Running a sanctuary takes more than pats, cuddles and kisses. It also takes a lot of money. As a not for profit registered charity we rely on the goodwill of those who care about animals. Every day expenses include feed, shelters, medication, cleaning, veterinary assistance, and fencing. These costs add up and any donation, no matter how big or small, will help the animals. We are a No Kill Sanctuary which means that animals that are not suitable to be re-homed, or have special needs stay here for the remainder of their lives.
Sponsorship does not cover the full cost of caring for the animals, nor does it take into account their feeding costs. It is with this in mind that Big Ears encourages the animals to be sponsored by more than one sponsor.
We understand that an upfront payment doesn’t suit everybody so for less than most people spend on coffee you can choose ongoing monthly payments from as little as $5.00 per month.
Sponsors are sent a laminated certificate with the name and photo of the sponsored animal thanking them for their sponsorship as well as a Big Ears sticker.
Big Ears would really love some corporate sponsorship to help with ongoing costs. 100% of all donations is spent on the animals – there are no wages paid, all staff are volunteers.
Plugger lived for many years with his elderly human who had set up a wonderful environment for him where he literally lived up a tree but would climb down for his food. Plugger cannot fly as he only has one wing, we aren’t sure what happened to his wing as he has been like this for as long as anyone who knows him can remember. Sadly his human dad had to move into a nursing home and then passed away. Plugger was re-homed to Big Ears so he can live out his life happily with friends. Plugger lives with Rocky and Charlie and is definitely the boss. His previous diet was not good and he lived on biscuits like bbq shapes etc. Big Ears had all the birds health checked by an avian vet and it was found that Plugger was extremely overweight and was facing some serious health issues due to this. After a complete overhaul of all the birds diet, Plugger has blossomed and has lost weight and gained agility. In addition, many of Plugger’s feathers have also grown back. When he arrived at Big Ears he was missing many feathers that were probably missing due to his poor diet. Plugger now has a full coverage of feathers and looks great.
Sponsorship of Plugger is $100 for twelve months or just $10 a month ongoing. This goes towards his vet checks and parasite control.
Alfie was found in a suburban backyard after landing there and not leaving. His owners could not be found. He then lived with his new family for many years but due to their age and the noise he made, he needed to find a new home where he could squark as much as he liked. Alfie arrived with severe feather loss, possibly from diet or anxiety/boredom or both. Cockatoos are very clever birds and need constant stimulation in their lives otherwise they can become destructive, noisy and self harm. Alfie’s owners recognised it was time for Alfie to find a new environment where he could live out his days with a few friends.
Alfie now lives at Big ears in an aviary with Cocky (a 50+ year old cockatoo) and he loves her very much. They are often seen digging the same hole together and grooming each other. The best news is that after some change to diet and environment enrichment Alfie’s feathers have started to grow back. We weren’t sure this would happen given the severe damage he had done to himself.
Sponsorship of Alfie is $100 for twelve months or just $10 a month ongoing. This goes towards his vet checks and parasite control.
Rocky came to the sanctuary in 2011 after she had been attacked by dogs and could no longer fly. She lives with Plugger and Charlie and is the quiet one of the group. She loves chewing sunflower seeds when no one is watching.
You can sponsor Rocky for $100.00 for 12 months or choose to give a monthly donation of just $10.00 a month. Sponsorship goes towards her vet checks and parasite control.
Pippo came to Big Ears in 2016 after his elderly humans could no longer look after him. He had originally been found on the road. Pippo loves to say his name and dance in his enclosure. He can also speak some Italian.
He is often found in the Education Centre having morning tea with the volunteers.
Sponsorship of Pippo is $100 for twelve months or just $10 a month ongoing. This goes towards his vet checks and parasite control.
Charlie is one of the biggest characters on the farm. His age is unknown but he seems to have had a number of owners in his time. He once lived at a trucking company as he is able to make many truck noises as well as the sound of an outside telephone. He also makes the sound of a very bad cough. Charlie was rescued by a lady in the South of the State who had noticed Charlie at a local nursery she visited. Charlie was in a small cage and not thriving and appeared to be depressed. He had become aggressive due to the number of fingers and things poked at him during the day by passers by. The lady arranged with the owners for Charlie to be surrendered and to move to Big Ears to live, which he has done so now for approximately 3 years.
Charlie is a wonderful bird but also a reminder to us that these creatures belong in the wild and not in a cage. Charlie is unable to be released at this stage and to do so would mean his death. He is totally reliant on people to feed him and would not have the stamina to fly long distances and keep his weight up on the food he would be trying to find in the wild. Please never release a bird, find a place that is able to work towards a slow release and is able to assess the birds ability and skills re survival.
Sponsorship of Charlie is $100 for twelve months or just $10 a month ongoing. This goes towards his vet checks and parasite control.
Cocky is well over 50 years old and previously lived in the one place his whole life.
Cocky now lives at Big Ears where he spends his days chewing tree stumps which is his favourite thing to do, that and yelling out and screeching when his friends fly over.
Sponsorship of Cocky is $100 for twelve months or just $10 a month ongoing. This goes towards his vet checks and parasite control.
