Strong Hearts Farm Sanctuary (2025)

21/08/2025

A new friend, a safe home🦚💚

Imagine wanting to keep your animal on your property so badly that instead of making a safe space for them to live, you decide to mutilate their wings so they can’t fly or exhibit natural behaviours?

This is what happened to poor Amigo. However, the joke is on his previous humans because Amigo still managed to escape. After being reported as a stray, he was caught and brought to safety, impounded for 8 days and that’s when we received the request to take him in.

With little Rafiki, another stray peacock found and handed in a few months ago, we felt Amigo would be a great companion for him and of course, we said yes.

But we’d be lying if we said weren’t completely horrified when Amigo arrived and we saw the butchering of his wings. Not only that, poor Amigo had 2 thin pieces of wire, one on each leg looped intentionally like some kind of band. It served no clear purpose and we can only assume he was tethered by these wire pieces. It was a miracle they weren’t cutting into his legs.

Amigo spent a little time quarantining away from other birds and animals and was wormed, lice treated and carefully checked over for any hidden issues. The wire was removed from his legs and now we wait and see if his wings will grow back properly.

For now, Amigo is comfortable and his personality is already shining. Although he was nervous and flighty to begin, he is such a brave boy and now eats from our hands and curiously watches everything we do!

We can’t wait to watch a friendship between him and Rafiki blossom 🦚💚

If you would like to support us, please consider donating, sharing or volunteering 🥰

Strong Hearts Farm Sanctuary
BSB: 633 000
Account number: 180 405 532

www.strongheartssanctuary.org/donate

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=WJ8SSQ2SEAL5G&fbclid=IwAR1o7GmxfAk_U18KQDGmj4BXauVlhV0AndQg-61jb1OwtVAT6mfv85IVQnU

21/08/2025

🐐🌍 World Goat Day 🌍🐐

We’re a bit late but, today we celebrate goats – one of humanity’s very first domesticated animals, dating back over 10,000 years.
For millennia, humans have used goats for milk, meat, fibre, hides, and even ritual sacrifice. Sadly, this long history has meant goats are often seen as resources rather than the amazing, intelligent, affectionate beings they truly are.

Here in Australia, goats still face immense hardship. Australia is actually the world’s largest exporter of live goats, with thousands shipped overseas every year. In rural areas, wild or “rangeland” goats are often shot or left to die rather than given a chance at life.

That’s why every goat who makes it to sanctuary is so precious. 💚

Meet some of our incredible permanent residents:

✨ Artax – a rangeland goat who escaped a grim fate and ended up impounded. Instead of being shot or forgotten, he was given a second chance and came to us. Now, this once-nervous boy is the first to meet us at the gate, always ready for love and treats.

✨ Denzel – scarred from tethering and possible botched castration, Denzel had every reason not to trust humans. Yet, he’s chosen to give us his trust anyway. After ongoing vet work and recovery, he’s now joined the big goat paddock, where his calm, gentle spirit shines.

✨ Stevie – after a terrible accident left her with a compound fracture, Stevie faced euthanasia as her only option. We were contacted just in time to step in and offer life-saving surgery. With one less leg but endless resilience, Stevie tells us every day that she’s simply happy to be alive.

These three remind us that goats are not commodities, but individuals — survivors with stories, personalities, and hearts as big as any companion animal.

This World Goat Day, we celebrate them for who they are, not what they can “provide.”
💖 Thank you to everyone who helps us give goats like Artax, Denzel, and Stevie the life they deserve.

You can support our goats by volunteering, donating, adopting or simply sharing their stories.

https://www.strongheartssanctuary.org/farm-adoption

PayPal: PayPal.me/strongheartsfs

Direct deposit:
Strong Hearts Farm Sanctuary
BSB: 633 000
Account number: 180 405 532

21/08/2025

Adopt us! 🐄💖🌱

Mango & Melon are searching for their forever home – and they’re so ready to be loved like the big, beautiful ladies they’re growing into!

This Friesian duo aren’t just friends – they’re family. Having grown up side by side, they’re inseparable soul sisters who must be adopted together.

Mango is the bold explorer, always first in line for snacks and scratches, while Melon is the gentle thinker, happiest once she’s earned your trust. Together, they balance one another perfectly – outgoing and thoughtful, playful and calm.

Their favourite things? Treats (of course!) and endless scratches – neck, chin, or rump, they’ll stand blissfully still soaking up the attention.

These girls aren’t looking for a paddock to be forgotten in – they’re looking for a family who will cherish them for life. With space to graze, room to roam, and hearts full of love to share, Mango & Melon will reward their special home with laughter, loyalty, and an endless supply of affection.

💛 Could you be the forever family Mango & Melon deserve?

Read more about them here: https://www.strongheartssanctuary.org/shfs-for-adoption/mango-%26-melon

Or apply to adopt: https://form.jotform.com/212934582448867

19/08/2025

🫶🏼 Ever thought about volunteering? 🫶🏼

We’re looking for committed individuals who want to help animals! No matter your experience or ability, there is a place at Strong Hearts Farm Sanctuary for everyone.

Volunteer work can vary hugely, from admin roles to physical roles with animals, helping with larger projects or assisting with fundraising events. One day you may be feeding a lamb or mucking out a stable, the next day you may be building a shelter! No two days are the same and we always try to afford time to cuddle the animals too!

We are based near Warragul and look forward to building our team and creating beautiful spaces for our animal friends to live ♥️

If you are able to volunteer and can commit to at least 1 day a month, please fill in the below application form! Once filled out, please send us a DM 🥰

https://form.jotform.com/230081433900848

19/08/2025

🆘 Our oldest resident needs your help! 🆘

Old lady Lily has had 3 episodes of choke in the last week and we urgently need help to cover her medical care and future diagnostics.

Nothing has changed about Lily’s diet to suggest why she has been choking and our vet has said if it happens again then she needs to be scoped to investigate. We are praying she doesn’t have a growth impeding her ability to swallow.

Lily is now over 40 years old but besides the sudden choke episodes, still has a big spring in her step and maintaining great body condition. If we’re a moment late with breakfast then she will stare us down through the kitchen window until it’s received! She has been with us for around 9yrs now and she is truly so special. After a life in the hands of a rough, aggressive man and bred to within an inch of her life, Lily deserves every bit of care we can offer in her twilight years.

We have yet to receive the bills for the last 3 visits but we know an equine consult and call out fee is just shy of $255 including the travel charges. Our current outstanding amount prior to these new bills is $942.95.

Please help Lily 🙏🏼 No donation is too small. If you can’t donate, please share our sweet old lady ❤️‍🩹

Ref: Lily
Strong Hearts Farm Sanctuary
BSB: 633 000
Account number: 180 405 532

www.strongheartssanctuary.org/donate

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=WJ8SSQ2SEAL5G&fbclid=IwAR1o7GmxfAk_U18KQDGmj4BXauVlhV0AndQg-61jb1OwtVAT6mfv85IVQnU

18/08/2025

☘️ Welcome Shamrock ☘️

This darling boy recently lost his alpaca paddock companion and became incredibly distressed with grief.

His humans worried for him, noticing he had stopped eating and was not acting himself at all. Knowing they couldn’t get another alpaca, Shamrock’s humans reached out to us to surrender him and when we heard his sad story, we couldn’t turn him away.

Shamrock’s human family made a plan to bring him to us and when a family member went to get him with a horse float, they were met with a devastating scene. Shamrock was seen laying next to his friends burial site, vocalising in distress - grief emanating from him.

It was all we could do not to cry for his loss and loneliness.

Upon arrival, Shamrock was a little shell shocked from the ordeal of losing his friend and travelling by float to a brand new environment. We ushered him gently to a safe pen where we could monitor him settling in and address his disinterest in food.

He was alarmingly thin, likely from going off his food and also a parasite burden that we discovered when doing a f***l egg count.

Despite everything and with new animal friends neighbouring his pen, Shamrock started to eat by the evening. He tried a little bit of everything we offered but still lacked enthusiasm. Over the next couple of days, Shamrock started to settle in and we discovered lucerne chaff was a big hit!

This brave boy is now eating consistently well and we have everything crossed for a steady improvement in body condition.

To help us continue assisting animals like Shamrock, please consider donating or sharing 🥰☘️

Ref: Shamrock
Strong Hearts Farm Sanctuary
BSB: 633 000
Account number: 180 405 532

www.strongheartssanctuary.org/donate

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=WJ8SSQ2SEAL5G&fbclid=IwAR1o7GmxfAk_U18KQDGmj4BXauVlhV0AndQg-61jb1OwtVAT6mfv85IVQnU

17/08/2025

🏡 Adopt Me! 🐴

Nina has been waiting for a special home for some time now and we really hope there’s someone out there for her!

After being seized by council from a hoarding situation, Nina arrived full of anxiety, suspicion and didn’t want to be anywhere near humans.

As we know, time is a wonderful thing and Nina has made a complete turnaround and grown in confidence like you wouldn’t believe. From being impossible to catch in the paddock, let alone handle, she now seeks us out, enjoying human company and so eager to learn!

Suspicion has been thrown to the wind and now Nina is one of the first to the gate with curious eyes and a new nose for sneaky little pocket treats!

Someone out there needs to take a chance on Nina because she wants and deserves to be loved 💙

Apply here if you could be Nina’s new future: https://form.jotform.com/212935094928869

https://www.strongheartssanctuary.org/shfs-for-adoption/nina

17/08/2025

🦙 Wren, Obasi and Damoon are searching for their forever and you won’t find many boys more handsome! 🏡

Coming from a rural pound with 9 ladies, the boys needed to stack on some kilos and receive routine care that they hadn’t received in a long time.

Now that they’re healthy, castrated and up to date with their health care, they are looking for a new family to call their own.

Like most alpacas, they are reserved but curious. They love a cheeky treat of alpaca muesli and will trot over to eat out of your hands - but Wren will devour everything if you let him!

These boys can’t wait to start their next adventure 💙

For more info, follow the link: https://www.strongheartssanctuary.org/shfs-for-adoption/obasi

Apply here: https://form.jotform.com/233008152805852

Or message us with any questions 🥰

16/08/2025

Wishing we could all be chewing our cud blissfully in the morning sun!

But that job is reserved for Jasper, one of our permanent residents who was surrendered a few years ago due to chronic foot rot.

Although he was dearly loved, his humans couldn’t manage his feet due to their consistently wet paddocks and after countless treatments with no success, they were running out of options and their vet eventually recommended euthanasia. In a bid to give their beautiful boy his best chance, they chose to part with him and entrust him to us.

Jasper needs his feet tending to much more frequently than our other sheep friends. He is a Damara, a breed originating from Southern Africa where the climate is desert-like and dry. The wetter climate of Victoria promotes abnormally fast hoof growth which in turn can lead to bacteria being trapped in large pockets of overgrown hoof or high between the two toes.

Jasper’s feet are on a regular trim cycle now which keeps him comfortable and helps us detect any foot problems that could be brewing before they pose a problem.

This chunky guy is a lover of weetbix (any treat goes really!) and he stole our hearts long ago. Sometimes we just love to show off how special he is and we couldn’t resist sharing his toothy grin 🥹🥰

16/08/2025

Adopt Us! 🐄

Hamish and River are a beautiful, bonded pair of rescue cows looking for a forever home together. Despite their very different personalities and pasts, these two have formed an unshakable friendship full of tenderness, trust, and quiet companionship.

🐂 Hamish – The Charismatic Softie
Hamish is a cheeky, confident Highland x steer who adores human attention and snacks. Once misunderstood for being aggressive, Hamish came into care due to behavioral issues that were later linked to an incorrect castration. After successful surgery and some TLC, he's blossomed into a sweet-natured boy who craves affection and is wonderfully gentle with his best friend, River. Though he's usually "the boss" around other cows, with River he shows his softer side — always making sure she’s safe, fed, and comfortable.

🐄 River – The Gentle Survivor
River is a quiet, shy Jersey girl with poor eyesight and a big heart. She found her way to us in the most unexpected way — by swimming across a river and landing herself in a neighbor’s paddock. Her original farmer couldn’t guarantee her safety, so she was surrendered into care. Though she was initially matched with another companion, she chose Hamish instead — and the rest is history. Her calm, cautious nature is beautifully balanced by Hamish’s protective and outgoing spirit.

If you think you could offer the home these two deserve, we want to hear from you!

Apply to adopt: https://form.jotform.com/212934582448867

More photos and info: https://www.strongheartssanctuary.org/shfs-for-adoption/hamish-%26-river

15/08/2025

It’s been nearly 5 weeks since Asha and Roee arrived into care and they have taken every ounce of our knowledge, time and energy to get them to this moment.

Not only were they emaciated and battling a parasite burden, including coccidia, Asha was so weak at the beginning that she crashed multiple times and we feared more than once that she wouldn’t make it. She spent a week on IV fluids and everyday was a battle.

To add to complications, Roee started getting unusual swelling in his hind leg and rear end. It took 3 vet visits with 3 different clinics to finally figure out that Roee had malignant oedema or “black leg”, a clostridium bacterial disease. Both diseases can be vaccinated for but with how weak and sick these twins were on arrival, it was not considered safe to vaccinate them.

This was our first time seeing this disease in such a young lamb and the research we did filled us with dread. Mortality rates are extremely high, and efforts beyond a course of antibiotics were not documented.

And yet, Roee was putting on weight. He was drinking milk with gusto, eating his hay and showed us his desire to live everyday. So he went onto a long course of antibiotics, anti inflammatories and everything else our vet could think of.

Over the last 3 weeks, we’ve watched the swelling shrink, albeit slowly. Roee was no longer limping on his hind leg and then when we got up yesterday morning, Roee’s infection had localised to a single, large abscess which was drained and flushed.

Roee was a skeletal 7.5kg on arrival and now, he’s over 12kg and barely a bone to be seen poking through his skin. Asha, being the sicker lamb initially has gained much slower but is still miles improved from the floppy, weak girl she was. From 6.5kg to now over 9kg, Asha can keep up with her brother and matches him in energy and eagerness to eat.

With absolutely overwhelming joy, we think that Asha and Roee are officially out of the woods.

We lost so much sleep and battled illness ourselves with influenza during Asha and Roee’s darkest nights and we cannot tell you the relief we now feel, to hear those lungs screaming out for their morning bottle each day!

We have been unnaturally quiet on social media, prioritising the health of the animals around us but it’s been a distinctive drain on the bank account. If you believe in what we do, if you feel the joy we feel when an animal comes through the other side, please consider donating or sharing 💙

Ref: Lamb Twins
Strong Hearts Farm Sanctuary
BSB: 633 000
Account number: 180 405 532

www.strongheartssanctuary.org/donate

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=WJ8SSQ2SEAL5G&fbclid=IwAR1o7GmxfAk_U18KQDGmj4BXauVlhV0AndQg-61jb1OwtVAT6mfv85IVQnU

Strong Hearts Farm Sanctuary

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