This week is a very special one, a time that is close to our hearts here at Liberty Foundation: it’s World Laboratory Animal Week (22-28 April 2024).
This week we pause to think about the lives of animals in research and science. We also celebrate the success of the rehoming movement worldwide and the lives we’ve been able to change here in Australia.
With the support of our wonderful donors and volunteers, we have rehomed almost 650 animals from research since we started back in 2017.
With more animals coming through our doors than every before, we’re asking for your help today to raise the funds we need to operate for another year. We rely solely on donations and paid memberships to continue our work and all donations of $2 or more are tax deductible.
You can make a contribution by credit card to our fundraising appeal or a donation via PayPal here.
You can also make a deposit into our bank account, just email us for details – hello@libertyfoundation.org.au – or you can mail a cheque to: Liberty Foundation Australia, PO Box 22, Ourimbah NSW 2258.
A bit more about where your donation goes…
We work with research facilities in Australia to arrange the release of animals they no longer need for their work. These animals may have been in research for a short time or spent most of their lives in one or more facilities.
Depending on the species and their experience in research, each animal has its own needs in the rehoming process.
We are the only charity in Australia that rehomes the full range of domestic animals from research. We have rehomed dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, mice and fish.
The money you donate to Liberty Foundation goes directly to supporting the animals and our rehoming mission – to leave no animal in a research facility who could achieve good quality of life in the community.
We work with research facilities to understand the specific needs of each animal before they come out of the facility. Our experience is an advantage – we have developed the best housing are care for many common laboratory mammals and can make the process easy for all involved.
Sometimes our animals are rehomed directly into their permanent adoptive homes on the day they are picked up from the facility. Other animals, especially where there are large groups for rehoming, may spend some time at Liberty HQ (located on the Central Coast NSW) or with foster carers in the community before they move onto a permanent home.
The number of animals we are taking in each year is increasing. In 2022-23 we rehomed 148 animals, our largest group yet. Many of these animals were guinea pigs, who required specialist veterinary care.
As a small charity we are fully volunteer run and work tirelessly to get the most out of every dollar donated and practise gratitude for what we have been supported to achieve. At the same time, we have a big vision and know that with our experience and the relationships we have developed, we could rehome many more animals.
If you have ever thought about the fate of animals used in research and want to support them, please consider giving what you can. You can also volunteer with us as a foster carer or offer your services in other ways. Just visit the “Get Involved” page of our website today.
Thank you so much for your support!
Paula Wallace
Founder, Liberty Foundation Australia
PS. You can make your donation by credit card to our fundraising appeal or a donation via PayPal here. You can also donate via a deposit into our bank account, just email us for details – hello@libertyfoundation.org.au – or you can mail a cheque to Liberty Foundation Australia, PO Box 22, Ourimbah NSW 2258. Thank you.
