilege, that are experienced when spending all day, every day, working on behalf of rescued farmed animals.
Establishing a place of safety and compassion is one of the most rewarding undertakings you could consider. It will bring an enormous amount of joy into your life as well as an enormous amount of hard work. However, the most important thing to consider is that once the animals are in your care, they are your responsibility and they will rely on you for everything. You must never let them down. This is an enormous undertaking.
With very best wishes for your venture – the animals need as many compassionate people working on their behalf as possible. Please also consider lending a hand to an existing sanctuary first.
Pam Ahern