The sanctuary.
We are a non-profit organisation focused on providing a safe and life long home to abused, orphaned & neglected animals.
We are committed to giving as many animals we can the life they deserve. A life where they are free to truly be themselves and where they are respected and loved for the amazing individuals they are!
Lilly Moss Sanctuary is set on over 80 hectares of rolling pasture land featuring and surrounded by beautiful New Zealand native forest and is a dedicated safe space for animals in need with a special focus on the rescue & sanctuary of lambs & sheep.
We believe in a message of compassion and kindness to all animals and aim to educate through the many stories of our sanctuary residents.
Creating a kinder world for animals!
Compassion . Kindness . Empathy
The purposes of our Charity Trust are:
To rescue and provide a permanent home for abused, abandoned and neglected animals.
To treat animals with respect, kindness and compassion & to provide a high standard of animal care and promote animal rights.
To raise awareness as to the rights and intrinsic value of all animals.
To teach compassion and respect for all animals and promote awareness and facilitate education in relation to the sanctuary of animals in New Zealand.
Conservation; to maintain and regenerate areas of native vegetation located on the sanctuary land and establish and maintain areas of natural habitat for wildlife.
Lilly Moss Animal Sanctuary is a registered charity under the Charitable Trusts Act 1957. Registration #CC58060.
Donations are tax ductable - see the ird website here for more info!
Helping native wildlife and biodiversity
Conservation
What we do for conservation…
We value and care for our natural environment and are aware of its importance for our future.
Lilly Moss is home to a thriving population of native bird species including Weka, Ruru, Kakaruwai, Tui & Kereru. We have dedicated large areas (approx 30 hectares) of the sanctuary land to natural habitat for native species and with continued efforts, are reforesting, regenerating and extending this habitat. The ancient forest here is a diverse habitat and is home to many unique & important native plant, insect, bird and tree species.
With care & thought we can learn to tread more lightly on our world and help our native wildlife thrive!
About Tess
Founder & Director
Isla & Tess
Tess has always had a special bond and empathy for all animals. As a child animals were her best friends and she always preferred the company of animals and found them much easier to understand and relate to than her fellow humans. She was in total admiration of their quiet gentle souls and knew she would always share a strong connection with them.
Her passion and love for animals led her to studying animal sciences and becoming qualified as a Veterinary Technician. She then went on to work at a number of Veterinary clinics, Animal Rescues and Shelters over the following years. In 2015 she moved to a semi rural property with her husband Jordan and their two rescue dogs Moss & Lilly. It was here that both Jordan & Tess became even more involved and passionate about animal rights.
One day in early spring Tess was out walking with her dogs when she came across a tiny baby lamb all alone with not another sheep in sight. The little baby was sick and weak. He was unable to even lift his little head. Tess was able to negotiate with the farmer to let her try and save the little lambs life! Sadly the vet confirmed he was very sick indeed and was suffering from pneumonia and severe joint infection. The Vet advised that they should consider euthanising the little lamb but Tess had such a strong feeling in her heart that told her otherwise. She decided then and there to name the sick little lamb Ferdinand and to do everything she possibly could to save his life! With lots of love, care and many sleepless nights little Ferdinand who had such a strong will to live, went on to thrive and enjoy many years of living the best life a sheep could imagine!
Little Ferdinand changed the course of both Tess & Jordan’s lives, it was though finding Ferdinand that day and forming the most incredible bond that Tess knew she had to do whatever it took to open up a sanctuary for animals just like little Ferdinand and to dedicate her life to healing the many unwanted and forgotten souls, there really were so many animals that needed help… so Lilly Moss the sanctuary was born!
Ferdinand & Tess
About Jordan
Co - Founder
Eddie and Jordan
Ferdinand and Jordan
As a youngster Jordan loved most animals but never gave it much more thought than that for many years. Through meeting Tess and getting to know her, Jordan was kindly led to question the standard view and treatment of animals. After looking into animal rights and the changes he could make to his lifestyle, his eyes were opened and Jordan came to realise the very real impacts our everyday choices have on animals.
Rescuing Ferdinand and having him in his life cemented for Jordan how amazing all animals are and how they are all individuals regardless of species, and that looking after and protecting them is of such importance. Ferdinand had such strong character and personality and was the best of mate, and knowing how most of his relatives would be treated was for Jordan, extremely sad.
Jordan loves supporting Tess with the message of kindness and compassion by helping Lilly Moss Animal Sanctuary thrive and grow. He believes seeing animals rescued from sad and unnecessary fates be able to live out amazing and happy lives in peace is a beautiful thing all animals deserve. He hopes the sanctuary’s message and their residents can inspire people to help them connect with animals, so they realise the importance of their view towards them.
Make a donation
If you would like to help us with our mission to create a kinder world for animals, please consider making a tax-deductible donation.
With your help we can continue our mission of rescuing animals in need and giving them the life they deserve.
