Animal activist Pam Ahern will move hundreds of animals from Kilmore to Lancefield to be the new home base of Edgar’s Mission.
Inspired by Edgar Alan Pig who was rescued from a piggery by Ms Ahern in 2003, Edgar’s Mission has rescued more than 3000 animals, and houses more than 300.
Ms Ahern describes the new location near Lancefield as a beautiful area with enough space to accommodate all of the mission’s animals.
She says it is more accessible to Melbourne and the airport, which is beneficial because the organisation attracts a lot of international visitors.
“We think we’ll be good for the local area,” Ms Ahern says.
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She says that an area already rich in tourism like the Macedon Ranges will be good for Edgar’s Mission too – once a few alterations have been made.
“The new farm was a horse stable so now we have to tailor it to suit different species.”
The group is hoping to have control of the farm this month.
Edgar’s Mission is waiting on the council’s approval for a permit to open to the public.
The members want their grand opening to coincide with World Animal Day, for which Ms Ahern is the Australian Ambassador. It is on October 4.
There has been a lot of support in their effort to move to Lancefield.
Their recent “Raise the Roof” crowd funding campaign to support their move raised $162,388, more than three times as much as the hoped-for $50,000. The campaign raised the most funds for an Australian crowd funded appeal for a not-for-profit organisation.
“This is evident of how much belief people have in our work,” Ms Ahern says. “Caring for animals and humans is not mutually exclusive.”
She says each animal has its own personality and this is reflected in the name given to each creature on the farm.
“I rescued Edgar and my love of animals grew from there,” Ms Ahern says.
She walked Edgar with her dog and people would stop and talk to her.
“They would react positively and it was a great way to advocate my cause.”
Sadly, Edgar died in 2010. But what started out as a rescue mission to save one pig has grown to rescue and relocate thousands of farm animals.
The move to Lancefield will ensure that Edgar’s legacy lives on.
“Edgar’s Mission will go beyond me and I want to secure its future.”
