My charity of the month for January is Dreamer’s Hen Rescue and their side project, Teddy’s Team. I mentioned them last month, and have mentioned Teddy’s Team a few times on my social media – as I’ve been doing some fostering (and adopting!)
Dreamer’s Hen Rescue is officially about 3 years old (although the founders have been actively rescuing longer). They predominantly rescue ex-battery hens from abattoirs and factory farms, but also rescue other farmed animals including ducks, turkeys, lambs, sheep, goats and one time, a calf named Bellow!
Animals are rehomed to pet only homes, male ovines and bovines are desexed prior to rehoming to prevent breeding, and hens and ducks to homes who agree to feed the eggs back to the chickens/ducks and not eat them themselves. Our animals are rehired as companions, to be loved and taken care of – not utilised for anything consumable they might produce.
About a year ago, a kitten named Teddy came into the lives of the Dreamer’s Hen team. He had a congenital spinal deformity, and was in absolutely shocking condition, suffering from severe internal parasites, urine burning, maggots, mobility and slow gut which lead to problems in his digestive system. But the team was determined to do what they could to give Teddy a long and happy life. Tragically, after $8k and many specialist appointments later, Teddy passed away, to the devastation of the team. It was here the Teddy’s Team initiative began. He couldn’t live, but because of him, others can.
Since starting Teddy’s Team in March 2018, 124 cats and kittens on death row at rural pounds have been rescued. Particular interest in is taken in those that have special needs, which obviously is a costly endeavour. Dreamer’s Hen and Teddy’s team currently owe thousands in vet bills. They’re also at full capacity, as are their foster carers – so they’re in desperate need of help:
