Possum Valley Animal Sanctuary fundraiser to help
Mt Helena couple continue rescue mission. Hills Gazette Community, 14 July 2017, Written by Lynn Grierson.
PROVIDING shelter for rescued wildlife and farm
animals is not for the faint-hearted, as one Mt Helena couple discovered after
opening a refuge two years ago.
Mark Hayman and Chris Rafferty hold down full-time
jobs, while providing round-the-clock care for furry friends at Possum Valley
Animal Sanctuary.
Fundraising activities for the charity will
culminate in an event on August 26 when the sanctuary will hold its first
dress-up high tea, in the South Banquet Hall of the University of WA.
Tales of animal rescue and the story of how the
12ha sanctuary became the Noah’s Ark of the Hills will be accompanied by a
cruelty-free spread of savoury and sweet treats.
The couple rise at daybreak to care for their
brood, before Mark heads off to a job in human resources and Chris drives to
Whiteman Park, where she works as land environment manager.
“At the moment, we have about 130 animals, which
consist of about 32 sheep, 25 roosters, a few donkeys, a dozen goats, a large
number of native and non-native ducks, possums, alpacas, chooks, guinea fowl
and peacocks,” Mark said.
“They have individual enclosures and live in
family groups.
“Probably the two animals with the strongest bond
are Pearl and Lucas; they are inseparable.
“Lucas looks after Pearl, one of three blind sheep
at the sanctuary.”
The couple work closely with local councils and
other rescue groups to rehabilitate and find homes for animals removed for
safety or found abandoned.
“When we get home from work, we spend about three
to four hours doing the evening rounds,” said Mark, grateful for the support of
their dedicated team of volunteers.
Possum Valley fundraising coordinator Maggie
Heynemann said her disabled daughter Lizzie had blossomed since she began
helping out at the sanctuary, thanks to the support of Inclusion WA.
Other fundraising events to look out for
throughout the year are yoga with goats, sound meditation and the annual cheese
and wine evening attended by more than 200 people.
For more details, visit the sanctuary on Facebook.
Original article: http://www.communitynews.com.au/hills-gazette/news/possum-valley-animal-sanctuary-fundraiser-to-help-mt-helena-couple-continue-rescue-mission/ .
