#sanctuary – Anitha Rao-Robinson

Episode 119: Kindness Is Jarjeer Mules

Published on May 28, 2025 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

One of the highlights of Anitha’s time in Marrakech, Morocco was meeting Susan Machin and getting a tour of Jarjeer—the sanctuary she created for donkeys, mules and horses.

Anitha was thrilled when Susan agreed to be a guest on the podcast.

Susan talks about her journey from being a Barrister in the UK to moving to Morocco. She shares the ups and downs of those first few days, weeks, months of sanctuary life.

Susan also talks about the importance of community involvement and support in order to change the perspective of equines in a country where they are often seen as tools to accomplish tasks, and sadly treated and discarded as such.

An incredible conversation with an incredible woman who has dedicated her life to help sick and injured equines get the care they deserve.

To learn more about Jarjeer, check out their website and Instagram:

Jarjeer website

Jarjeer Instagram

As a thank you to Susan for sharing her story, Anitha donated to Sunshine Animal Refuge in Agadir (SARA). This animal rescue was created in 2013 by Michele Augsburger in response to the dire living conditions of street animals in Morocco. SARA is dedicated to providing animals a happy and healthy life by offering them refuge. To learn more about SARA, check out their website:

Sunshine Animal Refuge- Agadir

To hear the full episode, click here:

Episode 92: Kindness Is Creating Freedom Farmhouse

Published on October 23, 2024October 23, 2024 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Emily Bott joins Anitha to talk about purchasing a property in 2018 that turned out to house a colony of 16 feral/barn cats. Emily and her partner, Dylan decided not only to allow the cats to remain on the property, but worked hard to gain the trust of the cats so they could be spayed/neutered and vaccinated. Life for the cats was so good, they eventually chose to live inside with Emily and Dylan!

These cats now enjoy being warm, safe, lounging on soft beds and so much more!

In the six years since moving to the property, Emily and Dylan have expanded their rescue journey to include farm animals such as donkeys and goats.

The farm’s mission is to provide compassionate care, rescue and sanctuary for animals in need. Emily shares some really heartwarming stories of the animals on the farm.

To learn more about Freedom Farmhouse, check out the following links:

Freedom Farmhouse Website

Freedom Farmhouse Instagram

As a thank you to Emily for sharing her story, Anitha donated to Rochester Emergency Veterinary Services.

This emergency veterinary hospital is fundraising to set up a new location to help more communities and more pets. To learn about what they do and what they are fundraising for, check out their website: REVS Website

To hear the full episode, click here:

Episode 80: Kindness Is Life With Pigs

Published on July 31, 2024 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Ryan and Mallory Phillips were brought together by a mutual love for a tiny calf.

They join Anitha to talk not only about their incredible ‘how did you meet’ story, which Anitha thought should be made into a movie, but also what it’s like to share a home with a menagerie of animals, such as pigs, chickens, cows and many other amazing beings, they call family.

Ryan also talks about his path to sanctuary life and how it all began when he received a call about a pig named Pumpkin, who needed a home, and needed one fast. Soon after, came Pumpkin’s daughter Charlotte, and thus began Ryan’s life with pigs.

An inspiring story of love and hope.

To learn more about Ryan and Mallory and their Life With Pigs Farm Animal Sanctuary, check out the following links:

Facebook www.facebook.com/lifewithpigs

Instagram www.instagram.com/lifewithpigsfarmsanctuary

Youtube www.youtube.com/lifewithpigs

Website lifewithpigs.com

As a thank you to Ryan and Mallory for sharing their story, Anitha donated to Life With Pigs Farm Animal Sanctuary.

To hear the full episode, click here:

Episode 71: Kindness Is Loving A Pig Named Esther

Published on May 9, 2024 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Derek Walter’s life took a dramatic turn when his then partner, Steve Jenkins brought home a tiny little pig named Esther. Derek talks to Anitha about how this small being created huge and wonderful changes in his life.

Derek quickly fell in love with Esther, became one of her two dads, moved from a suburb to the country so Esther could have all the space a pig needed, welcomed even more farm animals, and eventually co-founded Happily Ever Esther Farm Sanctuary (HEEFS)

This is an incredible conversation about love, family, community, grief, and an unbelievable legacy.

To learn more about Derek and HEEFS, please check out these links:

Happily Ever Esther Farm Sanctuary

http://www.happilyeveresther.ca

Happily Ever Esther Farm Sanctuary Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/happilyeveresther?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Derek’s personal website

www.derekwalter.ca

Derek’s personal Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/EsthersDadDerek?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Esther the Wonder Pig Website

www.estherthewonderpig.com

As a thank you to Derek for sharing his story, Anitha donated to HEEFS. Having volunteered at HEEFS and seeing firsthand the beautiful and healing place it is for both the residents and the folks who spend time there, Anitha was thrilled to support this organization.

To listen to this heartwarming episode, click on the link below.

Episode 47: Kindness Is Healing Animals Big & Small

Published on September 12, 2022 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

Dr. Vivek Basu fulfilled his childhood dream of becoming a veterinarian— and what an incredible veterinarian he has become. Vivek donates a lot of his time and skills to help animals of all sizes, near and far.

In addition to talking about what it’s like to treat many different animals—dogs, cats, racehorses, rescued primates and wildlife, we also explore difficult subjects like trophy hunting and the difference between zoos and sanctuaries.

As a thank you for sharing his story, Anitha donated to Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary, one of the sanctuaries where Vivek donates his veterinary skills. This sanctuary provides healing and recovery from trauma for primates who have been rescued from laboratories, roadside zoos and other terrible circumstances.

To learn more about Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary, please check out: https://www.storybookmonkeys.org/

Episode 37: Kindness Is Saving Sheep

Published on March 20, 2022March 22, 2022 by anitharobinsonLeave a comment

For the past two years, the pandemic has created much havoc throughout the world, but for one young person, the lockdown brought a silver-lining.

Savannah Allen from Adelaide, South Australia shares her story of having to lockdown near a petting zoo.

Savannah and her family soon realized that the baby lambs they had come to know and love had a terrible fate awaiting them, as often is the case for animals used for profit. So, she and her family rescued the four lambs.

Savannah talks about her love of animals, wanting to start her own sanctuary and what she has learned from this experience.

To learn more about Savannah and support her goal of raising awareness about farm animals, check her Instagram page: @savannahsfarmlife

As a thank you for sharing her story, Anitha donated to Freedom Hill Sanctuary. A non-profit charity, dedicated to providing a loving home to abused and neglected farm animals. To learn more about this organization, please click on this link: https://www.freedomhill.com.au/