BRIGITTE BARDOT FOUNDATION BACKS FREEME

Jade le Roux

FreeMe Wildlife Rehabilitation centre has recently received funding from the international wildlife organisation, Fondation Brigitte Bardot (FBB), based in France.

Founded by French model, movie star and animal rights advocate, Brigitte Bardot, FBB has continued Bardot’s legacy of giving “a voice to the voiceless” animals all over the world through various projects and funding opportunities.

The foundation recently acknowledged the outstanding contribution FreeMe makes through their continuous wildlife rehabilitation and recuse efforts, by contributing to the running costs of the centre, including care, food, transport, hygiene, maintenance, and equipment.

FreeMe’s project and programme manager, Tammy Caine, said FreeMe is “humbled and privileged” to have the support of such “an admirable international welfare organisation.”

“FreeMe was delighted to receive support from the foundation and we believe that there is a great value exchange between the two organisations. The world desperately needs more people like Brigitte Bardot, whose compassion and care for animals resulted in the formation of a foundation whose work has made a huge difference in the lives of animals, both wild and domestic, across the globe. We believe the work the foundation supports is a prime example of FreeMe Wildlife’s mantra ‘working together to enrich lives’,” she said.

Caine said FreeMe was first introduced to FBB by one of their supporters who mentioned that FBB’s aims were aligned with FreeMe’s, and that it supports animal welfare organisations worldwide.

Still in its infancy, the partnership is a collaborative one between FreeMe and FBB. FreeMe believes this partnership has potential to open even more international funding opportunities. “Our work already has international reach and support, and we are very open to collaboration on international efforts that will lend themselves to a better understanding d t di of f wildlife ildlif i issues across the world,” said Caine.