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.
Wally came to the sanctuary in January 2019. He was big and bold and full of personality. Wherever he was placed he would fight with his neighbours, climb over fences or dig underneath. Normally most rabbits calm down after they are desexed but not Wally, he continued to seek his freedom and stir up everyone else.
Wally was finally paired with Lola and although they still have the odd escape, they are content in each others company and love grooming each other.
You can sponsor Wally for $50.00 for 12 months or choose to give a monthly donation for just $5.00 a month. Sponsorship goes towards his twice yearly vaccinations, parasite control and vet checks.
Leonard and his two friends were living in a backyard in Sydney. Their owner didn’t know anything about the keeping of rabbits and they were kept in a small wire fence boundary with no roof and exposed to the elements, it hit 38C there recently and they’re in direct sunlight. Their diet consisted of whatever part of a carrot could fit through the mesh, and whatever faeces-covered grass they could chew on. They did not have access to water, as the owners firmly believed that rabbits don’t drink water and that it would kill them.
Thankfully a neighbour intervened and after trying to educate the owner about rabbits without success he convinced the owner to give the rabbits up, swapping the rabbits for a basketball hoop instead. This good samaratin knew that the rabbits at Big ears are able to live outside as we are free from predators so paid for the rabbits to fly down and get delivered to our door on the 26/12/2019. Whilst they were in his care they would go to sleep in front of their water bowl with their little paws on it, as if afraid of being without water again.
You can sponsor Leonard for $50.00 for 12 months upfront or choose to give a monthly donation of just $5.00 a month ongoing.
Sponsorship goes towards his vet checks, parasite medications and his twice yearly vaccinations.
Baby Willow arrived at the sanctuary around March 2016. He was a wild baby when he was attacked by a cat that broke his leg. When he arrived the leg had healed but had not been set so Baby Willow walks a little bit like a crab. He has no pain and gets around as fast as his pen mate Toffee.
You can sponsor Baby Willow for $50.00 for 12 months upfront or choose to give a monthly donation of just $5.00 a month ongoing.
Sponsorship goes towards his vet checks, parasite medications and his twice yearly vaccinations.
Sniggers was surrendered on the 3rd August 2019. He was approx. 5 years old and had been kept in a shed. His diet had been poor and he was scared of all other animals. Sniggers went to the vet on the 5th August where his leg was x-rayed showing no break. It was revealed that the ‘bent leg’ was most likely a congenital growth defect that although looked awful, was actually causing no pain. There was no swelling or heat detected. His leg should have been splinted when he was a lamb. His temp, teeth and health were great although he was obese.
Sniggers has now adapted to a suitable diet for sheep, he has had his vaccinations, hoof trim, drenched, back lined and has now been shorn.
Sponsorship of Sniggers is $100.00 upfront for 12 months or just $10 a month. Sponsorship will go towards his drench, hoof trimming and shear.
Cotton came to Big Ears in June 2019 after her owners had to flee a family violence situation. Cotton is now safe with us and has happily settled in. She has now been vet checked, de-sexed, vaccinated, wormed and flea treated. She has completed her time in quarantine and is now ready to go on bunny dates to find her perfect match. Once matched she will live with her partner in an outside pen.
Cotton now lives with Harley in an outside pen.
Sponsorship of Cotton is $50.00 upfront for 12 months or just $5.00 a month. Sponsorship goes goes towards her parasite controls and twice yearly vaccinations.
Maria Rita was found on the side of the road on a cold Monday night at the beginning of September 2018. The police officer that found her thought it might just be a matter of putting her back over the fence with her flock. When he shone his torch over the fence there was no flock in sight and no nearby farm house. He called Big Ears and we picked her up and started her on the bottle.
She has been an absolute pleasure and one of the healthiest lambs we have had the pleasure to raise. She needs to have a surgical removal of her tail as it is much more humane than banding the tail.
Sponsorship of Maria Rita is $100.00 upfront for 12 months or just $10 a month. Sponsorship will go towards her drench, hoof trimming and shear.
