Tails OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF ANIMAL WELFARE LEAGUE QUEENSLAND | EST. 1959
SPRING 2018
tawl
Our Patrons
CEO’S MESSAGE Welcome to our Spring edition of Tawl Tails. It’s hard to believe we are in September already and with that comes the warmer weather. While for most Spring provides a reprieve from the cold, for AWLQ it signals the start of a very challenging time of the year, kitten season. Cats are prolific breeders with one female cat capable of having up to three litters a year. AWLQ is a leader in the campaign to desex and through our National Desexing Network we work with the community to prevent unwanted litters. We are excited to announce AWLQ will be partnering with Brisbane City Council to offer subsidised desexing for Brisbane residents through the Brisbane Cooperative Desexing Program. The warmer weather also means tick season and our Community Vet Clinics are already seeing cases of paralysis ticks. Not only is the paralysis tick one of the most common, it’s also one of the most dangerous. Please ensure you protect your pets this tick season. We were recently honoured and delighted to welcome back Ita Buttrose AO OBE to our Gold Coast Rehoming
AWLQ HEAD OFFICE Shelter Road Coombabah QLD 4216 PO Box 3253 Helensvale Town Centre QLD 4212 07 5509 9000 info@awlqld.com.au Bequests & Legacy Pets 07 5509 9099 bequests@awlqld.com.au
Business Relations & Fundraising Manager 07 5509 9057 fundraising@awlqld.com.au
HON. MICHAEL KIRBY AC CMG
Centre for our Golden HeartsTM event An audience with Ita. AWLQ is fortunate to have the support of Ita Buttrose as one of AWLQ’s Patrons and Ambassador of our Golden HeartsTM Seniors Pet Support Program. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our generous supporters who donated to our recent Tax Appeal. As a result, we raised over $70,000.00 from this. On behalf of over 12,900 animals who will benefit from your kindness this year, we thank you.
ITA BUTTROSE AO OBE
We invest $660.00 into each animal to prepare them for adoption. This money is never recouped. We can’t sustain it on our own, and it’s not too late to donate. I encourage you to visit our website to make a donation today. Our goals are ambitious. We don’t turn away animals who are suffering, we don’t euthanise animals because they are old or require treatment. Our model is different and because of this we need your support now more than ever.
MEMBER OF AUSTRALIAN CHARITIES FOUNDATION
Warm regards,
Denise Bradley Chief Executive Officer
FOUNDING MEMBER OF ANIMAL WELFARE LEAGUE AUSTRALIA
FEEDBACK
Events
AWLQ ANIMAL REHOMING CENTRES
07 5509 9015 events@awlqld.com.au
Gold Coast
Beenleigh
Friends Forever Loyalty Program
Shelter Road, Coombabah 07 5509 9000 goldcoastrehoming@awlqld.com.au
Rossmans Road, Stapylton 07 3807 3782 beenleighrehoming@awlqld.com.au
07 5509 9033 friendsforever@awlqld.com.au
Warra
Willawong
523 Telegraph Road, Bracken Ridge 07 3631 6800 warrashelter@awlqld.com.au
501 Gooderham Road, Willawong 07 3714 2800 willawongshelter@awlqld.com.au
AWLQ COMMUNITY VET CLINICS
SOCIAL CHANNELS
Fostering 07 5509 9020 fostering@awlqld.com.au
Golden HeartsTM Seniors Pet Support 07 5509 9033 goldenhearts@awlqld.com.au
PR & Communications Manager 07 5509 9030 communications@awlqld.com.au
Community & School Education
Volunteering
07 5509 9034 education@awlqld.com.au
07 5509 9019 volunteering@awlqld.com.au
Gold Coast Community Vet Clinic Shelter Road, Coombabah 07 5594 0111 goldcoastvetclinic@awlqld.com.au
Ipswich Community Vet Clinic 42 Tiger Street, West Ipswich 07 3812 7533 ipswichvetclinic@awlqld.com.au
@AWLQLD #awlq /Animal Welfare League Qld
We would love to hear from you. Please send any feedback, photos or story ideas to communications@awlqld.com.au.
© No part of Tawl Tails may be produced or used in any form or by any means, either wholly or in part, without prior written permission from Animal Welfare League Queensland.
With your support in 2017/18 Our shelters rehomed
6373 animals
Our shelters desexed
Our shelters rehomed
cats and dogs
senior cats and dogs
Our shelters microchipped
Our shelter vets provided
3962
3881
cats and dogs
430
30775 medical treatments
Thank you Page 3 - Tawl Tails Spring Edition 2018
An audience with Ita Media personality Ita Buttrose AO OBE, AWLQ Patron and Golden HeartsTM Seniors Pet Support Program Ambassador, joined us at our Gold Coast Rehoming Centre for a very special Golden HeartsTM event.
“As we age it is important to keep active and engaged with our peers, and the Golden Heart events provide just that. “It was wonderful to hear first-hand the positive impact this program is having on Seniors lives. There was Rusty who AWLQ cared for when his owner was rushed to hospital, along with Bella who has transformed the life of Christine. Both stories were so heart-warming! “They were a true testament to the important role animals play in our lives,” said Ms Buttrose. As its Ambassador since 2015, Ita says she is so proud to endorse the Golden Hearts™ program. This highly interactive event saw well-known presenter Ian Cousins interview Ita in front of a live audience, followed by questions from the audience. Denise Bradley, AWLQ Chief Executive Officer says with a growing population of senior-aged people in our community, Golden HeartsTM presents a unique community avenue for elderly people to stay in their homes while happily ageing in the company of their pets. “Golden HeartsTM is a world-first community initiative with proven health and social benefits for mature-aged people. “In developing Golden HeartsTM, a free pet support program for people aged 65 and over, AWLQ recognises how beneficial the shared experience of companionship can be. It’s well documented that sharing your life with a companion animal provides increased physical activity and offers an alternative to a life of isolation. “AWLQ is incredibly fortunate to have the support of Ita Buttrose as one of AWLQ’s Patrons and Ambassador of our Golden HeartsTM program,” said Ms Bradley Ms Buttrose said it was a pleasure to spend time with so many Golden Hearts™ members and hoped they enjoyed their time as much as she did.
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“Advocating for seniors in the community, I’ve come to understand the unique challenges facing those in this age group. Owning and caring for a companion animal can relieve many of these challenges. However senior-aged people often wrongly believe they are too old to care for a pet and there are times when many elderly people who do own a pet, sometimes feel in need of extra support to care for their animals but are unsure of where to turn to for help. “Golden Hearts™ supports the many benefits of animal companionship and has been designed to break down barriers that stand in the way of senior people owning pets. I look forward to spending time with all the Golden Hearts™ members again in the near future,” said Ms Buttrose. For more information on Golden HeartsTM Seniors Pet Support Program call 07 5509 9033 or visit awlqld.com.au/golden-hearts.
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8. 1. Jacquie Kennedy - Golden Hearts™ Program Manager, AWLQ; David Crisafulli - MP for Broadwater; Ita Buttrose; Sam O’Connor - MP for Bonney; Denise Bradley - Chief Executive Officer, AWLQ 2. Amanda Abate - Presenter, 7 News Gold Coast and Ita Buttrose 3. Ita Buttrose and Fay Bradley Golden Hearts™ Member 4. Ita Buttrose meets an AWLQ dog 5. Christine Weldon - Golden Hearts™ Member 6. Ita Buttrose and Thorne Lyons - AWLQ Ambassador with Golden Hearts™ Members 7. Cathy Stewart - 1029 Hot Tomato and Ita Buttrose 8. Ita Buttrose with Golden Hearts™ Members
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Protect your pet this tick season Every year the paralysis tick, will cause paralysis in over 100,000 companion animals on the east coast of Australia. Paralysis ticks are external parasites that suck the blood from their host animal and their salivary glands produce a toxin that affects the nervous system on the host.
Once paralysis occurs the animal is likely to die unless it is treated quickly with anti-tick serum injected by a vet. It still takes 48 hours for the toxin to be removed so your pet can continue to deteriorate during this time. WHERE ARE PARALYSIS TICKS FOUND? Ticks need humidity and mild weather to develop and aren’t able to survive in cold climates. They are most commonly found along the east coast of Australia during the warmer months, but can be found inland in suitable habitats and in northern parts of the country all-year-round. HOW CAN I PROTECT MY PET? The best way to protect your pet is to check them daily. Begin with their head and remember that you’re more likely to feel the tick than see it, so make sure you use your hands. Check inside your pet’s ears, nose, mouth, under their chin and around their throat. Move down the front legs and check in between their toes. Feel along their body making sure to check their belly, and then check down their back legs and in between their toes. Inspect your pet’s genital region as ticks can sometimes be found there and finish with their tail.
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HOW TO SPOT THE SIGNS OF TICK POISONING If your pet has come into contact with a paralysis tick they will experience paralysis in a variety of forms. A typical case will start with a weakness in the hindquarters that will then progress to total paralysis of all four legs. Other early symptoms may include the following: • Difficulty breathing • Loss of appetite • Vomiting or dry retching • Excessive salivation • Difficulty swallowing • Coughing • Noisy panting
“Not only is the paralysis tick one of the most common, it’s also one of the most dangerous.”
Dear Supporter Thank you for your donation to the 2018 AWLQ Tax Appeal. Your love of animals and gift has provided a future for abandoned animals – a future they deserve. You have helped us to help them. Animals like Kojak who was dumped on the streets in pain, with no fur to keep him warm. With your support AWLQ brought Kojak back to health, together we helped his fur grow back and made him strong again. We took away his pain, we gave him a whole new life full of love and kindness. Most importantly, you gave him a second chance as he now has a permanent loving home with a family. It’s so different from the lonely and frightening world he’d come from. On behalf of over 12,900 animals who will continue to benefit from your kindness this year, we thank you. Kind regards,
Denise Bradley Chief Executive Officer
To every animal that comes through our doors we make a promise. To never euthanise a healthy, sociable or treatable animal in our care.
KOJAK - MAY 2018
KOJAK - JULY 2018
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And they lived happily ever after We promise to never euthanise a healthy, sociable or treatable animal. Some animals stay in our care for weeks, even months until they find a home. These are happy tales from families who have provided their new companions a second chance after spending more than 120 days in our care.
Rugsie had been waiting more than 120 days to be adopted, but when she was spotted by Rochelle, Rugsie’s wait was finally over.
“The biggest hurdle has been her separation anxiety. We have started working with a dog trainer to help her adjust.”
“As soon as I saw her I just said can I please take her. I just knew she had to come home with me, it was definitely love at first sight! Rugsie is very gentle, calm, caring and easy-going. She’s the perfect mix of playful and relaxed. She’s happy to go for a long walk and run around and play and equally as happy to just relax next to you on the couch,” says Rochelle.
Rochelle’s advice to anyone considering adopting an animal, who has spent a long time at a shelter, is to make sure that if the animal needs any extra care or attention ensure you have the time. Also that you are willing to put the effort in to help give that animal the best life ever. She says every animal deserves that regardless of their age and circumstances!
She definitely wasn’t very animated when she was in the shelter, I noticed that when I first saw her. She has come out of her shell so much since bringing her home. She makes small improvements every day and I feel that is because she is understanding more and more every day that this is her life now.
“I would absolutely recommend adopting a long-term housed shelter animal, they really need a home to call their own.”
Rochelle says there have been some challenges along the way but they are things that we are working on.
Like Rugsie, Tessa had been waiting 120 days to be adopted, until one day when a different Tessa visited AWLQ.
A highlight of her day is collecting the children from school, she loves seeing all the other children and playing with the other dogs,” says Tessa.
“I wanted to take Tessa home because she has the same name as me so obviously it was meant to be! She had aslso been at the animal shelter for such a long time, so I had to take her home,” says Tessa.
The family have seen a transformation in her emotions, Tessa has gone from sleeping in a really tight ball at the very end of the bed to relaxing and spreading herself out.
“It is such a pleasure to have Tessa at home, she’s so loving and so sweet. She helps me with my anxiety, keeps me calm when I can feel myself starting to get anxious. She helps with the children’s bedtimes! Tessa runs and jumps onto their beds and they know that they have to be nice and quiet and calm for Tessa to sleep with them at night.
“The biggest issue we’ve had with her is her understanding that she is allowed to come upstairs and she’s allowed to come on to the beds. She was a bit shy at first not being sure where she was allowed to go and when she was allowed to be in the house, but now she’s really settled in and she’s got her little spots that she loves.”
“Tessa loves people, wherever I go, Tessa isn’t far behind. She will come and plop herself down near me and have a little bit of a pat then snooze away.
Tessa’s recommendations for anyone considering adopting from a shelter, just do it! You will never be loved as much as you are by dog that’s been in a shelter for a while hoping for a home and a family.
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“You will never be loved as much as you are by a dog that’s been in a shelter for a while hoping for a home and a family.”
Leishae and her family spied Bert on the AWLQ’s website and were drawn to him instantly. Bert had been in AWLQ’s care previously and was adopted but he was returned as he was a bit of a Houdini and liked to escape. But Bert wasn’t like that with the Kariuses and was settling in well when, after two weeks, he rolled off the bed one evening. “He was having a seizure on the floor and we thought what’s going on. Our oldest boy Reuban has epilepsy so we knew how to handle it,” says Leishae Bert had a cluster of five seizures that night and was becoming very disoriented and distressed. The next morning they took him to the vet at the shelter. Bert was diagnosed with epilepsy. “I was blown away actually. It never occurred to me that a dog could have epilepsy. What are the odds of that happening? So, this is our life. We have two epilepsy babies in the house now.” Reuban and Bert have formed a special bond. Both of them take their tablets morning and night and the family is vigilant in keeping an eye on the signs -for both of them. “I’ve done a lot of reading on epilepsy and now canine epilepsy as well,” Leishae says. “Bert is a gorgeous boy. He’s just got a beautiful nature and so gentle. He and Reuban have that bond. We couldn’t imagine life without him.”
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Take your dog to work day
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June 22nd is International Take Your Dog to Work DayÂŽ, a day when employers are asked to open their businesses to pet dogs to promote the benefits of pet ownership and encourage animal adoption.
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Pets provide a number of physical and mental health benefits for people. Pet dogs in an office can be a very positive experience in the working environment for both the workers and the dogs! 7 News Gold Coast, 1029 Hot Tomato and myGC.com.au invited some of our dogs into their workplace for the day.
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1. Amanda Abate - Presenter, 7 News Gold Coast with Tofino and Jasper - AWLQ puppies 2. Jasper - AWLQ puppy 3. Amanda Abate - Presenter, 7 News Gold Coast and Deon Savage - Chief of Staff, 7 News Gold Coast 4. Brooke Hanson - Breakfast Announcer, 1029 Hot Tomato; Jasper - AWLQ puppy 5. Carla Tooma - Presenter, myGC.com.au; Tofinao - AWLQ puppy 6. Brooke Hanson - Breakfast Announcer, 1029 Hot Tomato; Denise Bradley - Chief Executive Officer, AWLQ; Flan - Breakfast Announcer, 1029 Hot Tomato and Cristo - Breakfast Announcer, 1029 Hot Tomato.
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Giving back through Homeless Connect Animal Welfare League Queensland has proudly assisted the homeless and their pets for the past four years at the Gold Coast Homeless Connect and joined the Brisbane event for the first time this year. At the 2018 Gold Coast Homeless Connect, our veterinary team provided treatment and care for 33 animals. In addition we distributed 106 donated items, 37 desexing vouchers and 18 veterinary consultation vouchers. Veterinary services on the day are supplied by AWLQ’s Gold Coast Community Vet Clinic. The charter of AWLQ’s Community Vet Clinic is that no suffering animal is ever turned away regardless of their owner’s financial capability. The Brisbane Homeless Connect event provided AWLQ the opportunity to engage with 106 pet owners and give advice. We also distributed donated items for their companions including bedding and food in time for the cooler months.
When the need arises, AWLQ will assist the homeless to rehome their animals should their situation become too difficult. We are committed to animals, and their owners, when in need. Through Homeless Connect our professional vet and vet nurse team can examine each dog, or cat and offer advice.
“A homeless person’s companion animal can be the most important, reliable friend in their lives.”
This event is part of AWLQ’s commitment to the care and treatment of companion animals in South East Queensland. A homeless person’s companion animal can be the most important, reliable friend in their lives. AWLQ is committed to ensuring that these best friends are vaccinated, microchipped, wormed, treated for parasites, given food and bedding, with an offer of free desexing vouchers to their owners. Our core mission is to provide comfort and care to companion animals.
Twinkles with her new family, Pam & Rob Dent.
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Brisbane City Council supports desexing Brisbane City Council will be joining forces with Animal Welfare League Queensland (AWLQ) to offer subsidised desexing for Brisbane’s cats. Brisbane City Council have provided $52,000 in funding for the 2018/19 year, to subsidise cat desexing for residents in need through AWLQ’s NDN Cooperative Desexing Program. Residents will pay just $35 to desex a male cat and $55 for a female cat. To help people with many undesexed cats, additional female cats will only be $35. Residents in need can phone NDN on 5509 9044 to find out if they are eligible to receive a voucher for one of 30 participating vet clinics in Brisbane. NDN thanks the 30 clinics across Brisbane who are helping to provide this community service. Deputy Mayor Adrian Schrinner said that residents could help reduce the number of abandoned pets by taking advantage of Council-funded discounts on pet desexing. “Council supports responsible pet ownership to keep Brisbane a great place to live, work and relax, which is why we are supporting the Animal Welfare League’s Getting 2 Zero program,” Cr Schrinner said. “Brisbane is a pet-friendly city and home to 145,000 family cats, however part of being a responsible pet owner is ensuring these cats don’t have unwanted litters, to reduce the number of stray and abandoned animals.
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“The cost of desexing a cat can cost up to $290 and the Getting 2 Zero program is helping to subsidise this cost by up to 80 per cent for Brisbane pensioners and other low income owners, helping to reduce the number of cats being abandoned.” Lifestyle and Community Services Chairman Cr Peter Matic said cats were natural predators and could cause serious harm to native wildlife, in our clean, green and sustainable city. “Council received more than 700 complaints about feral cats last year, with more than 800 captured on Brisbane streets,” Cr Matic said. “Enquiries about animal management is one of the most common calls Council receives to its 24/7 contact centres and we are committed to encouraging responsible pet ownership by equipping residents with the support they need to ensure their pet does not impact on the safety or health of other people.” Brisbane City Council is the seventh council to offer a cooperative desexing program, AWLQ also works with Banana Shire Council, Camden Council, City of Gold Coast, Fraser Coast Council, Ipswich City Council and Lockyer Valley Regional Council. For more information about the Brisbane Cooperative Desexing Program, or to apply for a voucher, call AWLQ’s National Desexing Network on 07 5509 9044.
Create a lasting legacy with your will It’s a gift from the heart that will change lives and help AWLQ continue to give animals a second chance in life. We opened our doors in 1959 and since then our doors have never closed to homeless pets. With your help, they never will. Last year we rehomed over 7,000 animals, all of these were given a second chance thanks to the generosity of our supporters. We rely on the support of animal lovers like you to continue to be here for every animal who needs our help. By remembering AWLQ in your Will, your incredible gift, whatever size, will transform the lives of countless animals and give them the second chance they so desperately deserve – now and for many years to come. We aim to never turn away an animal in need of help. With your help, we never will. Leaving a gift in your Will to AWLQ ensures your love for pets lives on. For a confidential discussion call (07) 5509 9099 or email bequests@awlqld.com.au.
AWLQ volunteers Mardie and Richard (pictured) were so impressed with the level of animal care provided by AWLQ, they decided to leave a lasting legacy. “We know it will be put to a very good use. We think that it’s a gift for the future for the welfare of all animals in their care. “When it comes to bequests obviously it’s very much a personal decision. We took the view that we’d like to share whatever we leave behind with an organisation that we believe in and what it stands for,” says Richard. One of the things that has impressed them the most is the fact that 90% of the funding goes towards the animals, rather than administration. “A significant part in our decision was that AWLQ is an organisation we like, we respect, and we feel confident that when we eventually go, whatever we leave behind will go to good use,” said Mardie.
“What we leave behind we want to make a difference in the future of animals with a charity we trust.” Page 13 - Tawl Tails Spring Edition 2018
Paws at the Park
Paws at the Park is a grassroots outdoor dog market, created by two small business owners Jenna of Doggie Tea and Hugo’s Ice Creamery and Lia of oodle&co. From humble beginnings in April 2016, Paws at the Park has quickly grown from a small 20 stall market with 500 attendees to the biggest event of its kind in Australia. The 2018 event was the biggest yet which saw over 10,000 people and their pets come together at Mudgeeraba Showgrounds. Once again AWLQ was fortunate to be the Charity Partner and as a result raised over $5900 which will go directly to the animals in our care. Since 2016 Paws at the Park has raised over $16,500 for AWLQ, we thank Jenna, Lia and all of the Paws at the Park team for their continued support.
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THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE SUPPORTERS
BEAUDESERT - Ph: 07 5541 0187 Shop 1, 15 William St BURLEIGH - Ph: 07 5568 7677 Cnr Gold Coast Hwy & Elder St. COOMBABAH - Ph: 07 5529 6015 Shop 21, Coombabah Plaza Hansford St COOMBABAH - Ph: 07 5509 9016 Shelter Road, Coombabah
BECOME A
Foster CARER
CURRUMBIN - Ph: 07 5525 0362 2/56 Currumbin Creek Rd IPSWICH - Ph: 07 3282 9277 189 Brisbane St LABRADOR - Ph: 07 5529 2588 1/162 Turpin Rd
VISIT AWLQLD.COM.AU OR CALL 5509 9020
MIAMI - Ph: 07 5575 2194 Shop 2/10-14 Pacific Ave MIAMI - Ph: 07 5572 2882 Shop 5/10-14 Pacific Ave SOUTHPORT - Ph: 07 5591 2728 18B Young St WORONGARY - Ph: 07 5575 2194 Shop 41, Worongary Town Centre CAT & HOUND - Ph: 07 5503 1162 18C Young St Southport ADOPT-A-BOOK Ashmore Shopping Centre WAREHOUSE - Ph: 07 5529 1244 Unit C6-239 Brisbane Rd
To arrange the collection of donated items please call 5509 9056.
BECOME A
Dog Kennel or Cat Pen SPONSOR
VISIT AWLQLD.COM.AU OR CALL 5509 9057 Page 15 - Tawl Tails Spring Edition 2018