Be Kind Exotic Animal Rescue

03/06/2026

Raining rabbits is unfortunately right. Smaller rescues especially the exotic ones vet let out often so if you could vote for us that would be amazing thank you

Help us nominate local animal charities and rescue organisations to be voted on this July 🐾💛

As part of our Howick Heroes giveback campaign, we’re looking for animal organisations in our community that could benefit from a little extra support 🐶🐱

✨ Know a local group that deserves it?
👇 Nominate them below and tell us why they should win a share of $2000

Entries close 20th June
Our team will then shortlist 3 finalists

Let’s get behind the amazing organisations caring for animals in our community 🐾💚

24/05/2026

BIRDS, BIRDS, BIRDS 🦜

Now that everyone’s safe, I can share this crazy story.

On Thursday afternoon we got a call from a lovely couple who found a cockatoo by the side of the road. While they were catching him, they spotted an Alexandrine in the trees but couldn’t catch her and asked if we could help. We brought along two of our own as call birds to try and lure her down.

When we got there and were looking up at this bird high in a tree, I heard another call from the trees behind us. Sure enough, there was a second female Alexandrine.

We were there for 3 hours and managed to catch one of the Alexandrines. While we were there, a local stopped to see what was going on and mentioned he’d seen 4 open cages on a front lawn a few days earlier.

Just as we were about to call it for the night, I heard a very familiar sound from another patch of trees. It was a ringneck.

The amazing couple came back the next day and managed to catch both the ringneck and the other Alexandrine. They drove up to meet us in Warkworth today with both birds.

After talking to more neighbors, it sounds like these poor birds were deliberately released. They’re all hungry and scared, but the cockatoo has already let Liam scratch his head, so that’s a start.

It’s heartbreaking to think someone let these guys out to starve in the wild. But I’m so grateful we could help, and all 4 are now safe. We’ll keep monitoring the area to make sure there isn’t anyone else out there.

If you’d like to help with their care, please consider donating to our rescue bank account below. Thank you so much for any support you can give.

Bank account details:
GABRIELLE BAILEY
01-0482-0074503-46

22/05/2026

Busy season is here!

We've had a few surrenders coming in as things start to ramp up.

This gorgeous bearded dragon was surrendered last week - he's a sweet guy, and true to form, decided to head straight into brumation as soon as he arrived.

We also welcomed Banana and Strips to the flock, two stunning budgies with huge personalities. They're friendly, curious, and already love their treats.

And welcome back to Houdini! He was adopted from us a few years ago, but when his owner could no longer care for him, he came back home with his mate, the blue-tongue Hex.

Supporting animals for their whole lives is a big part of what we do, whether that's answering questions or taking them back if circumstances change. It's in our adoption agreement because the last thing we want is animals getting passed around and their care declining.

We've got another wild story to share soon, but it's still unfolding. We'll post once everyone is safe and settled.

29/04/2026

New Intakes

We had 4 new animals join the rescue over the weekend!

First up is this gorgeous leopard gecko. She's a beautiful, slightly shy girl settling in at one of our amazing foster homes so she can get use to people more. She had a small eye issue but it's almost all cleared up - fantastic news.

Then on Sunday, we drove out west to collect 3 cockatiels from an elderly couple. The drive was beautiful and they even showed us their butterfly tree, which I loved. The birds are now settling into the aviary.

Welcome to the whānau, little ones 🦎🦜

22/04/2026

Update on Mr Kissey Face 🦎

Remember Freddy, our gorgeous male water dragon who went through major facial reconstruction surgery? The recovery was long and at times touch-and-go, but I'm stoked to say he's doing amazingly well now!

After meeting his girlfriend Twistie, the female water dragon with a spinal deformity, he turned a huge corner. He started eating by himself and has made incredible progress.

The Amazing The Animal Sanctuary donated this massive enclosure for the happy couple, and they love it! They're soaking up the last of the autumn sun before settling in for winter.

Thanks to everyone who supported his journey ❤️

18/04/2026

Help needed with aviary transport 🚚

We've been offered a gorgeous aviary by a kind follower - it will be amazing for the animals here. The catch? We have no way to get it from Mt Wellington to us in Wellsford, on the way to Mangawhai.

Can anyone help with transport? If you have a trailer or truck and are heading our way, please let me know.

Thank you so much!

09/04/2026

Cyclone Sunday!

We're bunker-down ready here at the sanctuary, prepping for the potential cyclone on Sunday. Temp cages are set up for our reptiles and birds in the shipping container, chainsaw's charged, and food and water are stocked.

Our cabins aren't the strongest, so we'll be moving everyone to a safer spot on Saturday night, just in case. Better safe than sorry, right?

Hoping everyone else is prepared and staying safe! Fingers crossed it won't be too bad 🌪️.

05/04/2026

Huge thanks to Pet.kiwi !!

Last month, we were the rescue of the month at Pet Kiwi, and yesterday, the amazing donations arrived! We're blown away by the generosity - bird food, beds, reptile hide, toys, and bowls - it's going to make a huge difference.

The birds are already loving the treats, and we're so grateful for your support. Thanks, Pet Kiwi, and everyone who donated ❤️.

02/04/2026

Need Metal Aviaries!

We're looking for metal aviaries for sale or donation. With a recent influx of birds, we need to expand our holding capacity ASAP.

Budget is tight, so we're after deals that won't break the bank. If you've got a metal aviary gathering dust or are thinking of selling, get in touch!

Donations welcome, and sales considered. Help us give our feathered friends some extra space!

We are located in the Wellsford/Mangawhi area.

We thank you for the consideration.

01/04/2026

BIRDY UPDATE!

We've had some new arrivals in the rescue, so thought I'd bring you up to speed.

Mango the conure's settling in with one of our awesome fosters, he was found in Auckland but we couldn't locate his owners unfortunately.- he's a funny bird who's loving the attention, and we think he's there to stay. 🤞🏼

Sassy the rainbow Lorikeet's got attitude - she's a charmer with the guys, but a bit of a diva with the ladies 😂. She was also a found bird with no one coming forward. She's bonding with another Lorikeet, so far so good.

We've also got a gorgeous yellow budgie who's got the whole flock buzzing - he's a bit of a looker, and the other birds are smitten.

A few others have joined, but we can't post them due to privacy and other reasons but they are settling in great.

Bird chipper's coming this month, so keep an eye out for adoptions soon!