A WUFF BREAK
SANCTUARY FACES CLOSURE
A FAMOUS Hinterland farm faces closure or leaving the Gold Coast entirely unless it can find a new home fast.
The Storybook Farm Sacred Animal Garden, near Canungra, has been caring for special-needs animals for more than five years but is now in need of help of its own.
After two years at its current location, the 25ha land the sanctuary is based on is set to be redeveloped into housing by its owner, forcing its operator to look for a new location for its 30 cuddly creatures.
Lisa-Jayne Cameron said she was looking at locations between the Sunshine Coast and northern NSW.
“We are now having to look for a new property to least and potentially buy where the sanctuary can be more secure for the animals,” she said.
“There just aren’t a lot of places which are suitable for what we do.
“Obviously we would like to remain here in the Hinterland but we do not mind given we only have a few weeks before we have to move.”
The farm was founded by Ms Cameron and her children after sickness afflicted the family’s beloved pet dachshund Mr Waddles.
The small dog was left paralysed by an undiagnosed spinal condition, inspiring Ms Cameron to help other animals in need.
Among the animals she has cared for are horses, alpacas, goats, sheep, dogs, birds and cats.
While the site is expected to
be redeveloped, no development application has been made yet to the Scenic Rim Council.
Ms Cameron said a site of more than 20ha was needed to house the animals which range from blind horses to small dogs with spinal issues, including IVDD, an intervertebral disc disease.
Some of the animals stay on as permanent residents at the farm while others are able to be rehabilitated from their conditions and find new homes to live.
Others have arrived after their previous owners have died.
Ms Cameron called on Gold Coasters to help find a new home for the farm and location an appropriate place for it to move.
“If someone has a property available or for lease which is suitable I would be hugely grateful for any help we can get,” she said.
“There is nowhere else which offers the service we do and while we have a lot people who can help us move the animals, we just need someone who can help us find a home to move to.”