SEE HOW THIS COUPLE TRANSFORMED THEIR HOME TO A SAFE HAVEN BEATING ALL THE ODDS!!

 

In the era of globalization, we have enormous examples of people bringing change in our society, among our communities just by using social networking at the right time for the right thing. While mostly , our generation uses technology as a platform and prefers to criticize or appreciate over Facebook or Instagram, there are still many people working towards the actual cause, dealing with the real-life issues and making a difference on their own level. And honestly speaking, these are the actual heroes who don’t just speak for a cause, also work for it! Certainly, we know you can’t deny this truth and that’s why we’ve got this story especially for you as it worths more and more appreciation!

Be Prepared

The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated, if Gandhi’s words are making any sense to you then this elderly Australian couple is surely raising Australia’s ranking in moral progress! Their story is touching hearts of people around the world, as the most extraordinary video of what they started years ago being viewed by more than millions of followers! Don’t you worry readers as we’ve their videos for you to show their interesting yet hardworking life in a better way!

Moved To Gippsland

In 2009, Theresa Lynne Matthews with her husband Tony Matthews who previously used to live in Mornington Peninsula made a wise choice considering their love for nature and wildlife. After planning to semi-retire, now they were just looking for a home that’s tranquil and comforting for the two. The couple relocated to a beautiful part at Golden Beach in Gippsland, Victoria after Tony was considered completely disabled to work again due to an unfortunate accident at work in 2000. They did find their perfect home, things didn’t go as per their plan for too long though.

Haven Way

26 Haven Way, Golden Beach, Victoria 3851 is the Matthews’ new place now, and their home seemed like any other standard adorable place to spend a lifetime. Proximity to the beach as well as the abundance of native flora and fauna added with Ninety Mile Beach Marine National Park, make their surroundings a peaceful living area far from the city hustle-bustle and that’s exactly what they were looking for. However, one sudden visit was about to change their lives forever! 

Wildlife’s Taken For Granted

Though the new place was perfect but allow us to warn you about Gippsland, the place has wild animals in abundance and lacks the local wildlife rehabilitator or animal rehabilitation facility. Though there are a few centers and caretakers, most people here show less interest in saving these animals as they are everywhere.

The cases of kangaroos and koalas getting hit by cars has become a daily scenario in the area for many years now. In Gippsland, wildlife is usually treated as strays. But Theresa and Tony are surely one of a kind, and their moment was about to knock on their doors!

 Australia

Australia is known for its distinctive wild animal species. The most famous being the kangaroo standing up in the line and being the national animal is found everywhere. Why travel to Australia? Because of the uniqueness of Australia’s wildlife lies in the fact that more than 90% of animals here are natives and are rarely found in other corners of the world. This makes the country one of the biggest tourist attractions for the animal lovers. Australian tourism industry isn’t all about views and beaches it’s majorly based on their wildlife.

Criticized Wildlife

Many Australian farmers have a different understanding of these animals as most of the wildlife live on grass or tree leaves and are claimed to be a big threat to their livestock. Kangaroos die of human-made fences and Koalas starve as the trees they used to get their food from are being cut. And massive destruction is caused by road accidents and pet dogs killing them. Wildlife conservation and animal rehabilitation is a must and yes that’s where our heroes Theresa and Tony come into the picture.

Knock Knock!

What would you do if a stranger knocks on your door and asks you an even more strange question than he himself is? Something similar happened to the Matthews on one fine day in 2010, the couple’s life was taking a twist when an unfamiliar person made a surprise visit to their place. Theresa recalls noticing this guy who was approaching their garden fence, “A chap pulled up at the front fence and said, Do you look after wildlife? I said, Why?”

One Peculiar Question

The man asked them a question and the Matthews didn’t know what to say and why was he even asking them such a weird question? They never worked as rescuers before but the guy didn’t seem to be playing a prank on them either. So the couple just replied to this stranger with a questioning gesture but they needed to be quick as the person seemed to be in a rush. And what was done next started a whole different chapter in the couple’s life story.

The Dilemma

Though Tony and Theresa had no idea what the guy was talking about yet they were curious as his question was clearly indicating that some wild animal was in need and that’s why the guy was asking for their help. The old couple was aware of their safety but couldn’t resist from knowing what it was actually about and hence Theresa asked him the most obvious question, ie, “Why?” And this guy’s answer put the couple in a dicey situation.

A Grey Roo

The guy seemed in a hurry and he said, “I’ve got a kangaroo in the car.” The couple had never taken care of a kangaroo before and they’d no idea about caring a kangaroo. But they knew that the guy might just abandon the poor animal and wanted to save the life of the one lying in the car. So they chose to do what anyone would do to save the kangaroo. They quickly decided to take the animal and then find any nearest animal rescuer who’ll have enough knowledge to help the roo in the car. The more shocking thing was yet to be unveiled…

Joey

When Tony looked at the injured roo, he realized it was a baby kangaroo, an unfurred eastern grey orphaned joey. Now, before you think why are we emphasizing so much on the kangaroo being a kid, its because joeys are the most difficult animals to hand raise for a very genuine reason, roos are born when they weigh less than a gram and crawls to their mother’s pouches and stays there for months until they are mature enough for the outside environment. This was more than expected responsibility on the Matthews’ shoulders now.

Drove Away!

As soon as the stranger handed over the little roo to Tony who was gently holding the baby, the guy without any explanation about what happened to the mother kangaroo or where did he find the joey, drove away. Theresa and Tony on the other side were left confused with so many questions unanswered yet knowing that right now their priority was to save the baby they just took responsibility for. About kangaroos, everyone knows but fewer people know how complex a kangaroo’s birth method is and how unusual it is compared to all other species.

Lesser Known But Must Know!

No doubt they get stressed very easily when away from their mothers and for the same reason very few carertakers adopt them for the fear of losing them. A joey can stay alive for several days in her mother’s pouch even if she dies, and hence it is always a must to check on a dead kangaroo to be sure if there’s a joey and help aid him immediately with intense tenderness and keeping it warm. The couple knew they’d to be quick in finding a suitable kangaroo care center but it wasn’t as easy as it seemed to them.

Roos Everywhere

For Australia where approximately 86,000 native animals meet their end on road accidents yearly, it is very important to raise awareness about these innocent creatures slowly dying in their mothers’ pouch without ever seeing the world. On the basis of their knowledge, Theresa took the joey in and was trying to keep him warm, she knew he needs to be fostered but she had no clue which milk will be suitable for the young kangaroo, meanwhile Tony tried to look for a specialized caretaker nearby.

What To Do?

As soon as Theresa warmed the tiny roo and wrapped him in a pouch-like blanket, she started calling around the city to give him a shelter home with a registered caretaker, infinite calls were made but she received no response. She was sure that there will be enough caretakers available just like in her last city where the baby will be safe.

For the time being, no one calls back, Theresa knew she has to take charge and “what to feed a kangaroo” was the question, so she started searching on internet about what type of milk or teats she should be needing to feed the baby and finally sent Tony with a list of things they’ll require to proceed with.

Disappointing Call

One day passed without any callbacks but the second day, when Theresa received a call, she was expecting that now the baby roo they saved will be getting a fortunate place, where he’ll feel comfortable with others just like him. The call ended disappointing them. The couple had no thoughts of this situation in front of them. But they were sure, not ready to let go so easily.

The more helpless the creature, the more that it is entitled to protection by man from the cruelty of man, this saying of Mahatma Gandhi explains all that possibly went through the minds of the Matthews that day even after the disappointing call.

A Euthanised Fate

The person called and informed the couple that there were very few specialists in the town and all were fully occupied and further remembering that moment Theresa said, “We realized that there was no one here for these joeys and they were being euthanized, not because there was anything wrong with them, but because there was nowhere to go.” Theresa was disheartened by what she just heard on the call but she knew the little boy was healthy and looking into his eyes she just couldn’t let him go.

Caring Nature

Theresa has loved animals throughout her life and has checked the pouches of deceased kangaroos for their joeys before as well due to her knowledge about them. But she didn’t have all the information about ‘wild animal rescue volunteer’. She has been caring for injured and orphaned birds from the time she moved to her new place and that was all rescues she made so far.

However, this new arrival a day before, and no hopes for the little guy other than the Matthews’ place made it necessary for Theresa to learn more about these animals so that she could help the joey to get proper nutrition. She sure had bigger plans in her mind but all she needed was a ray of help!

Part-Time Job

Theresa works part-time as a personal care attendant as she used to stay with Tony also due to his health concerns. The couple lives on Theresa’s income and Tony’s disability pension. The situations looked against them but the Matthews were determined and don’t keep high expectations, as they didn’t do what every animal lover would have done! Rather they almost took things into their own hands as much as possible! 

Bobby!

Theresa and Tony decided to name the little joey ‘Bobby’. They started fostering him but had much more going on their minds now, as they were aware of the poor condition of their area’s wildlife. Theresa was now willing to learn each and everything that could be proved beneficiary for a wildlife rescuing and also the working of rehabilitation shelters. How does it all work and how is it managed, making a long story short for you, she wanted to be a pro in this field. Why though? A question arose even in our minds.

Least Expected

Any animal lover would rescue the joey just like Tony and Theresa did, but they had a greater vision to fulfill and that’s where Theresa’s improvised familiarity with the whole wildlife topic was now about to help them in real time. You won’t believe what this couple did when they had no resources and no specific place to start something usual, they turned all odds in their favor by their resolution for a good cause!

Opened Doors

As she got help from a kind woman, who informed her of all the necessities. Now she was aware of wildlife rescuing and kangaroo care, hence, ready to be a caretaker. Theresa recalls, “was our first kangaroo and his name was Bobby.’ And later more were welcomed, Theresa spoke of her feelings behind the couple’s big step,”Because of our love for kangaroos, we just opened up our home to them, and this rescuing got bigger and got bigger.”

Big Hearts, Bigger Troubles

They turned their standard home into “Our Haven Wildlife Shelter Inc.,” a non-profit organization. It all started the moment they decided not to give-up on Bobby, along with that they made it their sole purpose to foster as many lives as they can. What is heaven? If these joeys could speak they’ll surely say ‘Our Haven’ But it was more than difficult then they thought.

Full-Time Foster 

The couple stuck next to each other closely as they two were the only one bearing all the expenses from their own pockets to take care of any new joey welcomed in their wildlife shelter. Theresa explains her only motive, “Financially, the main thing at the moment is making sure we keep them alive.”

Long Rides, Countless Rescues

And they traveled more than 10,000kms and rescued more than 169 kangaroos in 2015 and the numbers are increasing every year, that means an average of 14 joeys in there home every time. Just think about it if taking care of one joey is an all-day work then how much care would 14 of those would need and it all was being regulated by Theresa and Tony.

Wallabies

To any suffering wild animal, help was provided. Yes, they don’t discriminate rather they know the value of each existing life and hence they rescue any animal they see in need of help. Unlike, South Australian wildlife, where a majority of red kangaroos are found, Theresa informs, “We mainly take on eastern grey kangaroos – they’re the only ones down here and also swamp wallabies.” 

60 Milk Bottles A Day

“It costs $400 for 20kg so it’s no wonder the joey’s absolutely gobbled it down.  We feed them four times a day but the little ones get fed five to six times a day,” said Tony who describes it as “golden milk”. Besides all that the couple has been up to,the most difficult part is yet to be revealed and trust us on this, financial issues come later for them.

Possibilities

The Matthews are doing a great job when they gave up their regular lives and started living a better one with these joeys, “This was not planned, the wildlife found us, we live on a standard house block. Joeys are fed specialist milk till they are eighteen months of age. Because our block is so small we have to buy hard feeds e.g. Scharf and dry grasses for them. All medications and pathology are paid for by us.”

Letting Them Go

“It’s hard to say goodbye and I always cry all the way home but, you know, it’s about them not us. We’ve done our job, so we’ve gotta let them go.” Once the joeys are mature enough, they are left back in the wild which is very hard for the Matthews to say goodbye and the fact that it’ll be more difficult for the roos.

They’ve their own dreams that all is for their little babies and being able to take care of them in a much more better way and more of them and thus they’d this mission for themselves we’re about to tell you.

Dreaming Of Freedom

“So far I have had a high success rate. We have not had a holiday since we started this venture which has given us a purpose we don’t mind going without as we love and care about our wildlife and believe they are worth it,” mentioned Theresa on her website. So, how will they manage? Because so far their actions have made it clear to us that they won’t let any joey to be euthanized!

Volunteers

Theresa once said, “A lot of people think we get paid to do this, and we don’t, but if I don’t do it, then who will? I stress about how I’m going to keep it up; if these animals double then I don’t know how we’re going to afford it.”People have been showing interest in the Matthews’ cause and are volunteering for the little joeys in rescuing and fostering as well. While the awareness increased, they got a huge success.

A Small Success

The success is about a petition that was initiated by a volunteer at “Our Haven Wildlife Shelter” signed by many to lower down the speed limits in the area where kangaroos are mostly out during nights and especially the areas that are more prone to accidents. “From dusk to dawn, you just need to slow down. There’s quite a few bad areas around here; we’re constantly rescuing along the Longford-Loch Sport and Seaspray roads. Kangaroos have really poor eyesight, so when headlights are on them, it just confuses them even more.” They’ve got a small target to achieve for a true cause that we’re about to tell you.

Mission

Though the couple has transformed their home for these wild beings and has recently constructed a separate room for these babies in their garden that’s not enough. “Our Dream would be to have land out of town away from main roads so we could release our orphans safely, at the moment we have to sedate them when they are 18 months of age transport them which is a three hour drive to a large shelter where they are soft released, which is very stressful on the orphans and ourselves,” explained the kind-hearted couple on their website. They started receiving animal charities in Australia and later on from many parts of the world

We’ve quite a few people caring for native Australian wildlife, just like the Matthews and we’re sure you would love to know about them.

Snugglers

Abigail, for years, has been hugging her rescuer every day as a ritual. She was rescued and taken to the Kangaroo Sanctuary in Alice Springs when she was a 5-month-old baby. Her hugging all her caretakers has become a tradition in the sanctuary and we doubt anyone could resist from such an adorable baby. And there’s even more touching video in the next slide for waiting for you of a rescued joey.

Rescued From The Pouch

“We pulled over as we wanted to check whether the mother was alive and if she had a joey in her pouch. We found this young female,” explains Drew who is reaching to the mother kangaroo’s pouch to rescue the baby in the video.

People are being more aware of these animals and to save them and giving them their right to live is a Holy act.