Rescued sheep flock, The Weetbix Gang, needs you! Shop with us to help them.

The recent storms in the Dandenong Ranges, Victoria have greatly affected Joanne’s micro-sanctuary where she cares for a flock of six rescued sheep known as The Weetbix Gang. To support Joanne and the gang, Sassy Organics will be donating $1 from every order placed between the 18^th and 30^th of June. Read on to learn more about Joanne and the gang’s story, and the trouble they’re currently facing.

The situation: why The Weetbix Gang need your help

On Wednesday 9^th of June Victoria was thrashed with severe weather. Wild storms brought trees down, flooded rivers and cut power for thousands of Victorians. One of the worst-hit areas was the Dandenong Ranges. Residents of the ranges scrambled to evacuate, but Joanne—unable to evacuate the flock of six sheep—bunkered down to weather the storm with the animals. The Weetbix Gang were secured in the shed, Joanne and the dogs in the house. As the storm rumbled on, all Joanne and the animals could do was listen to the howling wind and the cracking and thwacking of falling trees, never sure where they’d land next.

Joanne and the Gang survived the storm but emerged with no power, no phone reception, a flooded property and wreckage of fallen trees. Two more trees have since fallen, destroying their back fence. The Gang and Joanne were to survive eight days without power or heat before, finally, just a day ago on June 16^th, they were loaned a generator. For the first time in a week, they felt heat and saw light. But the power will not return to the thousands without it in the Dandenong Ranges for at least another month.

Joanne and the Weetbix Gang need you

The generator can only be used sporadically and is expensive to run, requiring regular petrol top-ups. The Gang and Joanne also need firewood for heat, batteries for torches and lights and money to repair the back fence. They also need continued support for hay, feed and any other necessities.

That’s why Sassy Organics is donating $1 from every order placed between now and June 30^th.

So, if you’ve been meaning to place an order, top-up or just treat yourself then this is the perfect time to do it! Joanne and The Gang will be so grateful for the support, and it will make the world of difference for them during these extra tough times.

If you wish to help The Weetbix Gang in other ways (by donating money or supplies they need), please visit their Instagram bio @the_weetbix_gang for more information.

Joanne and The Weetbix Gang’s story

In November 2018, Joanne (@whoisjoanne) started her vegan micro-sanctuary in the Dandenong Ranges, Victoria with two rescued sheep, Alice and Zoe. A micro-sanctuary is typically small-scale and the human and non-human animals live in relatively close proximity, which is the case at Joanne’s one-acre forest property. The sanctuary’s mission is to provide refuge to animals in need and to touch human hearts through positive education.

Within one year, the Weetbix Gang more than doubled in size: Alice, Zoe, Jade, Bambi, Marty, Willow and Zack. Each of the rescued sheep has its own unique story. Alice was found on the side of the road paralysed, and with the aid of a wheelchair and her determination, she was able to walk again. Zoe was surrendered by a slaughterhouse moments before being killed. Samson was a runaway sheep, found down and cast on his side, being attacked by crows. Jade and Bambi were struck down with pregnancy toxaemia during winter lambing and were able to recover with supportive care. Marty and Willow are Bambi’s babies, born in the sanctuary. And Zack was orphaned during winter lambing, needing to be raised by hand. By sharing the Gang’s stories and allowing people to follow their journey from rescue to recovery and beyond, the sanctuary hopes to create a kinder, more compassionate world for all.

Why do sheep need rescuing?

Most of the rescued sheep at Joanne’s micro-sanctuary have been rescued from the Australian wool industry. You’d be forgiven for thinking wool is cruelty-free, after all sheep produce a lot of wool and it surely doesn’t harm them to sheer it off…right? Sadly no, this isn’t quite true.

In fact, you’d be surprised to learn that every year in Australia, a tear-jerking 10-15 million newborn lambs die of starvation, neglect and exposure within just 48 hours of being born. This is due to Winter lambing – a process used to produce the most amount of lambs at the lowest cost. You can learn more about winter lambing here and read up on the wool industry more broadly here.

But there’s good news

There are plenty of alternative warm fabrics that, unlike wool, don’t contribute to animal suffering. You can look for cotton, hemp, flannel, linen, polyester fleece and Tencel. And you can also support sanctuaries like Joanne and The Weetbix Gang or Edgar’s Mission who help rescue sheep and lambs every year.

Together we can do our bit, and like Joanne and the Gang, help create a kinder, more compassionate world. You can head here to start shopping and support The Weetbix Gang.