"We provide for many neglected and abused stock/domesticated animals. PFF has a no put-down policy; therefore the animals live out their lives on the farm. The animals come from an animal organization that rescues then but does not have the resources to home them. When we have an opening for a new animal, we will contact them and they will let us know what animals they have that need a home. The animals share the farm with children that are often from dysfunctional/abusive families themselves.
Over 70% of aggressive, incarcerated criminals are reported to be from dysfunctional backgrounds that tortured and/or murdered animals as children. This behaviour stems from learned behavior from seeing adults vent their anger and frustrations on helpless animals. Some children, neglected and abused themselves have had no other choices modeled for them; therefore they grow up not knowing any better and pass on this learned behavior to the next generation.
Teaching children animal-assisted activities with kindness/empathy and thoughtfulness both enhances the quality of animal welfare as well as the quality of the children’s life. Children develop more awareness and understanding. Children spend quality time with the different types of animals at Peanuts and together both find a comfort, respect, trust and love each other and learn that they DO MATTER. We believe this will help break the cycle and mind set of abuse and help grate a better future for both animals and children of today and of future generations."
Tracey also fosters children in her home, and other children regularly come to visit the farm and benefit from it. Most of the animals have been rescued from various locations, or saved from slaughter. I was staying there as part of the WWOOF programme (willing workers on organic farms) from 19.2.15 - 26.2.15 and stayed in the lovely guest house on site, which comes with an equipped kitchenette, bathroom and 2 dorm rooms. It was very nice to have this to myself and relax in the evenings with a book or a podcast.
The family were very kind and generous and interesting to talk to. I enjoyed being part of the family for that time, going for a swim in the nearby creek (with rapids!), going to the local town and watching an Aussie movie in their own theatre in the garage.
The kids were so polite and friendly to me. Each afternoon, after school, they would load up the quad and wheelbarrows and head up to the fields to feed the animals. One evening I joined in and fed the goats, pigs, and bulls. Those goats were fiesty!
There are: 2 young bulls (Panda and Nugget), 3 pigs (Millie, Kipton and Pig Pig), 1 duck, 2 Goats (mother and daughter: Nellie and Kaiola), 3 Ponies, 4 horses, as well as dogs and cats. And loads of native birds who visit. I took various jobs. Weeding the veggie garden took ages! I also helped clear the pigs' area for some new fencing and construction of a new pigsty. A palace of a pigsty, called Pigtopia sponsored by the NSW Vegan Society! I cleared out the horses shed and used the manure on the veggie garden, swept up all the fallen leaves and branches into piles for winter firewood, weeded and cleared around the birds' hut which had become overgrown, and also helped cooked and EAT some delicious vegan delights.
I would definitely recommend anyone to visit PFF for the day, or to volunteer there or to donate to this excellent charity which is aiming to help not just the animals but children.
Peanuts Funny Farm website
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