2016 AWLQ Spring Tawl Tails

Tails

Spring 2016

tawl

Magazine of Animal Welfare League Qld Est. 1959

Our unbreakable bond with animals...

TICK WARNING | AWLQ GOES GREY | SENIOR BIRTHDAY BASH

A word from our CEO how to navigate the family home, its stairs, glass doors and pools; all new turf to these gentle creatures. Going Grey, and everything Greyhound, can be found on page three.

Denise Hello and welcome to our 2016 Spring edition of Tawl Tails and we have lots of news to share as we continue our commitment to companion animals and the unbreakable bond between people and their pets.

AWLQ’s Golden Hearts Senior Pet Support Program turned one in August! We celebrated with a garden party, inviting our first 200 Golden Hearts’ members to tour our Coombabah Rehoming Centre and share their adoption experiences over a cuppa. We look forward to many more birthdays and seniors signing up to enjoy the company of senior pets in this life-changing program. The full story, and a message from our Ambassador Ita Buttrose on - pages ten and 11.

July marked a milestone in the ethical treatment of animals with NSW Premier Mike Baird banning greyhound racing from July 2017.

AWLQ supports this ban and its extension into Queensland. We are also deeply committed to greyhound care and treatment, launching our Going Grey – AWLQ greyhound foster program in August.

We’re incredibly encouraged by community support, with dozens of would-be foster carers immediately signing up to help greyhounds learn

Our Teams at our five rehoming centres continue to do an outstanding job with 2,224 animals adopted this quarter. That figure includes 583 cats and 567 dogs.

Thank you to all of you who choose to adopt and give these loving animals a second chance at life.

Our National Desexing Month (NDM) was a huge success this year.

More than 200 vets, nationwide, joined our Gold Coast and Ipswich community vet clinics to desex dogs, and particularly cats, before the breeding season –which is just about to start again! We estimate that more than 10,000 animals have been desexed as a result of this, our twelfth annual NDM. Thank you to all the vets, owners and the Bay Island Girls Day Out group who joined the campaign.

Our Team continues to be incredibly busy out in the community spreading the AWLQ – adopt don’t shop message at Paws in the Park, Homeless Connect, schools, businesses and shopping centres.

We also had a reunion of two of the founders of what’s now AWLQ. I’m proud to say that my Dad is one of these amazing people.

Thanks also to the many supporters who shop at our 12 Op Shops or donated to our end of financial year drive. If you haven’t it’s never too late to donate! We hope you enjoy Tawl Tails Spring 2016 as much as we enjoy bringing it to you.

Happy reading!

ANIMAL WELFARE LEAGUE QLD

Visit awlqld.com.au AWLQ HEAD OFFICE Shelter Road, Coombabah Qld 4216 PO Box 3253 Helensvale T.C. Qld 4212 General Enquiries Ph: 07 5509 9000 | info@awlqld.com.au Volunteering 07 5509 9019 | volunteering@awlqld.com.au Media, Public Relations & Campaigns 07 5509 9030 | communications@awlqld.com.au Business Development Manager 07 5509 9057 | bdm@awlqld.com.au Community Partnerships 07 5509 9058 | partnerships@awlqld.com.au Bequests & Golden Hearts Program goldenhearts@awlqld.com.au Community & School Education 07 5509 9034 | education@awlqld.com.au

AWLQ REHOMING CENTRES Beenleigh Rossmans Road, Stapylton Qld 4207 07 3807 3782 | beenleighrehoming@awlqld.com.au Gold Coast Shelter Road, Coombabah Qld 4216 07 5509 9000 | goldcoastrehoming@awlqld.com.au Warra 523 Telegraph Road, Bracken Ridge Qld 4018 07 3631 6800 | warrashelter@awlqld.com.au Willawong 501 Gooderham, Willawong Qld 4110 07 3714 2800 | willawongshelter@awlqld.com.au

AWLQ COMMUNITY VET CLINICS Gold Coast Vet Clinic Shelter Road, Coombabah Qld 4216 07 5594 0111 | goldcoastvetclinic@awlq.com.au Ipswich Vet Clinic 42 Tiger Street, West Ipswich Qld 4305 07 3812 7533 | ipswichvetclinic@awlqld.com.au

AWLQ is a founding member of Animal Welfare League Australia Member of Australian Charities Foundation

Chief Executive Officer Animal Welfare League Qld

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Hon. Michael Kirby Offical Patron Animal Welfare League Qld

REY G G N I GO

what’s happening

AWLQ as greyhound racing runs its course...

On July 12 the fortunes of the racing greyhound were forever changed when Premier Mike Baird announced the end of greyhound racing in New South Wales; to be phased out in July 2017.

That news was cheered around the country, no more than here at AWLQ where people literally cried with joy. We celebrated with a photo of our team and three of the lucky greyhounds in our care at the time.

It is a photo that we share here and will cherish forever.

Animal Welfare League Queensland wrote its first official letter back in 2003 calling for a ban to the cruel sport that sees just one out of four animals racing live beyond their fourth birthday.

“It’s a huge step in the fight for the rights of these placid, beautiful dogs,” Animal Welfare League Qld CEO Denise Bradley said.

Many of the former racing dogs we rehome have never had any experience with stairs, glass doors, roads, swimming pools or ever stepped inside a home.

This program is designed to acclimatise them to household living with specifically trained foster carers.

The public response to the program, and the call for people to adopt greyhounds, has been incredibly encouraging. If you’re interested in fostering a greyhound, any other dogs or our cats and kittens head to awlqld.com.au/awlq-animals/petfostering.

We would like to now see Queensland greyhounds afforded the same protection.

Animal Welfare League Queensland is calling on the Queensland State Government to follow this incredible animal welfare example set by the NSW Premier.

In the meantime AWLQ continues to lead by example launching its own program Going Grey – AWLQ and is calling on foster carers to participate. Each foster carer will be fully trained and receive face-to-face and phone support, night or day.

“We have had a long association with greyhounds, their care and rehoming and we want to ensure that they have the best start in their new lives,” AWLQ President Sylvana Wenderhold said.

AWLQ Tawl Tails Spring Edition 2016 - Page 3

Homeless connect

d n o b le b a k a re b n u An The connection between people and their pets can be at its deepest during adversity, and so the bond between dogs and their homeless owners is built on faith and hardship.

Our AWLQ Community Vet Team again saw this as we attended the Ninth Annual Gold Coast Homeless Connect event.

“There were already people waiting for us when we got here today – and a lot of people from last year,” AWLQ Vet Director Dr Andres Townsend said.

It’s incredible to see how much that they care for their pets and how well they are looked after.

A lot of the time these people struggle to make ends meet.

Sometimes they will put their pets before themselves. Twenty-one dogs were examined. The oldest dog was 20-year old Chihuahua Faith, the youngest a Staffy puppy called Rocho. All owners were offered vaccinations, microchipping, flea and parasite treatments and a voucher to have their dog desexed at one of

Pet Friendly

Accommodation Sometimes pet owners can feel like their options are limited when it comes to their living arrangements.

AWLQ has done the research and is here to help when it comes to the legalities of pet accommodation.

Accommodation issues were the reasons given for 26 per cent of animals surrendered to AWLQ in 2014/2015.Fourteen per cent of people who surrendered their pets indicated that it was difficult to find pet-friendly accommodation, or issues with landlords, or body corporate.

A further 12 per cent found it difficult to keep their pets because they were

our Community Vet Clinics for free.

Beds, blankets, collars, leads and our sponsor, Purina’s food was also donated. Boehringer Ingelheim and Bayer provided the vaccinations and flea treatment for the day. For Kath the presence of Animal Welfare League Queensland’s Vet team offered peace of mind.

“It’s really great to be able to see the vet without having to worry about a big bill,” Kath said. “Broche (St Bernard) is my companion dog...

She makes me feel safe. She lets me know if someone is around. I just have her with me all the time. She is so, so important to me.”

Homeless Connect is another of the many programs AWLQ offers to the community to ensure they, and their companion animals, have the best possible life together. For more information head to awlqld.com.au

Did you know that in Queensland it has been determined to be unreasonable for a body corporate to have a no pets rule? It can stipulate that it requires responsible pet ownership, but it is unable to have, or introduce, a blanket ban on pets.

moving in with relatives, or moving interstate or overseas.

If you are a responsible pet owner you can seek help from the Commissioner for Body Corporate and Community Management on 1800 060 119.

The situation can be a bit trickier when you rent, as a landlord does have the right to say ‘no pets’. AWLQ is currently working on developing a fairer process. In the meantime, if there is a dispute with a landlord, the Residential Tenancy Authority (RTA), a Queensland Government Body is there to help: rta.qld.gov.au/disputes or phone 1300 366 311.

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Tenants Queensland is a nonGovernment body which also has videos explaining the process: tenantsqld.org.au/info-for-tenants/ going-to-the-tribunal-to-solve-atenancy-dispute/ So, before you consider surrendering your pet, go to Owner Help on our AWLQ website; awlqld.com. au/pet-owner-support/petaccommodation-help to find out how to look for pet friendly accommodation, resolve disputes with body corporate and landlords and help with a range of issues that lead to people surrendering pets.

Ipswich

AWLQ remains strongly committed to Ipswich As we go to print this edition we have to share the sad news that our contract with Ipswich City Council to run its pound and rehoming centre has not been renewed.

“Animal Welfare League Queensland is naturally disappointed that after so many years of collaboration that the Ipswich City Council contract has not been renewed and the implications this will have for our dedicated Ipswich Rehoming staff”.

CEO Denise Bradley said.

“However, AWLQ remains committed to the welfare of animals, and their owners in Ipswich through its Community Vet Clinic and Op Shop. The decision does not affect AWLQ’s four other rehoming centres and its 12 op shops.

“We are indebted to our incredible staff, volunteers, foster carers and supporters who have been, and are, so supportive, particularly in Ipswich at this time, but across all of our five South East Queensland rehoming centres.”

Animal Welfare League Queensland volunteers have had a presence in the city since 2002.

AWLQ’s Ipswich Community Vet Clinic celebrated ten years of service to the community in August, and

our Op Shop continues to help fund the care of surrendered and abandoned animals, while offering less expensive retail options for Ipswich.

The contract has been awarded to RSPCA and our final day at the rehoming centre after five years was September 29.

“In that time we have established a zero euthanasia policy on healthy and sociable animals and have rehomed more than 10,648 surrendered and abandoned cats and dogs,” Ms Bradley said.

“We are very proud of this record and are committed to continuing to service the needs of Ipswich animal owners through our Community Vet Clinic in Tiger Street which is this month celebrating its tenth anniversary.

“I would like the community to join with us in commending the work of our team and would like to thank Ipswich City Council for the opportunity to do such vital work in the community.”

ANIMAL WELFARE LEAGUE QLD

COMMUNITY

VET CLINICS Gold Coast Ipswich

/awlqldopshops

BOOK ONLINE Shelter Rd, Coombabah 42 Tiger St. West Ipswich awlqld.com.au All locations have EFTPOS facilities. Proceeds made go back into our rehoming centres.

07 5594 0111

07 3812 7533

AWLQ Tawl Tails Spring Edition 2016 - Page 5

NATIONAL DESEXING MONTH

T to A shout ou

Girls’ Day Out!

A big thank you goes out to the Girls’ Day Out team who organised a highly successful version of National Desexing Network’s month for the Redland Bay Islands.

“We saw the success of Animal Welfare League Queensland’s National Desexing Month campaign and wanted to replicate it here with the Desex your Pet month in June,” Girls’ Day Out Secretary Shirley Burnside said.

Sheryl Kounakoff, Shirley Burnside and Mary McCoy are island legends for their organisational skills and more than 150 animals were desexed as a result of their efforts!

Thank you. They also fundraise exclusively for Animal Welfare League Queensland.

“In just six years the Girls’ Day Out has raised $27,000 for AWLQ and we are delighted in turn to give back to the community which has supported us so much and for so long,” CEO Denise Bradley said.

There are many benefits to desexing your pet! less likely to stray spray in and around your house be injured fighting over territory more relaxed & affectionate live longer & happier lives

Who wouldn’t want that for their four legged best friend!

For more information head to ndn.org.au

National Desexing Month Making A Big Difference To Small Lives

This year’s National Desexing Network (NDN) drive has been hailed a success with more than 10,000 cats and dogs across Australia desexed during the month of July.

The theme this year was ‘Don’t like Surprises? Desex your pet’ and it proved popular.

National Desexing Month (NDM) is the brainchild of Animal Welfare League Queensland. Now in its twelfth year, it asks veterinarians around the country to sign up on the NDN website and offer discounted cat and dog desexing options within their communities, during July.

“We were incredibly happy with the vet response with more than 200 signing up nationally,’ National

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Desexing Network Director Sylvana Wenderhold said.

“Many of the vet clinics, our own two included, have had such an overwhelming response they had to extend the bookings through into August.

“This response will help change so many animals’ lives who are at a breeding age, and lessen the overwhelming numbers of unwanted kittens, puppies, dogs and cats that flood shelters and pounds across Australia.

vets

Tick Season

’s ont D & s ’ o D

The warmer weather is a great chance to explore the great outdoors with your four legged best friend. It’s also a time when potentially deadly paralysis ticks are at the most prevalent.

“It changes every year, but we saw our first tick cases in June and July this year,” AWLQ Vet Director Dr Andres Townsend said.

“And we’re heading into the main tick season now.”

“It’s really important that dog and cat owners are prepared.”

Also known as the Scrub Tick, Bush Tick and Dog Tick, it’s official name is Ixodes holocyclus. It’s found within a 20 kilometre band the length of the east coast of Australia and the neurotoxins it injects into your cat or dog can be deadly.

Doctor Townsend says it’s vital that every time that your best friend is outdoors that you do a manual check of their coats and bodies, starting with the head.

“The head, neck, shoulder region are especially important, but ticks can be found anywhere on the body, including between their toes and even in their anus,” he said.

“If you believe that your dog or cat has, or may have had a tick, you need to take them to the vet immediately.“ It’s always better to be on the safe side with tick paralysis as your animal can rapidly deteriorate and even die without the proper medical treatment.”

SYMPTOMS change in voice, the meow or bark gagging and/or retching wobbly and unstable in the hind legs progressing to breathing difficulties eventual paralysis possible death

Collins Food Group and Workplace Giving

OUGHT FOOD FOR TH

Animal Welfare League Queensland continues to reap the rewards from the generosity of Collins Foods Limited (CFL) through its Workplace Giving and Customer Coin Collection Program.

Management and staff have selected AWLQ as a beneficiary in both their Workplace Giving Program and their in-store Customer Coin Collection Program, where customers can donate their loose change to selected charities.

Combined, these two simple, but effective programs have contributed more than $110,000 in the 2015/16 financial year.

AWLQ wishes to acknowledge the continued support headed by CEO Graham Maxwell, CFO Nigel Williams and make specific mention of our Queensland administrators Susie Gilroy and Stacey Trott, who continue to support our charity work in other areas, including donation drives for much needed medical equipment and supplies.

For more Information on how you can support AWLQ through Workplace Giving please contact Neil Rangeley on 07 5509 9057 or by email bdm@awlqld.com.au

AWLQ Tawl Tails Spring Edition 2016 - Page 7

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O G R A M & L I E N Reunited at Last

Animal Welfare League Qld Founding Members from 1959

Two inspirational people, pivotal to the creation of Animal Welfare League Queensland as we know it today, were reunited in July.

Margo Scott, now 97 and Neil Andersen 94, the latter, who went on to become AWLQ Founding President, spent a couple of hours catching up over a cuppa and a scone at AWLQ’s Coombabah Rehoming Centre. They literally hadn’t seen each other for decades.

“It would be 60 years,” Ms Scott said.

They played key roles in ending the then practice of taking stray and unclaimed dogs and shooting them at the local tip.

“I don’t think that the public was aware...we started this and people became interested in saving dogs,”

Ms Scott said.

For Ms Scott, it was the first time that she had seen the Coombabah facilities.

“It’s wonderful. This would be one of the best setups in Australia.”

The pair has come a long way from the days when they sold toffee apples and ran ‘chook’ raffles to raise money to establish the first shelter on Pine Ridge Road for Animal Lovers League of the Gold Coast.

Mr Andersen said “Gold Coast City Council was also well ahead of its time and worked with AWLQ to create a relationship that has, to date, rehomed more than 115,000 companion animals.

“If the council hadn’t been behind us we would never have got to where we are.”

Since those days AWLQ has expanded to five centres across South East Queensland.

Animal Welfare League Queensland CEO, Denise Bradley, who is also the daughter of Mr Andersen, grew up watching both her parents, and their friends, fight for the rights of companion animals.

In so doing AWLQ has changed the way that the community looks at shelter animals and has been a go-to for dogs and cats with Gold Coast residents for more than half a century.

“Generations of Gold Coast families have grown up with an Animal Welfare League Queensland dog or cat in their life,” AWLQ CEO Denise Bradley said.

AWLQ Tawl Tails Spring Edition 2016 - Page 9

Golden hearts

Seniors gather

to celebrate

Golden Hearts’ 1st Miles tone!

Animal Welfare League Queensland’s definitive Golden Hearts’ Senior Pet Support program has celebrated its first birthday with more than 60 founding program members attending a morning tea party.

“It was incredibly heart-warming to see the smiling, happy faces, to hear their own stories and even meet the dogs they adopted through us,” AWLQ President Sylvana Wenderhold said.

“Golden Hearts delivers peace of mind for people who may be concerned about the cost of owning a companion animal, or what could happen to them if they get sick, or worse.” Ms Wenderhold said.

“This is a life changing experience for not just the new owners, but the dogs or cats they adopted.

“We will ensure that their companion animal is cared for.

“We look forward to many more years of this program and wanted to celebrate the first milestone with the original members.”

The Golden Hearts Seniors’ Pet Support program is designed for people aged 65 or older who would like to have the companionship of a cat or dog. In the first year nearly 250 members signed up.

Free to join, Golden Hearts provides support with adoption, vet bills, short-term emergency pet accommodation if the owner becomes ill, or the rehoming of that best friend should the owner need to go into care, or sadly passes away.

For John Alexander, who required emergency treatment in June, Golden Hearts’ Short Term Emergency Pet care service was invaluable.

“I could relax in hospital knowing that my dog Amy was being cared for and was safe,” he said.

John shared the day’s celebrations with this little dog Amy. He wasn’t alone with half a dozen other guests bringing their four legged best friends for the morning.

“It benefits the senior but also helps provide loving homes for the 9,600 surrendered and abandoned animals Animal Welfare League Queensland rehomed last year alone.”

If you would like more information on the Golden Hearts Senior Pet Support program head to the website – awlqld.com.au.

When Heaven Drops a Gift in Your Lap...

Violet*, who lives alone, suffered a stroke on Christmas Day the previous year and even though her health had improved, she was feeling rather lonely and a little depressed without the companionship of a dog.

Violet had owned Chihuahuas her whole life and was desperate to have another little companion after her dog recently passed away. Molly*, a darling 12 year old Chihuahua, with a few health issues of her own, was to be that companion.

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Violet came into our rehoming centre to sign up to the Golden Hearts Seniors’ Pet Support Program, not expecting to find the right dog for many months.

When she saw Molly, who literally walked up to her, it was love at first sight, for both of them.

Under AWLQ’s Golden Hearts program, we gave Molly as a gift to her. Violet had tears in her eyes and couldn’t believe the perfect timing. It was literally like a gift from Heaven. * Name has been changed

Left: Neil Andersen OAM (AWLQ Founding Member) Right: Sylvana Wenderhold (AWLQ Board President)

message from ambassador

ita buttrose Dear Animal Welfare League Queensland and Golden Hearts’ members,

Congratulations on celebrating the first birthday of such a wonderful and worthy program, uniting seniors with companion animals, providing a support network that gives older pet owners peace of mind.

Unfortunately I can’t be with you today celebrating this special and important milestone for seniors’ health and wellbeing. I’m with you in spirit though, and remain committed to promoting the Golden Hearts program as its Ambassador.

Golden Hearts gives so much. It takes the stress out of owning a pet, enables people to have the incredible joy pet ownership brings in the latter years of their lives, and helps keep seniors active, healthy and connected with their community.

It also enables older dogs and cats to enjoy their golden years with an owner of a similar age – together.

Thank you AWLQ for your commitment to senior care and companion animals. Happy first birthday to the Golden Hearts program, and to the 240 inaugural members, thank you for becoming involved and making a difference, not just to your own life, but to the lives of companion animals.

Ita Buttrose Ambassador Golden Hearts Program Animal Welfare League Qld

seniors’ week

Seniors’ week!

Animal Welfare League Queensland celebrated the entire Seniors’ Week with tours of its Gold Coast Rehoming Centre at Coombabah.

All Sm iles

Seniors had the chance to get to know the dogs and cats, puppies and kittens with lots of love delivered, from both sides!

“It was a fabulous five days of celebrations,” AWLQ’s Golden Hearts Manager Jacquie Kennedy said.

“Animals bring such joy to peoples’ lives and the seniors were able to meet, pat and cuddle lots of cats and dogs who would all make great companions.

“Animal Welfare League Queensland believes that animal companionship is very important, whatever your age.”

Week ’ s r o i Sen Cheeee

ese

Fun

& Ga mes

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rehoming

External Rehoming

#AdoptD ontShop

We understand that it’s not always possible to get to one of our rehoming centres, so we are taking the cats, dogs, puppies and kittens to you – with great success!

Animal Welfare League Queensland is partnering with nine like-minded pet supply stores, which also firmly believe in the ethos adopt don’t shop. Our partnering stores, and their staff, are extremely supportive of our rehoming programs and you can see from our adoption results that it works!

Having animals available for adoption at external locations is particularly important to not only educate the community on the importance in choosing to adopt, but also capture the hearts of people who weren’t initially inclined to visit a shelter.

We would like to thank all of our partnering businesses and their staff for being advocates for shelter animals and assisting customers through the adoption process.

Please support those who support us with your buying power. Their commitment to AWLQ, and animal welfare in general, is impressive.

Animals Adopted from External Pet Shops May 23

June 30

July 42

We are always excited to hear from businesses and companies who would love to get involved with our external rehoming programs. Our External Rehoming Coordinator can be contacted at externalrehoming@ awlqld.com.au or directly on 07 5509 9014

Gold Coast:

Brisbane:

Burleigh Pet & Stockfeed Supplies 9 Kortum Drive, Burleigh

Pets Unleashed - Morningside 630 Wynnum Road, Morningside

Pet Supplies Direct, Harbourtown Harbourtown Shopping Centre

Shop 4 Pets - Annerley 683 Ipswich Road, Annerley

Pet Supplies Direct, Oxenford Shop 2 Cottonwood Plaza, Oxenford

PETstock - Keperra 1026 Samford Road, Keperra

PETstock - Ashmore 6/345 Southport/Nerang Road

PETstock - North Lakes 64 North Lakes Drive, North Lakes

Petbarn - Burleigh 2/50 Kortum Drive, Burleigh Heads

12 Good Reasons to OpShop!

While we ask people to choose to adopt their next companion animal, we are also asking people to shop...at our Op Shops!

AWLQ has just opened its twelfth op shop in South East Queensland.

The new shop is located at 162 Turpin Road Labrador and was opened during National Op Shop Week in August.

So, if you love a bargain, and want to also help us help, treat and rehome animals in our care, head to one of our Op Shops.

There are 12 good reasons to shop on our website - visit awlqld.com.au and look for our Op Shop locations. You can also find us on Facebook.

Happy Bargain

Hunting!

AWLQ Tawl Tails Spring Edition 2016 - Page 13

The Mysterious Case Of Sherlock SOLVED! The curious case of a Brisbane cat missing for three months has been solved, thanks to a microchip.

The Walker family left their aptly named tabby Sherlock with friends just before Christmas and went on holidays. It seems Sherlock did too!

“Sherlock had lost his collar a few weeks before we went away,” owner Stephen Walker said. “He was good at losing his collar. “I wasn’t terribly concerned because he had a microchip and I didn’t think he would disappear.”

But that’s exactly what the four year old did. For three months the family searched for the beloved family member, putting up flyers, making phone calls. The search really never ended.

“I always had a feeling that he would return,” Frances Walker said. “It was just always in the back of my mind. “And he is such a friendly cat we thought he’d be alright.”

“For three month s the family searched for Sherlock, puttin g up flyers and makin g phone calls - the searc h really never ended!”

Late in March the Walker family received the phone call they had been dreaming of. Sherlock had been picked up as a stray and had found his way into the care of Animal Welfare League Queensland. What the team did next changed Sherlock’s fortunes, and solved his mysterious disappearance.

“Sherlock was scanned for a microchip by shelter staff who were very excited to find that he did, in fact, have a chip,” AWLQ Brisbane Rehoming Manager Leah Dent said. “They were even more excited to find out that the microchip details were current and correct. “It was lovely to make that phone call and reunite him with his family.”

Sadly more than 77 per cent of cats, and 13 per cent of dogs, that come into Animal Welfare League Queensland’s care are not microchipped.

It greatly reduces their chances of returning to their families. For the Walker family it was a teary reunion, but they were delighted to see how well Sherlock looked.

“He’s such a smooch,” Mrs Walker said. “Sherlock loves people and he would have been conning people into feeding him the whole time. He’s such an incredible cat.”

Sherlock’s story even made the news with Stephen telling the Brisbane Times’ journalist that he too was a bit teary. “The thing that disturbed me (sic; when we picked Sherlock up the lady) said, ‘It is so nice you are happy to have him,’ and I thought ‘Isn’t everyone?” “She said most people say, ‘We moved on, we don’t care, send him to the AWLQ’.

“There are a lot of people who couldn’t care less.”

Microchipping costs less than $40, can be undertaken by your AWLQ Community Vet Clinic and is half price when you bring your dogs and cats into our Gold Coast and Ipswich Vet clinics for desexing. For more information go to awlqld.com.au and look for our vet clinics.

AWLQ Tawl Tails Spring Edition 2016 - Page 14

AWLQ IN THE NEWS!

Team McQue comes on bo en ard

Gold Coast Titan Chris McQueen doesn’t just have a love of football.

He loves animals!

So we’re super excited to announce that Chris has become an AWLQ Ambassador.

“I have always had a real connection with animals. When the opportunity was presented to work with AWLQ, I jumped at the chance,” Chris said.

It’s a natural fit for the versatile footballer who will also be volunteering.

The Project is a Picture Perfect Campaign

Boris the Pig dor Life After Labra

During July Channel Ten’s The Project dropped into video a story about our long term dogs in Brisbane.

Local Brisbane pet portrait artist Stephen Gallagher, a mad keen dog lover, offered to paint some of our long termers.

“Stephen does an incredible job and manages to capture their unique and special personalities to the point where you can look into their souls,” Brisbane Rehoming Manager Leah Dent said.

Boris is not your usual stray animal.

The Berkshire pig was found in a suburban Labrador backyard, and came to Animal Welfare League Queensland (AWLQ) through the Pound.

Boris was very frightened when he first arrived, unsure of people and we weren’t sure how he ended up in an urban backyard! But in just two short weeks, well he took to life at the Coombabah Rehoming Centre,

“The AWLQ team has been incredible, allowing me to do volunteer work in-and-around my professional commitments.”

Chris, who has had dogs his whole life, has a particular fondness for Staffies. He has two beautiful dogs Thor and Monster!

We are very excited to have Chris on board. He joins an incredible team of committed Ambassadors including Sally Pearson and Ita Buttrose. You can read more about Chris on our website – awlqld.com.au

Stephen is planning on painting 100 shelter dogs, 80 from AWLQ. The paintings will be offered to the new owners or sold after an exhibition of all his pieces. Fifty per cent of all funds raised will go back into the AWLQ. New owners will also get free prints of their new fur baby.

If you would like to adopt one of our shelter dogs in Brisbane head to awlqld.com.au.

Look out for Steven’s work on www.stephengallagherart.com.

like a duck to water. And he loved one of our team, photographer Britt (pictured here when Boris’ story became local news) very much.

The Budd family thought Boris was the best, and he went off to live at Elanora with a pledge that he’ll never end up on a plate! Thank you to everyone who chooses to adopt our many and varied animals in need.

AWLQ Tawl Tails Spring Edition 2016 - Page 15

THANKS TO OUR SUPPORTERS

Von Bibra

...getting involved at every level!

AWLQ would like to extend a huge heartfelt thank you to the Von Bibra family and all the staff at Von Bibra Auto Village for their ongoing support since 2012.

Since its inception our AWLQ Community Partnership Program has seen the Von Bibra Group donate in excess of $288,970 to our cause.

This generous support has helped AWLQ achieve even better outcomes for the many animals in our care and we are forever grateful.

This is a truly terrific Gold Coast business supporting our community and the care does not stop there.

On Saturday 25th June Von Bibra Robina hosted an AWLQ Pop Up Pet Adoption where two gorgeous little puppies were blessed to find their new homes.

On Sunday 21st August approximately 20 staff from Von Bibra rolled up their sleeves and joined together to help in some hands-on work. This included cleaning, maintenance, and of course who better to clean our fleet of Hyundais than the sales team from Von Bibra.

Thank you to the team at Von Bibra Auto Village!

Op Shops BEAUDESERT Shop 1, 15 William St Beaudesert 07 5541 0187 BURLEIGH Cnr Gold Coast Hwy & Elder St Burleigh 07 5568 7677 COOMBABAH Coombabah Plaza, Hansford St Coombabah 07 5529 6015 COOMBABAH Shelter Road, Coombabah 07 5509 9016 CURRUMBIN 2/56 Currumbin Creek Rd Currumbin 07 5525 0362 IPSWICH 189 Brisbane St Ipswich 07 3282 9277 LABRADOR WAREHOUSE Unit C6-239 Brisbane Rd Labrador 07 5529 1244 LABRADOR 1/162 Turpin Rd Southport MIAMI 5/46 Pacific Ave Miami 07 5575 2194 NERANG 5/14 Lavelle St Nerang 07 5502 2881 SOUTHPORT 18B Young St Southport 07 5591 2728

Antiques Cat & Hound 18C Young St Southport 07 5503 1162

PLEASE DONATE! To arrange collection of donations phone 07 5509 9056

Page 16 - AWLQ Tawl Tails Spring Edition 2016

COMMUNITY INITIATIVES

Rotary supporting animals in need Revenue raised from the Carousal in Broadbeach Mall is distributed via the Rotary Clubs Community Fund to charities in need.

a Date Night Making A Difference

Every Friday night the Rotaract Club of Southport runs the Broadbeach Carousel.

Would you like to enjoy all the benefits of having a puppy or dog in your home without the responsibilities of long term dog ownership? Now you can.

AWLQ was grateful to receive the $3,574 for equipment to continue its care at our Florence Venery Cat Rehoming Centre at AWLQ Gold Coast

Doggie Date Night is an exciting initiative where you can take a pup or a sweet adult dog into your home overnight from our Beenleigh Rehoming Centre. Our dedicated staff and volunteers have enjoyed the concept for some time, but now we’re making it public!

Due to an extended cat breeding season caused by a warmer than usual Summer, the funds were crucial in upgrading the air-conditioning and veterinary equipment. Thank you Rotary for all your support to our community!

If this is for you...come in and see our amazing Beenleigh Rehoming Centre staff at 2 Rossmans Road, Stapylton.

EDUCATION

We find that date night dogs are far more relaxed and happy animals.

Our more experienced puppy raisers also start training our pups in basic obedience, setting them up for a solid foundation of learning.

WARN ING

taking pups home at night becomes highly addictive.

One long term puppy raiser Tracey Gillard, who stopped counting at 264 pups, says this is one of the most fulfilling programs she has been involved with!

The Key To Great Pet Care & Ownership

Animal Welfare League Qld (AWLQ), as part of the education outreach programs, runs the CARE (Children & Animals; Respect & Empathy) program. This is an animal-assisted therapy program for children who are victims of domestic violence.

Programs like this exist to teach the child how to reconnect with animals.

Exposure to animal cruelty often results in a compromise of the child’ s psychological development, and increases their tendency towards animal cruelty themselves as a symptom of their distress. This places the child at higher risk of going on to become perpetrators of violence towards people.

The National Youth Mental Health Foundation, Headspace, aims to provide early intervention mental

health services, along with assisting in the promotion of young peoples’ wellbeing. As a part of the CARE program, Headspace Southport adopted two guinea pigs, Larni and Bruno, to assist with their clients’ therapy sessions.

Melissa Thurley, Youth Participation Coordinator for Headspace Southport, recently advised us of a breakthrough with one of their clients. This young man was unable to sit still, was very irritable and had trouble talking with the therapist.

They gave him both Larni and

Bruno to hold, and he sat quietly with them, and patted them whilst engaging in conversation with the therapist. Melissa says “we couldn’t have done it without our therapy piggies.”

If you would like more information on the wealth of programs AWLQ offers head to our website awlqld.com.au.

AWLQ Tawl Tails Spring Edition 2016 - Page 17

Don't forget about me...

Bequest

PROGRAM

Since 1959 Animal Welfare League Qld (AWLQ) has rehomed more than 115,000 surrendered and abandoned animals. It’s a legacy we could only achieve with ongoing, community support. Please make AWLQ’s mission to rehome animals who arin desperate need your legacy. Leave a gift in your will and help create a bright future for animals in need. After all, everyone deserves a second chance.

Ph: 07 5509 9033 | E: bequests@awlqld.com.au

Animal Welfare League Qld

CONSIDER WORKPLACE GIVING. Small change can bring BIG change to an animal's life.

Ph: 07 5509 9057 bdm@awlqld.com.au

Thank you to our Corporate Supporters for all your support

Page 18 - AWLQ Tawl Tails Spring Edition 2016

PLEASE DONATE...

WE URGENTLY NEED YOUR SUPPORT.

Embracing a Brighter F

ut u

re

Animal Welfare League Qld

Without the generosity of our donors, AWLQ could not continue to operate.

As a registered Donation Gift Recipient (DGR), any donations over $2 are tax deductible. Your donations allow us to continue our welfare work and aids in the care of more than 17,500 animals that come into our care each year.

With your support, we are able to gives animals a second chance at life.

YES - I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Title:_______ First Name:____________________________________ Surname: ___________________________ Address:________________________________________________________________________________________ Contact Ph: ____________________________ Email: __________________________________________________

Why not join our family of Regular Givers?

I would like to make an ongoing monthly donation of: $5

($1.25 per week)

$10

($2.50 per week)

$20

($5.00 per week)

$50

Other $__________

($12.50 per week)

Or you can make a one-off donation!

I would like to make a one-off donation of: $35

$60

$100

$240

Other $__________

Credit Card Payment Please Debit my Credit Card for the nominated amount above

Once only

Monthly

Visa

Mastercard

Name on Card: ______________________________________________________Amount:_____________________________ Card Number: _______________________________________________________CVV:____________Expiry: ______________

Direct Debit Authorisation Please Debit my Bank Account for the nominated amount above

Once only

Monthly

Account Name: ________________________________________________________Bank:___________________________ Account Number: ______________________________________________________BSB Number:_____________________

Direct Deposit - Bank Transfer

Cheque Payment

Account Name: Animal Welfare League of QLD Inc BSB: 484-799 Acc. No: 084 801 679 Ref: Name or Client ID Number

Authorisation

Cheques payable to: ‘Animal Welfare League of QLD Inc’ Send to: AWLQ Accounts Department PO Box 3253, Helensvale Town Centre QLD 4212

I request/authorise AWLQ to arrange for funds to be debited from my account at the financial institution shown above according to the schedule specified above and in accordance with the terms described below.

Name:_______________________________________Signature: _________________________________Date:____________ YES - I would like a Tax Deductible Receipt

YES - I would like to be added to the mailing list and kept up to date with AWLQ news!

If you wish to make changes to the drawing arrangements, contact our Accounts Department on (07) 5509 9045 at least five (5) business days prior to the next due date. These changes may include: deferring the drawing; altering the frequency; altering the amount; stopping an individual debit; change of account details; canceling the automatic payment completely. AWLQ does not share your personal information.

SUBMIT VIA POST

AWLQ, PO Box 3253 Helensvale Town Centre Qld 4212

DONATE VIA PHONE

Call Kirsty in Accounts: 07 5509 9045 or Main Switch: 07 5509 9000

Leave a Legacy...Leave a Gif in your Will.

A bequest to AWLQ ensures our work can continue, guaranteeing the future of abandoned and homeless animals is secure and bright.

Find out how you can leave a lasting legacy to animals.

DONATE ONLINE OR VIA EMAIL

Visit awlqld.com.au OR - Email this form to accounts2@awlqld.com.au

Animal Welfare League Qld

Ph: 07 5509 9033

E: bequests@awlqld.com.au

Choose to Adopt!

visit awlqld.com.au

adopt | donate | volunteer Page 20 - AWLQ Tawl Tails Spring Edition 2016