Giving Tuesday, one of the most important days of the year on our fundraising calendar, is in just four days and the story of little Bahati will explain why this year we have a very special appeal. Our ADI Wildlife Sanctuary may have been built for the lions and tigers we rescue as we secure more and more bans on animal circuses, but it has also become a beacon of hope for countless other animals.
Our rescued animal family has grown to include dogs, horses, donkeys, cows, pigs, chickens, turkeys, geese, a peacock, and 115 rescued baby tortoises currently in our nursery, with many adults released on site. We are playing a vital role in enforcing cruelty laws and cracking down on animal trafficking in a region where it is desperately needed. When animals are being seized from abusers who are being prosecuted, there is often simply nowhere for them to go, and that was how it was for little Bahati.
During an investigation about a monkey being kept illegally, the local Virginia SPCA came across a horrific sight. A young calf left tied up in the back of a pick-up truck, so tightly bound that she was struggling to breathe. The SPCA called us. We helped untie the calf and released her in the paddock next to Matilda the cow and her family of sheep and goats. As soon as Matilda saw her, she rushed over and took on the role of foster mom. Two days later, we found the young calf calmly grazing with Matilda and family; she had climbed the fence!
Cruelty charges have been brought against two men and we are hopeful they will be convicted. Another small but important victory as South African animal protection legislation edges forward.
We have named the little calf “Bahati” – Swahili for ‘lucky’. We are sure you will agree, animals like Bahati deserve a second chance, and it is important to enforce anti-cruelty laws – our sheep were saved as they were taken to be brutally sacrificed at a political rally; Waldo the goose was saved from a tiny cage made from a shopping trolly; and horses Apollo, Amani and Crockett were rescued after being cruelly hobbled to immobilize them.
Our group of non-predator rescues is now so large, with such a variety of species, we have reached the point where, without facilities for new arrivals, we will no longer be able to help.
This Giving Tuesday, we are therefore asking for funds for a new Non-Predator Reception Area with four 1,600sqft paddocks and four 9,000sqft paddocks. Each with a stable/shelter and water supply, enabling us to receive and assess animals as they arrive.
For animals who roam the Sanctuary, this will also provide night and feeding quarters. For others, it may be a temporary home where they receive care before returning to the wild. We need to raise $44,310/£33,650. Can you help?
EXCITING NEWS: One of our ADIWS Founders has kindly offered a $25,000 MATCHING GRANT for this project. So, every donation will be DOUBLED and will get us to our goal twice as fast! Even the cost of a cup of coffee will quickly add up!
We cannot hit our target without your help, please give what you can today and get us going on the way to Giving Tuesday. Thank you for ensuring we were there when Bahati needed help, now I hope you can help others like her.
ADI Wildlife Sanctuary 