Nineteen-year-old Jasmine Hubber has rescued nearly 200 cows and calves from a one-way trip to the meatworks with her not-for-profit cow sanctuary 'Til the Cows Come Home.
Photo: RNZ/Cosmo Kentish-Barnes
Some of Jasmine's adopted herd go to other animal lovers who sign a contract to ensure they are well cared for and not sold on or fattened for meat.
The rest see out their days on 130 acres of leased and family-owned farmland in the area.
"If I can't personally take them I'll always find a way to find somewhere for them to go, even if it's a temporary foster home until we can find a forever home."
Photo: RNZ/Cosmo Kentish-Barnes
Funding for the cow sanctuary comes from donations, individual animal sponsorships and Hubber's own wage packet - she works full time at a supermarket in Rangiora. It's still a struggle to cover all the costs, though.
"We spend about $1500 to $2500 on feed every month...we feed baleage, hay, pellets and muesli. Apart from grazing, our biggest expense is feed."
The teenager's long-term goal is to get her own land "about 500 or 600 acres of nice land that's easy for the older folk, not humans, the cows!" and to open the sanctuary to the public as an educational and well-being facility.
Photo: RNZ/Cosmo Kentish-Barnes
