The Great Rescue
Galahad’s Sanctuary, rock band and poet rescue animals!
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Imagine receiving a call to rescue two ponies, two donkeys, one baby camel and three sheep out of the blue in Kinglake? This is a typical day in the life of a rescuer. Lynne received the call from Ken, owner of Craigieburn Bottle-O, who had just acquired a petrol station. The animals were an “attraction” next to the petrol station in inadequate conditions. There had been numerous complaints to the RSPCA. He wanted to ensure their safety. Ken also very generously donated their feeders, water trough, fencing and shelter. Lynne and volunteers spent four days taking down the fencing and shelter and securing the animals to Galahad’s Sanctuary. Half of the volunteers were from the band Backlash, a 60s/70’s pub rock band, also joined by Paul a published poet from P G Holroyd, Poetry.
The ponies have been claimed by their previous owner Victor from Cute & Cuddly Pony Hire in Sunbury and St Kilda, who is going to take care of the needs of the stallion and pregnant mare.
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Their care involved veterinary bills for vaccinations and gelding, plus worming, feet trimming, training, fencing, shelter and feed.
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In support of Galahad's Sanctuary, Backlash formed back together for a night of great music and fun to raise funds for the rescued animals on Sat, 4 March, 2023 from 7:30pm at the Gisborne Golf Club. 100% profit from ticket sales, merchandise and raffles held during the night went to the welfare of the animals on the sanctuary. Raffle prizes were donated by Myths & Legends, Gisborne Petstock, Sunbury Stockfeed and 4Paws & More Pet Supplies.
Where they came from
This video (click above photo) is a compilation of photos taken from the paddock they were in next to a petrol station, where they were an "attraction",
Their new home
This video (click above photo) is them in their new home after three days of driving back and forth. l got the vet out here to start, vaccinating. worming and delousing the donkeys, camel and sheep. They need training to halter as they have had zero training. Then I will be able to focus on trimming their hooves. They need feed suited to their individual needs. The 4 boys also need to be gelded by a vet, the two rams first, later the donkeys and much later the camel. They are so scared and sweet. I’m so glad we rescued them.
Jake and Elwood
The band that helped rescue the animals, Backlash, love the Blues Brothers. We did a Facebook poll for names as well, with Jake and Elwood, being the most nominated winners. Jake, the darker donkey, is opening up more and loving to be brushed and stroked. We can tell Elwood wants to be stroked but he's still a bit frightened. Early days yet, trust requires love and patience.
Nemo
Nemo is the flock leader. Even Phoenix and Jake & Elwood pay him respect. He is very clever, strong, determined and beautiful. I can't wait until I can introduce him to the rest of the flock at Galahad's,
Phoenix
Pheonix is one and half years old and the gentlest baby camel. He is loving looking over the fence at the other camels we have here at Galahad's. When he is older and bigger I will introduce them slowly. In the meantime he has his familiar pals around him.
Dory
Dory was the first rescue we named, as he looks just like his namesake. He is so tiny, sweet and incredibly affectionate and really loves carrots and a cuddle anytime.
Squishy
This girl is so cute you just want to squish her! She is also very sweet, hangs out with Dory all the time and loves affection and attention. Both of the males Dory and Nemo are entire, so we are keeping our eyes on her in case there will be a baby Squishy.
Where they came from
This video (click above photo) is a compilation of photos taken from the paddock they were in next to a petrol station, where they were an "attraction",
Their new home
This video (click above photo) is them in their new home after three days of driving back and forth. l got the vet out here to start, vaccinating. worming and delousing the donkeys, camel and sheep. They needed training to halter as they had zero training. The 2 rams were gelded by a vet. They were so scared and sweet. I’m so glad we rescued them. The sheep now run with the rest of the flock at Galahad's. The donkeys now have 15 acres to run and play. Phoenix was introduced to the other camels and built a special relationship with Catapult.
Jake and Elwood
The band that helped rescue the animals, Backlash, love the Blues Brothers. We did a Facebook poll for names as well, with Jake and Elwood, being the most nominated winners. Jake, the darker donkey, is much more affectionate. We can tell Elwood wants to be stroked but he's more timid. Trust requires love and patience. After a lot of training they now come when called, can wear a halter and lead, love being brushed and allow their feet to be picked up. They love running around the property play fighting and doing zoomies.
Nemo
Nemo was the flock leader. Even Phoenix and Jake & Elwood paid him respect. He is very clever, strong, determined and beautiful. He and Squishy are thriving after being introduced to the flock. Little Boy Blue remained the flock leader though!
Phoenix
Phoenix was one and half years old and the gentlest baby camel. He loved looking over the fence at the other camels. When he was healthier and stronger I introduced him to the other camels. He was so excited. He built a very special relationship with Catapult. They were so gentle with one another. Alas a year after he arrived here he passed away. Baby camels have delicate little systems. If they are separated from their mother too soon or they are not given the right nourishment from day 1 their chances are slim. Their rumens don't develop properly and they become incredibly susceptible to digestive issues. Lynne did everything she could to save him as she had developed a very strong bond with him. The vets tried their best. His death took a huge emotional toll. He was very loved and will never be forgotten.
Dory
Dory was the first rescue we named, as he looked just like his namesake. He was so tiny, sweet and incredibly affectionate and really loved carrots and a cuddle anytime. He passed away a couple of months after arrival shortly after he was desexed by vets. Also never to be forgotten, sweet angel.
This girl is so cute you just want to squish her!
She was also very sweet, hung out with Nemo all the time and loves affection and attention. Squishy and Nemo are thriving after being introduced to the flock.
