Wandering Angels Animal Sanctuary
Words Brooke Sheehan
The 63-year-old founder of Waipu’s Wandering Angels Animal Sanctuary says the pull to rescue was in her bones right from the start. As an adult, Michele entered the corporate world, excelling in sales for nearly 20 years. But working long hours was no deterrent, she continued to rescue in the evenings.
Raising five daughters with her then husband on a lifestyle block, the family took in livestock, dogs, cats, injured seagulls, a turkey with a broken leg, even a pūkeko. People knew, if an animal was in trouble, take it to Michele. When her children grew, and her marriage ended, she kept rescuing.
Six years ago Michele quit corporate work and began fostering for the Auckland dog rescue, Saving Hope Foundation. Pound dogs changed her life. “I felt the older dogs needed me most, so I started my own rescue to focus on them,” marking the beginning of Wandering Angels. Three years in, the sanctuary has been a beacon of hope for abandoned and surrendered dogs of all ages and breeds, both locally and nationwide.
But rescue can eat away at your life, with so many animals it’s rarely possible for Michele to leave the sanctuary. Yet, she was determined to attend her mother’s 90th birthday recently, a two-hour drive away. She was late but she made it, and also saved a dog from a bullet on the journey home. “Mum won’t be around forever and my kids are so important. I know they’re proud of what I do but I feel I’m not there for them, and I want to be,” says Michele.
Self-talk and her loving partner, Johnny, help Michele navigate through the dark days. “I tell myself I cannot save them all. If you try, you burn out. Every day I wake up knackered,” she says. “Even in corporate, I was jumping on planes and dealing with constant deadlines. Now, I’m lugging round panels, fixing runs and exercising dogs. It’s exhausting.”
Since the pandemic and the increase in surrenders and abandonments, dog rescues have faced immense pressure. Michele says it’s hard finding balance and taking care of herself. “When you’re full, you must be strong and say no. Then, you must deal with that, in your head and your heart, afterwards. When I now it’s the pound’s euthanasia day, I have a quiet moment, to honour them,” she says.
The new Wandering Angels Golden Years Dog Program is what Michelle’s most proud of. WAGY gives both senior dogs and elderly, or otherwise compromised people, the chance to experience companionship and love without the financial burden. Those who join are carefully matched with a WAGY dog. Healthcare is fully funded, foster support is provided during any hospital stays and Michele asks for only a $200 annual fee to cover dog registration. Plus, if an owner passes away the dog is matched to a new WAGY home.
“I cannot describe how passionate I am about oldies. They need comfortable
beds, warmth, love and vet care. They are wonderful companions that truly benefit our mental health,” she says. Growing so big, so quickly, Michele says, the rescue really needs support. “We’re looking for reliable volunteers, and donations are a godsend for us,” she says. If you’d like to learn more, check out their website.