Community & Business
26 June, 2021
Help needed at Tableland foster farm
THE FNQ Foster Farm (FFF), the 'home of new beginnings" for all the farm animals that others discard for a whole lot of reasons, needs help.
BY SALLY TURLEY
THE FNQ Foster Farm (FFF), the 'home of new beginnings" for all the farm animals that others discard for a whole lot of reasons, needs help.
They are seeking volunteers to work four-hour shifts on Monday 28 and Tuesday 29 June at the Atherton Show.
The FFF will be working the Robert Street gate scanning pre-purchased tickets via an app on an android device, giving wristbands and ensuring everyone purchasing a ticket at the gate checks in with the QR Code. There will be a security guard at each gate to help out with this.
They need a minimum three people for each four hour shift: 8am-12pm, 12-4pm, 4-8pm Monday and 8am-12pm and 12pm-4pm Tuesday.
Volunteers will receive free entry into the show and the Atherton Show Society will make a donation to FNQ Foster Farms.
A big heart and a big cheque book are the ideal combination if you plan to start up an animal rescue facility. Sue Ehrmann of FNQ Foster Farms, Yungaburra is certainly not lacking in the heart department, but unfortunately her desire to help is constantly impacted by her budget.
Sue and her team do the work they do because it feeds their souls and as much as they would like to say their services were no longer needed, that is far from the case.
"With more desperate animals coming in every month, and not enough going out, the need for what we do seems to be growing more all the time. The animal sanctuary offers a safe haven for horses, livestock and wildlife.
“We specialise in the rescue, rehabilitation, retraining and re-homing of off - the-track thoroughbreds (OTTs).
But FFF also caters for pigs, guinea pigs, sheep, ducks, chickens, birds and other livestock and wildlife. We only exclude domestic animals such as cats, dogs and roosters, and animals requiring specialised care including bats.
“We have successes, rehabilitating and re-homing animals along the way, but we believe real success is when the community doesn't need us anymore and when all animals have a home that both values and mentors that animal to be the best it can be,” Ms Ehrmann said.
The FFF story started with Charlie the abandoned horse, who was left at an agistment property and was eventually turned out by the property owners.
No one wanted an 18HH, unhandled thoroughbred and he faced being shot where he stood. FFF came to the rescue, loading him on a truck to bring him home.
His feet had not been done for years and were huge. Isolated as he had been, he was so excited to see another horse, he had thought he was the only one left on the planet.
"Charlie was so kind hearted and easy to work with and ride. We successfully re-homed him to a home daycare and he became their mascot. He was a big, gentle giant who loved kids and would suck on their hair if they stood too close to the fence.
“But, every month we have to find money to pay for the rental property and our feed bill which is usually over $2,300. We desperately need good homes for the animals in care and hay and feed for those in rehabilitation so we never have to refuse a pony because we are full up and over stretched.
We have started offering ridden sponsorship of select FFF Forever horses. If you've always wanted your own horse, but are an inexperienced rider or have nowhere to keep them, sponsorship may be for you.
Have your cake and eat it too — avoid ownership costs like riding gear, horse-float and rugs, plus the workload of day-to-day care. Have your own horse to ride when you want. We even encourage you to take them to events and spread the word about FFF's work,” Ms Ehrmann said.
FFF are also looking for help with their Friday 23 – Saturday 24, July pop-up fundraiser at Yungaburra Community Hall, their Saturday 28 August Yungaburra Butchery sausage sizzle, their Friday 1 October Goose Club at Yungaburra Hotel and they hope to confirm a date and venue for their Annual Trivia Night in the near future.
Their ongoing EcoForce Global Fundraiser is an opportunity for supporters to help the environment as a bonus when they make a contribution — every time a tree is purchased through this live link, the FFF fundraising tally increases by $11.
“We are thankful for the support we have been receiving from some local organisations, but demand for feed continues growing and we need to share the load a little if possible. Check out our website and contact us if you would like to help save some animal lives,” Sue Ehrmann said.
