ANIMAL INTAKE
"I have an animal that needs sanctuary."
For almost five years, Big Island Farm Sanctuary has taken in, or found homes for. well over 200 rescues and surrenders. As of August 2023, we have reached critical capacity, financially and physically. We must put our entire focus on building a solid infrastructure before we can offer help to anymore animals. Until further notice, we are closing our doors to all new intakes. This includes emergency services. While it is always difficult to turn an animal in need away, we must look at the animals already in our care and do what is best for them. If you have an animal in need, there are several different sanctuaries and rescues here on the island that you can reach out to (simply google "animal rescue big island" or "farm sanctuary big island"). Want to help our mission? Please visit our WAYS TO SUPPORT page for ways you can help.
"I found a wild pig/goat and I want you to take it."
If you find a wild animal, we ask that you do not immediately pick them up and put them in your car. More often than not, the animal is perfectly healthy and happy, and (if it's a baby) mom is just a short distance away (possibly hiding from you). When you unnecessarily remove an otherwise healthy animal from their environment, you are stealing them from their family and freedom, and creating a lifelong dependence on humans that wasn't ultimately necessarily, thus taking away space for a future animal in real need. Unless the animal is in obvious distress, we suggest you leave them be. Wild animals prefer to be wild! If you do take them in, please consider that you may be the one to ultimately care for the animal, as sanctuaries on the island are bursting at the seams and turning animals away almost daily.
"We have annoying roosters that need to be removed from our property."
Funny, the roosters say the same thing about the humans when they call. ;) Again, wild animals prefer to be wild whenever possible, and we are not in the business of needlessly capturing and confining animals who are not truly in need of our help.
"Do you take dogs or cats?"
We are a farmed-animal rescue and do not take in companion animals like cats or dogs. There are several cat and dog rescues on the island that you can find by searching the internet.