Sanctuary
The Owl & The PussyCat Water and Feed Security Project
The Water and Feed Security Project will install a permanent water bore and pipework at the Sanctuary to deliver fresh drinking water year-round, ensuring the wellbeing of their rescued residents, enabling the growth of onsite animal feed, reducing costs, and building long-term resilience so more vulnerable animals can be saved.
In 2022, catastrophic floods destroyed a 500,000-litre dam and caused severe damage to infrastructure at a 130-acre animal sanctuary in Northern NSW. The disaster significantly worsened the sanctuary’s seasonal water scarcity issues. The remaining dam now leaks, local creeks have shifted underground, and - being fully off-grid - the sanctuary relies entirely on rainwater collection. From mid-winter to late spring, their water supplies frequently run dry, forcing them to truck in chemically treated water at considerable expense.
Thanks to generous project funding, the sanctuary is now installing a permanent water bore and pipework to deliver fresh water year-round to paddocks and the main animal accommodation barn. This dependable water source will ensure continuous access to safe drinking water and cooling systems during the hot months. It will also make it possible to grow fodder crops and establish a food forest on site, reducing feed costs, improving nutrition for rescued animals, and enhancing environmental sustainability.
By securing a reliable, on-site water supply, the sanctuary will safeguard the health and wellbeing of its current residents and expand its capacity for responsible rescue. The project will lower operating costs, strengthen resilience to extreme weather events, and free up resources for other initiatives that directly improve the lives of the animals in their care.