Our name encapsulates our fundamental belief: that every animal deserves to live out their days with the best quality of life possible. The right to grow old with dignity, and to be treated with respect and care.
Animals make our world, and our lives, infinitely richer.
Yet, so many are neglected, discarded or killed once they’ve served their so-called ‘purpose’. Having given everything to humans, they’re left with nothing in return. In our eyes, this is very wrong, and it is what we are working to change.
We’re here to change things for the better, for all animals.
From those exhausted by factory farming, to those endangered by loss of habitat. And of course, those who have unfairly lost their places as beloved pets.
We’re here to educate humans about the lifetime commitment animals require. To rescue and rehome animals who are in critical need of care, and to support other organisations who are working towards the same goals as us.
Our Work
At AtGO, we know that improving animal welfare is a complex and multi-faceted challenge. So, we are tackling it in three ways.
Rescue & rehoming
At our home base in Arcadia, NSW, we provide care and shelter to animals in need of urgent care. Some are re-homed, and others stay with us for life – either way, they are guaranteed to live out their days with the best possible quality of life.
Educate
All too often, animal welfare is compromised by lack of knowledge or outdated beliefs. We aim to equip people with a better understanding of what animals really need, and in doing so, reduce the number of pets needlessly surrendered and euthanised each year.
Support & collaborate
As well as funding our own rescue program, we fund animal welfare activities led by other organisations. We’re very careful about who we support, only funneling money to where we know it’s spent on animals, not bureaucracy. Together with like-minded peers, we also lobby for better animal welfare policies and standards.
partners & Initiatives
We know that ‘together, we’re greater than the sum of our parts’. So, instead of competing with others who are working towards similar goals, we connect, collaborate and amplify our potential for impact.
We have helped build a wombat / echidna / bandicoot rehabilitation enclosure for the Hills Wildlife Sanctuary which now enables the rehabilitation of these species and are providing monthly payments to enable the facility to continue to expand.
We have helped many animals through Sydney Wildlife Rescue, some now call us home! To date we have rescued, rehabilitated & released 60 native animals.
We have helped build for the Sumatran Bear Team a facility for rehabilitating bears and giving long term care in Sumatra. We also provide monthly support which allows the carers of the bears to continue their work and provide enrichment and care.
We have to date helped vaccinate 40 'poundies' through the Warm Paws Charity and will continue with monthly donations.
We were working with the Animal Welfare League NSW taking on animals that needed extra care which could be given by a smaller facility. This in turn had freed up space for more easily homed pets and helped save more lives. All the animals that we cared for, were successfully rehomed by AWL.
Hills Wildlife Sanctuary
Sydney Wildlife Rescue
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The Sumatran Sun Bear Team (SBBT)
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Warm Paws
Animal Welfare League NSW
Our Residents
Boori (Boo) is our Miniature Horse who joined us in 2024. Born in 2017, his first owners moved & left him to fend for himself. When we got to him, he was in a dirty paddock, no grass and lots of rubbish around. He had limited interactions with people & has always been alone. It has been so beautiful to see Boo start to trust & enjoy his forever home.
Our beautiful girl Bindi (Boo's girlfriend), joined us in 2024. She was born in 2012, was used as a breeding mare & once she was no longer needed at her original home, we knew she had to join us. Boo & Bindi have a lovely friendship & share a growing affection towards each other.
A 2 year old thoroughbred who came to us in 1994, that was left to die in a paddock with no feed as he would not go to the front on race days and win. Nearly dead we nursed him back to health over a period of 12 months, the mental trauma took much longer. It has taken him years to understand that he will never be starved again and when his dinner is late he does not need to become frantic thinking he won’t be fed. He has been with us for many, many years and has given so much pleasure to so many by just being himself. I cannot imagine him not having the life he has had by dying young because no one cared.
Bought over the internet for a riding horse by a person who then found out she was unrideable – drugged, forced who knows. I found out about her and she came to stay forever. This poor little mare came to us in 2016 with a host of trust issues and was quite malnourished, she had obviously been forced to take a saddle and bridle, but no time had been taken to allow her the time to accept so she had been severely traumatised. Over time she has come to realise she is in a place where she can trust and has blossomed. Her coat is now a rich gold and her mane is soft and healthy. A mischievous little girl whose eyes now show trust and confidence.
Born in 2006, Aimee was a brood mare that was sold as a youngster, raced and then sent for breeding having failed as a racehorse. She was well looked after at the stud she lived but was coming to the end of her productive life. I couldn’t bear to think of the options for her so she came to stay in 2024. A plight of many thoroughbred horses who are discarded after being no longer useful.
Diego & Esmerelda are our gorgeous Geese! Esmerelda was found trapped in fishing wire, with Diego unwilling to leave her side. They joined us in 2025 & we are so happy they are here. They like to think of themselves as the King & Queen of the Feather Friends!
Danny was released to us by a friend of a friend. Loosing all his flock to a fox he came to us to a safe, secure run where he was a little lost to start with as he had no friends. With the arrival of Delilah and Daisy he settled into life here as though he had always lived here, showing his new girls around and introducing them to the chickens.
Rescued as babies (dumped in a pond) by Sydney Wildlife who reached out to us knowing we had Danny and needed some company for him. Delilah is very confident and is happy to sit on your lap and enjoy a quick cuddle. Daisy is happy to eat from your hand but not so fond of laps. She loves eating in the tub of water!!
Rescued by the SES swiftwater team from a fishing line entanglement, she was then handed to Sydney Wildlife who reached out to us. Swifty was like so many other Pekin ducks very cute as a baby but very messy and loud as an adult. Many people think releasing them onto a communal pond is the best thing when they do not want them anymore, but they can't survive. They have tiny wings and can’t fly, they have large bodies, they don't have any camouflage, and they struggle to find food to survive on.
Our sweet Jane & Emma joined us in 2025 after both girls had been dumped in a public pond. On arrival to us, we noticed Jane had a limp. After a vet consultation we were advised that she had a previous injury that was left completely untreated. She will permanently struggle to walk, so we have made some improvements to her home; including ramps & soft bedding. Emma has settled in beautifully & she is the loudest duck of the group!
Our little boy Quinn joined our Pekin group in 2025. He was found worried & lonely wandering around a park after being dumped. A lovely family alerted us to him & he now calls AtGO home. Being only a juvenile when he joined us, he was shy at first. Now, he has warmed up & is very much apart of the flock.
Being a rooster not many options are available when you are not wanted anymore. Lucky for him we were there and he has found a forever home with us and a bevy of girls. His three black girls are all quite different. Bridget does not like getting too close to humans or any other hen except for her two black friends. Barbara is quite confident and keeps all the other girls in line. Betty , the smallest is also a bit cheeky and loves her food.
Miss C is of course very happy for any interaction with humans and loves to know what is happening. Dorothy loves fluffy out her beautiful feathers and strutting around. Martha loves eating from your hand and enjoys being fed inside not outside with the others.
Gertrude knows she is beautiful and struts in front of everyone. Edwina is very shy and has taken the longest to settle. She is still flighty but gaining in confidence. Mrs Magoo is quite aloof but is also beginning to understand she is in a good place now. Charlotte is the smallest and most gorgeous of all. She is very sweet and loves Henry, sitting under him to get any leftovers.
These 3 ladies joined us in January 2025. Their owner was moving & she couldn't take them with her. She reached out to us & we welcomed them into our group. They are settling in brilliantly & finding their feet in their new home.
Donate to make a difference
As an independent, not-for-profit foundation, we count on the financial support of our supporters. We’re very careful about the activities we fund, ensuring that the money is spent on animals, not bureaucracy.
Our major donor is Calabash Kennels, who contribute to AtGO Foundation a minimum of 10% of profits annually. Every donation from you increases the number of smaller charities we can help. All donations are welcome, no matter how large or small.
Our team
Allowed to Grow Old is led by a Board of Directors with diverse skills and experience, and a shared passion for animal welfare.
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As the owner of Calabash Kennels & Cattery, Linda has spent the last 25 years creating an environment where animals are cared for and respected – a true ‘home away from home’. This experience, together with her farming background, inspired Linda to establish AtGO in 2024. She brings a wealth of animal management expertise gained from her own business and from working with other charities. Many horses, dogs, cats and wildlife have been helped over the years. Linda’s goal is now to educate people about the sentient nature of animals and continue to support genuine charities and enable them to grow.
Georgia is the Manager of Calabash Kennels & Cattery and has worked with animals for the last decade. This was her goal from young age, inspiring Georgia to complete her Bachelor of Science in Zoology at university. After graduating, Georgia discovered her passion for working with domestic animals, which led her to complete her Certificate III in Dog Behaviour & Training. Georgia’s aim is to further educate people on the respect, welfare and training of all animals, both big and small.
Sam has spent that last decade in the animal industry, beginning his career at a wildlife park he then moved into a role at The Animal Welfare League NSW. During his time with the AWL, he rose to become Head of Animal Welfare Services, which involves managing a team of 75 staff members and overseeing 2000 animals a year. Sam is proud to have been a part of the team that has achieved the best statistics in the Animal Welfare League’s 64 years.
Cathy has a Bachelor of Commerce, is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand. She is also a Registered Tax Agent with the Australian Taxation Office and has a genuine love and compassion for all animals. This unique combination of qualities makes her an asset to the AtGO team.
Holding a MA (English) from Cambridge, Jeanan has spent over thirty years in Advertising and Marketing across Australia, New Zealand and the UK. Jeanan’s expertise includes the development of marketing strategies, consumer insights and go-to-market campaigns, and she has been involved with countless blue chip clients, as well as NFPs including Cancer Council NSW, Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation, and Hospitals United for Sick Kids. A competitive equestrian, Jeanan’s passion for horses has been a constant throughout her life, and she now focuses on the rehabilitation and retraining of retired racehorses.
Sarah is a qualified solicitor specialising in commercial and corporate law. Throughout her decade-long career, Sarah has advised and assisted numerous charities with their commercial and legal needs. Sarah has a particular interest and skillset in corporate governance, having completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors course in 2022. She also has hands-on experience working with a number of charity NFPs, and is currently Chairperson of Prelude Australia Limited and Non-Executive Director of Hunter Young Professionals. Sarah’s love for animals (particularly dogs) has also seen hold volunteer with both the RSPCA and Dog Rescue Newcastle, where she adopted her 3 rescue staffies.
Get in touch
Interested in learning more about Allowed to Grow Old?
Please contact us – we’d love to hear from you.