The Mountain Brumby Sanctuary (MBS) in Broadford is home to around 30 brumbies who have been rescued from trapping and culling practices sanctioned by the New South Wales Government.
In 2020, a small group of women banded together and headed up to the high country to try and help stop the shootings.
The MBS was created and has operated around the clock with the helping hand of volunteers and contributions from generous individuals, businesses, and organisations ever since.
The costs associated with rescuing the brumbies are predominately food and vet bills, and though Animal Welfare Victoria recently awarded the MBS an $86,000 grant from its Animal Welfare Funds Grants Program, the funds are only able to be used for equipment purchases.
“People think we are rich, but we are not. We can’t use that money for supplements, food, or hay,” MBS President Gabi Black said.
“We brought a big second-hand tractor, a crush to hold the horses when they are being examined by the vet, new yards, and a loading ramp.
“We have one more project and then the money is all gone, but we have to wait until the ground dries out before we can start that one.”
Finding volunteers is an around-the-clock activity and people’s willingness to help depends on the weather.
Ms Black said they needed more volunteers to help out at the sanctuary.
“We need to train them to pick up their feet, we need to put the halter on and off, get them into the float, all the basic training. We need more sponsors and donations too,” she said.
“We try to rehome two together, especially when they have bonded. We are a not-for-profit organisation and gelding, veterinary bills, the farrier, the cold branding, dentistry, and feeding them uses up all our money.”
The MBS currently have a small herd of brumbies waiting for the right volunteers to prepare them for adoption, and there is a profile of each of them available online at www.mountainbrumbysanctuary.org.au.
For more information, call Gabi Black on 0490 759 033 or Jo Curtis 0431 484 751.
