When animal-lover Michele Harrod saw that the former Franklin Zoo & Wildlife Sanctuary property was for sale, she dreamed big. The beautiful, bush-clad property had been a haven for native and exotic animals, including the last of the country's retiring circus animals, which were nursed back to health by welfare advocate and vet the late Dr Helen Schofield.
Now, thanks to the Animal Connection, the organisation spearheaded by Harrod, the site could be home to a hugely ambitious project; a state-of-theart animal sanctuary, educational hub and animal therapy centre, honouring the legacy of Dr. Schofield. The Animal Connection will welcome unwanted, older animals, factory farm rescue cases and the leftovers from the failed rural dream (cows and pigs that can't live in the city). These creatures, Harrod assures, are often too hard to save; there are simply too many of them and too few facilities to care for them.
Research shows animal therapy is beneficial for both animals and humans; allowing for personal growth, and ultimately, positive change, says Harrod. Children benefit and learn from their interactions with all animals, while teens from challenging backgrounds learn empathy and love by spending time with a doting old dog.
There are also plans afoot for restoration projects that will revive the site's ponds and rivers, a café serving ethical food and a local produce swap market at the weekend - all just 40 minutes drive from central Auckland.
And all of this can happen without having to tear down existing structures and completely rebuild. "The idea is to set up the sanctuary in a place which already has a lot of the facilities; there's an education centre, plenty of space for animals and lots of potential."
