Tawl Tails

Autumn 2015 Magazine of the Animal Welfare Qld Inc. Est. 1959

awlqld.com.au

This is the face of ‘Parla’, just one of 7,164 animals AWLQ rehomed in 2014.

See her story inside ...

A Word from our CEO - A Year in Review issues that affect their quality of life but as resources allow we continue to provide more rehabilitation to those who in time could also enjoy a quality of life and live out the remainder of their life in a safe and loving home.

2015 is going to be a great year for rehoming. Our rehoming numbers continue to climb with 951 animals rehomed in December and 844 in January – record months which we hope to continue throughout the year.

2015 will also be our 6th year of maintaining zero euthanasing of healthy and rehomeable animals.

We are now taking abandoned animals from most of the Pounds in South East Qld. For these animals the AWLQ is their last and sometimes only opportunity to have a second chance at living.

We take them in and give them every chance to find a new loving family to call their own.

Our focus this year will also be on providing desexing programs in those communities most in need to reduce the high number of unwanted litters being born, many of which will find themselves abandoned in pounds and shelters.

As we enter our 56th year of operations I invite you to join our journey, so that every dog and cat born has a safe and loving home for the duration of its life.

Choose to adopt your next pet from one of our Rehoming Centres, volunteer, or donate to help cover the cost to care and rehome these precious lives. Whatever you choose will help us immensely and I thank you on their behalf.

Warm regards,

Sadly not all can be rehomed due to serious temperament or health

Our Cover Girl ‘Parla’ came to AWLQ in April 2014 as an unclaimed stray. The two year old Amstaff was a favourite due to her sweet nature and gentle disposition.

AWLQ vets treated her for some minor ailments before desexing.

‘Parla’ is just one of the thousands of homeless and abandoned animals that AWLQ opens its doors to every year to offer shelter, food, veterinary care and the opportunity for adoption into a lifelong and loving home.

She was adopted into her own loving home on May 15, 2014.

At AWLQ, Rehoming is our focus and that’s what makes us different.

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AWLQ: experts in companion animal rehoming

The Latest Around Town Uber Kitty!

What’s furry and can travel up to 100km an hour?

Kittens in an Uber Taxi, that’s what! AWLQ teamed up with UBER for a special Valentine’s Day promotion that saw kittens couriered to workplaces to spread some cheer on demand and raise awareness about shelter adoption.

Workplaces requested a visit from the AWLQ via a phone app and were then able to spend 15 minutes of cuddle time with these beautiful kittens. It was an extra special delivery for people on this annual day of love!

With so many kittens arriving at the AWLQ daily “Uber Kitty” was a great opportunity to bring the kittens to members of the public who are unable to visit the shelter through the week.

Thank you for a Wobbly KONG Christmas for our Cats and Dogs!

With your generous Christmas donations and thanks to KONG, AWLQ has expanded our enrichment programs for cats and dogs waiting for rehoming.

Soon there will be an extra 54 KONG Wobblers available to be shared by the Gold Coast, Beenleigh, Ipswich, Willawong and Warra (Bracken Ridge) Shelters.

7,164 Animals Adopted in 2014!

The word is getting out that when looking for a new pet, adoption should be the only option. In 2014 AWLQ rehomed 23.5% more animals in the calendar year than in 2013. A total of 7,164 companion animals!

AWLQ has lots of positive rehoming

campaigns and pop-up adoptions planned for SE Qld in 2015 that we know will help us rehome even more animals in 2015.

If you are looking for a new pet, please Choose to Adopt, and encourage those you know to do the same!

Recent Rehoming Figures

NOV

Dogs & puppies 368 Cats & kittens 250 Other animals 68

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DEC

Dogs & puppies 444 Cats & kittens 435 Other animals 72

JAN

Dogs & puppies 363 Cats & Kittens 391 Other animals 90

AWLQ: experts in companion animal rehoming

Happy Tails From Our Past Guests

Oscar (nee Royce)

We recently heard from Cassandra, who adopted “Royce” from the Gold Coast Rehoming Centre in December, 2014.

It was wonderful to hear that Oscar (his new mum changed his name - we think it’s pretty cute!) is the best thing that has ever happened to Cassandra.

He is a very loving little cat, and we are very happy he has found such a wonderful forever home.

Brea

About a month ago, young Brea the Irish Wolfhound was adopted from the Gold Coast Rehoming Centre. It was a very happy day for the AWLQ team, as Brea had sadly been bounced around from a few homes.

We were delighted to hear her new mum and dad are enjoying her company!

Her new mum said, “she is such an all round beautiful dog. She is doing great and we love her very much.”

Rufus

At our Ipswich Rehoming Centre, a little Chihuahua cross named Rufus waited patiently for his new family to arrive ... and they finally did!

Thank you to Rufus’ new dad who wrote in to tell us that this little guy is so loved in his new home. When Rufus’ dad’s mum moved in with him, it was a welcome change. But there was something missing .. until Rufus.

Since the day he arrived, he has been a little shadow, protector, companion, and play mate. He especially loves the tug rope his dad bought him!

Thank you for giving Rufus a loving home.

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AWLQ: experts in companion animal rehoming

Fostering Love: Belinda the Persian There are many ways to help the animals AWLQ cares for each year. One such way is to become a foster carer. Thousands of animals come through our doors every year, and in many cases, individuals need further care before being able to go up for adoption.

One of these special foster animals is Belinda, a little Persian cat who needed some longer term care back in September 2014. She came into our care at the Gold Coast Rehoming Centre, not in the best shape. After an initial assessment, she was given a full body shave (to treat a skin condition) and the search for the perfect foster home was on to ensure Belinda could get back to full health.

To help her get there, Belinda went to one of our fantastic foster carers, Felicity, from September 2014 until the end of January this year. Here’s what she had to say about this special little girl: “Belinda was our first foster assignment. It’s hard to describe the sight I met when I first picked her up from the Gold Coast Rehoming Centre last year. She was a tiny thing (only 2.1kg), with these big orange eyes, she didn’t have the freshest of fragrances, and she was shaved, but still

with her face hair. When I got her home and opened her cage to Simon, my fiancé, his face was priceless!

Out of this tiny body, I was met with a monster meow! Belinda is a princess, with a big personality. Some of her favourite things are food, pats and nose kisses.

With a long way to get back to optimum health, we started the journey to recovery.

I’m pleased to say Belinda has made a massive turn around! She’s up over 3.5kg now from 2.1kg and her fur is starting to look healthy.

Recently, we took her for a routine visit to the AWLQ vet. After many visits, work and nurturing, it was at this visit she was given a clean bill of health from the vets and was ready to be adopted!

This is good news, right? Not in my book! I cried all the way home, only to turn around immediately, with her favourite treat in hand and adopt her! I know this was the right decision, and I look forward to many years with our special girl, Belinda.”

Visit Belinda’s Facebook page: facebook.com/belindathefostercat

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AWLQ: experts in companion animal rehoming

Forget Simon Says; it’s not a game Sally Says DESEX YOUR PETS Sally Pearson OAM, Olympic Gold Medallist, Olympic record holder is an avid supporter of desexing companion animals and advocates strongly against the creation of unwanted litters. Sally firmly believes that when the heat is on people need to desex their pets!

If you have a pregnant cat or an accidental litter of kittens you can surrender your unwanted litter to the AWLQ for rehoming, free of charge (when) you desex your female cat.

The Gold Coast City Council, in conjunction with the AWLQ and the National Desexing Network can assist. Visit awlqld.com.au or ndn.org.au

And by this Sally means, act before your dog or cat comes on heat and do so before Queensland’s warmer months. Otherwise the AWLQ becomes littered with litters of unwanted kittens.

When Sally Pearson decides to take a different path from athletics’ somewhere in the future, it will be along the path of supporting and working with animals.

Despite record temperatures of more than 30 degrees over the summer, Sally Pearson is leading by example with her commitment to the importance of rehoming desexed companion animals.

Every Wednesday, AWLQ Ambassador, Sally has been visiting the Gold Coast Rehoming Centre and spending time in the Kitty-Cam pen. Sally uses her live streaming time on Kitty-Cam to offer enrichment to the cats and kittens seeking new homes.

Sally also uses her weekly visit to the Kitty-Cam pens to talk with the visiting public about the importance of the AWLQ early age desexing program and the work of the National Desexing Network: “In addition to the AWLQ’s early age desexing program for cats and dog seeking their forever home, I support their ‘Last Litter Fund’ program and the work of the National Desexing Network. Both programs support people financially with desexing their pets,” she said.

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AWLQ: experts in companion animal rehoming

Special visitor at Beenleigh At the Beenleigh Rehoming Centre, we received a very special guest recently. This little puppy was given to someone as a gift, but when they found out she was deaf, they surrendered the little one to AWLQ. She was only five weeks old when we got her, so poor little Jingles would have only been four weeks old when she left her mum and litter mates. Puppies who leave their mum and litter too early have an “incomplete canine association”, meaning Jingles missed out on learning important skills, such as chewing rather than biting!

From the minute this little girl was surrendered, she cried and she continued to cry for three days, until she lost her voice.

She was so scared.

Three weeks on, and Jingles has come a long way. We have been giving this girl lots of love and specialised training. At eight weeks’ old, she is conditioned to “thumbs up”. She always “checks in” - an important skill for a deaf pup. Always sits when asked, she will stay, comes when signalled, and drops on cue. Her social skills are amazing with both children and other animals.

She is now toilet trained and attends training classes here at the Beenleigh Rehoming Centre as well as puppy classes at

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VIP Dog Club twice weekly. We hope with a few more weeks’ work, love and attention, Jingles will be ready to find the special home she so deserves.

AWLQ: experts in companion animal rehoming

The Cat & Hound: A one-stop collector’s shop Honouring the many kind and generous donations of goods the AWLQ receives, a speciality one-stop antique collectors shop, ‘The Cat & Hound’, has been launched by the AWLQ in Southport.

The Cat & Hound was conceived as a concept store by AWLQ Retail Managers because the standard of collectible antiques kept rising from estates bequeathed to the Rehoming Centres.

Beautiful collections of antique furniture, Royal Albert and Royal Doulton china, crystal glass ware and serving bowls, even an 1880’s hand blown painted glass vase will be on display.

The Cat & Hound is not a traditional AWLQ Op-Shop, although it is located right next door to the existing Southport furniture and Op-shop.

and a beautiful Chaise lounge”, said Hellen.

Part of the initial display collection will feature pieces such as a round pedestal table with six balloon back chairs that are finished in green velvet, and a collection of oil paintings.

Pieces from the mid-century are expected to make their way into the floor displays progressively.

The Cat & Hound – A cornucopia of early to mid-20th century collectibles.

Visit us down the lane at: 18C Young Street Southport Open Monday to Friday 9.00am to 3.00pm Ph: 5503 1162

It will be managed by former part-time antiques collector and dealer, Hellen Williams, who will be on hand daily between 9.00am and 3.00pm to help with questions and offer collecting advice.

Commenting on the opening Hellen said “This is a very exciting opportunity for collectors and those who appreciate furniture, fine bone china, mirrors and crystal from the early 20th century.

“1940’s China will also feature strongly, as will bevel-edged mirrors, lamps, foot stools

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AWLQ: experts in companion animal rehoming

Thanking our Valued Community Supporters White Sunglasses

Special thanks goes out to Jacquie Norris and our amazing friends at the ‘White Sunglasses Club’.

This dedicated group has raised thousands of dollars with their fundraising lunches on behalf of the AWLQ. Each month, they have a different theme; at a different restaurant, and as you can see… have a blast!

Entertainment Books Thank you to everyone in the community who purchased an Entertainment Book in 2014.

You helped us raise $4,274 for our Rehoming Centres! We will sell the books again in the coming months so be sure to keep an eye out on our website to renew your book. www.awlqld.com.au

Thank you Andrew Barton Laundry Equipment!

Did you know that the AWLQ have more than a dozen washing machines to keep up with the demand to provide our animals with clean bedding. These machines run for 10 hours solid, so when one breaks down we really notice. Thankfully when our Ipswich Vet Clinic machine decided to pack it in, Andrew Barton Laundry Equipment was quick to donate a brand new Industrial Speed Queen Machine!

If you’re looking for a new washing machine check out: www.andrewbarton.com.au

Purina donation funds forklift for AWLQ AWLQ send a very big ‘Thank You’ to Purina for their generous funding which allowed the purchase of a much needed commercial forklift for use at AWLQ! This was above and beyond their routine donations of food for our animals. AWLQ sincerely appreciate your ongoing support Purina!

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AWLQ: experts in companion animal rehoming

Wyndham’s “Wishes by Wyndham” Program Benefits AWLQ In early 2014, AWLQ was selected by popular vote of staff at Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific as the 2014 ‘Signature’ charity of the prestigious ‘Wishes by Wyndham’ philanthropic program.

Wyndham, led by President and CEO Barry Robinson, is one of the Gold Coast’s largest companies with a great reputation built on excellence and a sincere commitment to supporting deserving charities.

As the grateful recipient of $38,292 in total funding that was raised and donated in 2014, AWLQ would like to sincerely thank

all of the Wyndham staff and especially those members of the ‘Wishes by Wyndham’ team who worked so hard to achieve this great result across the organisation.

Wyndham’s generous efforts in supporting AWLQ have made a significant difference in the lives of animals we cared for in 2014.

Thank you, and we look forward to keeping our Wyndham friends, including our Ambassador Barry Robinson, informed and updated on all the latest at AWLQ in 2015!

Congratulations Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific on a job well done!

Wyndham President and MD Barry Robinson & AWLQ’s David Hoskot

Workplace Giving: A great way to help support AWLQ David Hoskot joined Tim Sims (Managing Director at Pacific Equity Partners) and Meahan Callaghan (HR Director at SEEK) on the panel at an Australian Charities Fund sponsored event in Brisbane.

The panel focuses on how any business and their staff can support the vital work of community charities like AWLQ via easy to set up and highly effective ‘Workplace Giving’ programs.

For more information on Workplace Giving please email dhoskot@awlqld.com.au or call David on (07) 5509 9058.

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Tim Sims, Meahan Callaghan & David Hoskot

AWLQ: experts in companion animal rehoming

Von Bibra drives a great partnership AWLQ enjoyed a tremendous year of support in year two of our community partnership with Von Bibra Auto Village.

Von Bibra Auto Village! www.vonbibra.com.au

Led by General Manager (and AWLQ Ambassador), Wade von Bibra, and his stellar team of dedicated staff, Von Bibra has showed an incredible level of financial support for AWLQ through their total

donations of $166,300!

We truly appreciate their generosity in helping us to care for and ultimately rehome 7,164 animals in 2014. Buy your next car at Von Bibra in 2015 and they will donate $20 to AWLQ. Support a great Gold Coast business who supports your AWLQ,

AWLQ Steps in to Save Toowoomba Pound Animals At AWLQ we work closely with all councils, pounds and rescue groups to save the lives of companion animals facing uncertain futures.

On Tuesday 25 November, AWLQ received an emergency call from the Toowoomba City Council pound seeking our assistance.

They had an unusually large number of unclaimed animals whose impound times were nearly up. They were facing euthanasia.

As the sun rose on Wednesday morning, barely 12 hours after we received the call for help, a convoy of AWLQ vans was on the road from the Gold Coast, making a true ‘mercy dash’ to Toowoomba to save these

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animals and give them the opportunity to be rehomed.

With the help of grateful pound staff, our AWLQ team loaded up 13 dogs and puppies and 11 cats and kittens for the drive back to AWLQ Gold Coast Rehoming Centre, where we desexed and vaccinated all of these precious souls before they went up for adoption.

Without AWLQ, none of the animals shown in the photo below would be alive today.

Our thanks to the Toowoomba City Council pound for reaching out to AWLQ and saving 24 lives.

AWLQ: experts in companion animal rehoming

Sprinters Team Up for Spud-tacular Partnership Former Australian Butterfly swimmer, Burl Reid has teamed up with Greyhound ‘Spud’ in a perfect rehoming match for the pair of retired sprinters.

As a swimming coach and lifeguard at the Mt Gravatt East Pool in Brisbane, Burl was looking for a companion dog to fit his lifestyle. After researching dog breeds, traits and lifestyle requirements Burl found the perfect dog for him; a Greyhound. They are relaxed, affectionate, ideal for unit living and are low maintenance.

before, but all the research I did has paid off.

Spud is my perfect match.”

“Spud is very relaxed and sociable. He has made many new dog friends when out on his daily walks and he likes cats”, said Burl.

AWLQ encourages people to consider Greyhounds as Companion Animals for their tolerant, friendly nature and adaptability to new surroundings.

Burl found 3.5 year old ‘Spud’ at the AWLQ’s Warra Shelter in Bracken Ridge. After they met, Burl was committed to welcoming Spud to his unit. With two daily walks, couch surfing and back yard sprints, Spud is living the life. He even has a customised feeding platform, a 30cm high tool box which ensures he eats at a height suitable for his long neck to prevent bloat!

Burl said, “I have never had a Greyhound

If One Machine Breaks Down They All Do! The AWLQ has had multiple breakdowns.

In quick succession, all lawn mowers and whipper snippers went kaput. We asked for your advice on Facebook, and surprise!

Summer White via Instragram donated her mower and John Pamment, Service Manager at Beaudesert Motorcycle provided a re-conditioned mower with new blades.

But it was the gesture made by Aaron Cook (pictured right) that was humbling. Aaron works at Sizzler, Loganholme, runs his own local mowing service and is a passionate companion animal carer.

Aaron spoke with suppliers, personally dug deep and then donated a brand new 4 stroke Masport, two brand new whipper snippers, extra line, oils, accessories and manuals.

Thank you to Summer, John and Aaron for following the AWLQ on social media and being such generous community supporters.

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AWLQ: experts in companion animal rehoming

Vet Corner Colin the Toe Boy

Poor little Colin was assessed by the AWLQ team and Vets at Willawong Centre, who then transferred him down to the Gold Coast Rehoming Shelter for additional care.

The AWLQ Gold Coast Shelter Vet team adopted a wait and review stance, and they prescribed a dose of some good Foster Care with much TLC.

They’re tough those Bracken Ridge boys.

Especially when you are only a few weeks old and find yourself abandoned and living in a Rehoming Centre. Just when little Colin the kitten was finally feeling safe and happily playing in his crate, he caught his left paw while playing and broke his toe ... ouch!

Building on his already boisterous play techniques, Colin revelled in his play-time while in Foster Care.

Commenting on this bold playboy Colin’s Foster Carer said “The damaged toe does not hinder him in any way at all; he still runs, plays and pounces. He is a happy chappie.

Samson’s Ordeal

Samson, the three year old domestic long haired cat, arrived at AWLQ with cat flu.

While being treated for his illness, his foster carer realised he had stopped eating and his right eye looked watery and painful. In some instances with cat flu, cats can develop eye ulcers which can be quite painful and if not treated can result in losing the eye.

The AWLQ Centre Vets were quick to jump into action and performed a tarsoraphy; a procedure that closes the eyelid, encouraging the eye to heal.

After some time Samson had made a big improvement. His appetite had returned and our veterinarian checked his eye to see how it was healing. As with most ulcers there was some scar tissue, but his eye had healed

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nicely. Thanks to our quick thinking vets and a loving foster carer, Samson is going to be able to keep his beautiful eye!

Samson will continue to heal for a while longer before being placed up for adoption, and we are sure this cuddly boy will find a forever home very soon.

AWLQ: experts in companion animal rehoming

Thanks to our Corporate Supporters

Redspot Car Hire in New Partnership with AWLQ AWLQ is delighted to announce our new partnership with Redspot Sixt car hire!

Redspot is a 100% Australian owned company that currently offer hire car services at 17 airports across Australia.

achieve “Brighter Futures� for thousands of homeless and abandoned animals. Please visit this link:

www.redspot.com.au/Animal-Welfare-League-Qld.html

Every time you hire your rental car with Redspot, using the special link (to the right), Redspot will make a donation to AWLQ! Please share this link with all your family, friends and co-workers and all support an Australian owned company who supports a great Australian animal charity, Animal Welfare League of Queensland!

Every time you choose to hire a car from this proudly Australian owned company, AWLQ will receive a donation from Redspot, to help support the work we do to

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AWLQ: experts in companion animal rehoming

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AWLQ: experts in companion animal rehoming

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