Inspiring the next generation of animal lovers Page 5
Tassie’s big day out!
Page 6
What’s on at AWL
Page 8
CONNECTING PETS, PEOPLE AND COMMUNITY
Hattie’s happy tale
Many of you will remember Hattie, the brave mother dog who was found raising her puppies on the street. She was underweight, suffering from skin issues, and had a swollen eye, but she was still doing everything she could to care for her litter.
Continue reading Hattie’s heartwarming story on page 3.
One of Hattie’s puppies.
Hattie
Supporting pets and their people
AWL’s new Healthy Pets Program is off to a promising start, with our first session held in Davoren Park in partnership with Foodbank SA/NT, Zoetis and The Rural Vet Mob.
This initiative is all about providing free nose-totail health checks, vaccinations, microchipping and preventative care to pets whose owners may be doing it tough – and helping ensure no pet misses out on the care they deserve.
The pilot session gave us a chance to meet pet owners referred through Foodbank and offer practical support to help them keep their beloved companions healthy. It was a reminder of how powerful the human–animal
bond is. Tyson and his dog Boo were among the first visitors, and his words stayed with us: “She’s like my daughter – I put her first before me, every time.”
Best of all, this is just the beginning. We’re planning on expanding the Healthy Pets Program across South Australia in areas where support is most needed. We’ll be working closely with community partners and local councils to bring veterinary care directly to the people and pets who need it most.
“I just spent $4,000 at the vet because she had cancer and I couldn’t afford to vaccinate her on top of that. She’s my best friend - my husband died of cancer and I didn’t want her to die too. I can’t say how much this means to me.”
– Joanne and Abby
By removing barriers to pet healthcare, we’re not just preventing illness and suffering - we’re helping to keep pets and their people together, safe and healthy. We’re incredibly grateful to our partners and can’t wait to roll out more sessions in the months ahead.
Stay tuned for updates on this life-changing program by heading to awl.org.au and subscribing to our eNews!
Hattie’s happy tale
Thanks to the kindness of supporters like you, Hattie and her puppies were brought safely into AWL, where they could finally rest, recover and receive the care they so desperately needed.
Despite everything she’d been through, Hattie’s loving nature shone through from the start. Our vet, Dr Michelle, said, “She had such a sweet temperament from the moment we met her. She was such a good girl and so brave – I’m so glad she’s safe now because she’s a very special dog who deserves the world.”
Once she was ready, Hattie went into foster care with Wendy, who gave her a quiet place to heal and adjust to life without the pressure of motherhood.
“Her personality is so loving – all she wants is someone to constantly pat her. She is one of the sweetest dogs I’ve ever met.”
– Wendy, Hattie’s foster carer
Caring for cats and community in Kilburn
Earlier this year, we partnered with the City of Port Adelaide Enfield (PAE) to deliver a new, community-focused desexing initiative in Kilburn – a suburb with one of the highest numbers of catrelated calls and intakes in the council area.
The program offered free desexing, microchipping and vaccinations for cats aged four months to seven years, exclusively for Kilburn residents holding a concession, pensioner or senior’s card. It was designed to prevent unwanted litters and reduce the number of cats entering shelters – a key step toward long-term change in how we care for cats in South Australia.
Run over three stages at the Kilburn Community Centre and AWL Wingfield, the program included health checks, transport for surgery appointments and follow-up care. It also provided an opportunity for council officers to connect directly with the community, sharing advice and resources to support responsible pet ownership.
By focusing on one suburb, AWL and PAE were able to better understand the impact of targeted
Now, we’re thrilled to share that Hattie and her puppies have found loving homes. They’re safe, happy and thriving – and it’s all thanks to your generosity and support during their time of need.
Hattie and her puppies are now safe and loved, but so many more animals still need urgent care and a place to heal. Your donation can give them that chance. Visit awl.org.au/donate to change their lives for the better.
desexing, creating a model that, if successful, could be expanded into other areas and even help inform future policy at a state level.
We’re grateful to PAE for their proactive approach and to the Kilburn community for embracing the program. Together, we’re finding new ways to support pets and the people who love them before they ever need to enter the shelter system!
Head to awl.org.au/blog/meet-sunny-sweepand-sooty to meet a feline family of three and learn why their story is a great example of why desexing is important.
Snoop’s long journey home
When Snoop the dachshund arrived at AWL as a stray earlier this year, our team quickly scanned her for a microchip. Thankfully, she had one! Her microchip connected us to her owner, Tawnii, who answered the phone from hundreds of kilometres away in Queensland.
Just the day before, Tawnii had made a mad dash interstate to be with her sick father. While she was away, Snoop was accidentally let out by a housemate and couldn’t be found. “I was devastated,” Tawnii said, “and because I was interstate at the time, I felt so powerless.”
Tawnii immediately jumped in the car and drove the 30 hours back to Adelaide, just to be reunited with the little dog who means the world to her. “She’s my baby, she’s just like a child,” she said.
After spending just one day in Adelaide to collect Snoop, Tawnii hit the road again and spent another 30 hours driving all the way back to Queensland with her beloved girl safely by her side.
“If we had lost Snoop I would have been devastated, and so would my kids. Snoop
is part of our family.”
– Tawnii, Snoop’s owner
When asked what she would say to others considering microchipping their pet, her answer was simple: “Definitely get it done. We wouldn’t have been reunited with Snoop without it.”
Snoop is now back with her family where she belongs, and it’s all thanks to her microchip.
To learn more about microchipping, head to awl.org.au/blog/microchip
Jenny’s legacy of love
For Jenny, supporting animals isn’t just something she does; it’s who she is.
She has loved animals her whole life, and while working in the aged care sector Jenny saw just how important pets are to people, especially those who are lonely or isolated.
“I met many clients who had companion pets that gave them a purpose in life each day. Many of these people expressed concern about what would happen to their pets if they could no longer care for them.”
This concern is what led Jenny to AWL’s Happy Hearts Program; “It got me wondering about what would happen to my cats if something happened to me. That’s when I found the AWL Happy Hearts program.”
The program is available to caring people who choose to leave a gift in their Will to AWL. This thoughtful gift not only ensures their own pets will be looked after, it also helps create a brighter future for other animals in need.
Jenny quickly registered her three beloved cats, Barry, Andy and Sandy, saying “This program has given me comfort knowing that my cats will be looked after if I can no longer care for them.”
Jenny has recently come on board as a volunteer to promote the Happy Hearts program, helping provide fellow pet lovers with the same peace of mind she’s found.
To find out more about the Happy Hearts program, head to awl.org.au/leave-a-giftin-your-will
Inspiring the next generation of animal lovers
At AWL, we believe that education is key to building a better future for animals – and our Animal Care Pathways course is doing just that.
Designed for Year 10 students with an interest in working with animals, this hands-on nine-week program offers a unique behind-the-scenes look at life in an animal care facility. Held at AWL’s Wingfield Animal Care Centre, students gain real-world experience in caring for cats, dogs, puppies and kittens while learning about animal behaviour, enrichment, wellbeing and the day-to-day operations of a shelter.
From making enrichment toys and setting up animal pens to visiting the vet clinic and learning how to use our adoption systems, students leave the course with a deeper understanding of what it takes to work in shelters, kennels, pet shops and vet clinics. Best of all, they get to build bonds with the animals themselves. As one student, Kai, shared: “My highlight today would be getting the trust of the kittens and getting cuddles from them both.”
Offered once per term, each course runs for nine Mondays and is open to small groups of up to 12 students, accompanied by a teacher.
If you know a young person with a passion for animals, this could be their first step into a lifelong career!
For more information, head to awl.org.au/animal-welfare-education
David’s mission to help animals
Living with a rare neurological condition, David refuses to let his diagnosis define him.
Inspired by the belief that “if you have a body, you are an athlete,” he’s turning every kilometre into support; it’s his way of giving back after his loyal dog, Angus, showed him the unwavering love pets have for their people. By raising funds for AWL, David is helping provide pets in need with a second chance at love. Just like David, you can create your own fundraiser.
Head to awl.org.au/fundraise to find out more.
Tassie’s big day out!
Our Doggy Day Out program gives dogs a break from shelter life and the chance to enjoy real-world adventures with volunteers. For Tassie, it was a day to remember!
Tassie is a high-energy girl with a big personality and like many dogs in care, she can be a little unsure around other pups. Thanks to the patience and understanding of her Doggy Day Out companion, Danette, we got to see her shine in a whole new light.
After a quick intro at AWL with another dog, Gracie, the pair headed off to Brahma Lodge in separate cars. Tassie was the perfect passenger, happily perched on the centre console watching the world go by (and even sneaking in a grateful kiss!).
At a local football game Tassie started out a little overwhelmed, but once the noise settled and Gracie headed home for some quiet time, Tassie transformed. She became calm, attentive and beautifully focused on Danette. She was walking politely, sitting in crowded areas and soaking up the sights without fuss.
She wasn’t bothered by bikes, kids, walking sticks or crowds, and even politely met a young child with supervision. “She really is one of those rare, takeanywhere dogs,” Danette said. “We all fell in love.”
Doggy Day Out not only gives dogs like Tassie the enrichment they need to thrive, it gives them the chance to show who they really are outside the shelter.
Wendy leads the way
Meet Wendy, our talented volunteer whose kindness, creativity and craftsmanship are making a meaningful impact on the animals at AWL.
Since joining in 2023, Wendy has become a cherished part of our community, known not only for her compassion but also for her highquality, handmade dog leads.
Wendy’s love of animals started early, growing up with cats and a loyal Collie-cross named Prince, who followed her dad home one day and never left. That lifelong passion led her to AWL. Everyone at AWL knows that on a Tuesday, it is Wendy’s smiling face that you will see when you walk into our Animal Care Centre and she’ll most likely be doing something crafty like weaving dog leashes.
Her message to anyone considering helping animals is simple:
Interested in taking a dog out for a day of fun and fresh air? Visit awl.org.au/doggydayout to learn more!
“Don’t hesitate—just do it. They’re no different from us. They just want to be loved and have a safe place to call home.”
Head to awl.org.au/blog/diy-dog-leash for a video tutorial on how to weave a leash like Wendy does!
BEHAVIOUR CORNER WITH BEN
Why did my dog just ‘lose it’ on our walk?
If your normally calm dog suddenly barked, lunged or had a meltdown on a walk, especially after seeing something they’ve handled well before, you’re not alone. Chances are, they were experiencing trigger stacking.
Trigger stacking happens when multiple small stressors build up, pushing your dog over their emotional threshold. Think of it like a cup filling up drop by drop – eventually, it overflows.
Here’s how it might look:
Stress threshold
A noisy truck rumbles past (+10%)
You grab the lead and your dog gets excited (+20%)
You grab the lead and your dog gets excited (+20%)
A pram goes by (+20%)
A noisy truck rumbles past (+10%)
You grab the lead and your dog gets excited (+20%)
Stress triggers before and during a walk
Then… another dog appears!
Usually it’s no big deal, but today it’s the tipping point (+20%) and suddenly, your dog reacts.
A pram goes by (+20%)
A noisy truck rumbles past (+10%)
You grab the lead and your dog gets excited (+20%)
So what can you do?
• Watch for early warning signs like lip licking, yawning, scratching, pulling, tail tucking or shaking off. These subtle cues mean your dog’s cup is filling.
• Reset with fun, easy cues like “touch,” “shake” or “drop” to help your dog refocus and let go of some tension.
• Teaching “let’s go” is also a fantastic cue to teach when you do need to redirect the dog away from a stressful situation.
• Getting your dog’s nose to the ground is one of the best ways to help decompress them after getting out of a stressful situation.
• If a reaction happens, don’t panic, just gently guide your dog away and give them time to calm down with plenty of yummy treats.
• When emotions are high, it’s not the time to train. Instead, help your dog rebuild confidence in calm, controlled spaces, like watching quiet dog videos at home and rewarding relaxed behaviour.
With time, patience and understanding, you can help your dog face the world one paw at a time! For more behaviour advice, head to awl.org.au/blog/common-behaviours.
Looking for a furry friend to join your family?
Visit awl.org.au to see all of the pets who are currently looking for their forever homes.
AWL adoption sites
• AWL Wingfield ACC 1-19 Cormack Road, Wingfield
• AWL Edinburgh North Shelter 4 Hewittson Road, Edinburgh North SA 5113
We’ve reopened in Gawler!
We’re excited to welcome you to the new home of our Gawler Op Shop: 137 Murray Street! Last year we also opened a new shop in Unley, check out all our locations by visiting awl.org.au/shop-at-our-thrift-shops
Amaryllis’
fundraiser
Have you got your ticket for the AWL lottery?
Tickets are just $5 each, and the funds raised in the lottery help provide food, shelter, warmth and love for all of the animals in our care. Visit awl-lotteries.com.au to get your tickets
We were so lucky to meet eight-year-old Amaryllis recently, who used her birthday to raise over $600 for animals in need! She and her mum visited our Animal Care Centre for a behind-the-scenes tour where they learned all about how the money she raised saves the lives of the animals who come though our doors. She also did a presentation at school about AWL and her tour (and check out her awesome birthday cake)! Thank you so much for your efforts, Amaryllis. The animals are in safe hands with you around!
To stay up to date with all things AWL, visit our website and sign up for our monthly e-newsletter. Visit awl.org.au
