Archive for February, 2008
RSPCA are extremely excited to announce Network Ten, Adelaide have come on board as major sponsors of the 2008 RSPCA Million Paws Walk.
They’ve offered up to $20,000 worth of support to help promote the event. They’re generously contributing the costs of the production of a local advertisement and advertising time.
Network Ten in WA have been long time supporters of the ‘Walk’ in Perth and both organisations say the partnership has proven to be exceptionally successful.
Perth’s Million Paws Walks numbers surged after it’s first local TV advertising campaign, in fact they boasted a crowd of over 8,000 last year. Here in SA, we certainly hope to emulate such a feat - over a few years of course!
Showing their commitment to the community, Channel Ten also began their ‘National Volunteering Program’ late last year. The scheme involves staff members doing a days work at their chosen charity or welfare organisation and in return the Network grants them a day’s leave. They have once again chosen the RSPCA as one of the main recipients of this program.
We’re exceptionally happy with the newly established partnership. We’re confident it will prove mutually beneficial, both during the Million Paws Walk and well beyond.
The Million Paws Walk will take place at Elder Park on Sunday May 18.
Entry form & information will be online on Wednesday March 5.
February 29th, 2008
The Today Tonight story last night indicated that two dogs and their eight puppies had been ‘left to fend for themselves… (and) fed from over the fence…just enough to keep them alive for five weeks.’ During a pre show promotion, on Seven News, it stated that the RSPCA ‘won’t act’, and throughout the actual report mentioned several times that the RSPCA were ‘too slow to act.’
These claims are all completely false, here are the facts:
On Friday 15th of February the RSPCA received a report about one ‘Staffordshire Bull Terrier’ at an Ascot Park property. The reporter was concerned that the dog’s owner had left the premises. An RSPCA inspector promptly attended the property and found two healthy dogs of an extremely normal weight. As is standard practice in alleged abandonment cases, food and water was provided and a calling card left, requesting contact within 24 hours.
The RSPCA consequently received a call from the mother of the dog’s owner. She said that she had been feeding them regularly (as their body condition suggested) and that her son was in police custody. Three days later, on Monday 18th of February, the same woman called the RSPCA to inform them there were now a further 8 puppies at the property. The woman ensured us she would attend to the pup’s every day and the inspector gave her healthcare advice.
The RSPCA then received another call from a neighbour concerned that the woman was not taking sufficient care of the puppies. The RSPCA went directly to the property to once again check on the puppies. The inspector, trained in animal care, thoroughly checked the puppies for signs of illness and/or malnutrition, and also gave the animals more food and water. All of the dogs were very healthy, and had shade, food and water. The inspector once again left a calling card requesting contact within 24 hours.
The next day, just over a week and a half from the initial call, and one week from being alerted about the puppies, the woman once again responded the card. She voiced concerns about the welfare of her son, and his ability to care for the animals. She said, although she had been caring for them, she may struggle to continue to do so. On hearing this, two RSPCA inspectors went to the property immediately and took all 10 dogs. They are now in RSPCA care.
Some further clarification:
Having more than the 3 dogs is an offence in Marion City Council zone. Having unregistered dogs is an offence in the Marion City Council. Fines need to be handed out accordingly by the council.
It is an offence to abandon an animal, and the RSPCA do have the power to punish those who break this law. However, over the 11 days that the RSPCA was involved in this case, the dogs were being regularly attended to by a member of the owner’s family. If the dog’s are being fed, given water and attended to at the request of the owner, the situation cannot be abandonment. As soon as the woman was unable to continue caring for the dogs, we seized them immediately.
February 29th, 2008
READY: Pip the Chihuahua will need her car harness if she does a lap with Craig!!*
Craig Lowndes knows all too well how important safety is when driving, and would never drive his V8 without buckling up. As an RSPCA National Superhero, Craig, in Adelaide for the Clipsal 500, knows ‘buckling up your pup’ is just as important.
The RSPCA attends at least one car accident a week in the Adelaide metropolitan area where a dog has been injured. A car harness is a simple, effective way to prevent injury to your pooch. With the long weekend and Easter coming up, it’s a timely reminder.
While the government pushes the message of buckling up in the back seat to prevent injury to driver and/or front passenger, an unrestrained dog can be equally deadly. In fact, in America, many states are in the process of making dog restraints law.
There is also the issue of distraction. A recent survey suggested that an unbuckled dog is more distracting than a mobile phone to a driver.
Aimee McKay, RSPCA Spokesperson:
‘While the image of a dog with it’s head out the window, it’s ears flapping in the breeze, is a familiar one in Australian society, it’s also a dangerous one. As much as the dog enjoys it, it’s clearly very dangerous. Restraining your dog is protecting your dog, yourself and other passengers. The cost of a restraint is tiny compared to the vet bill coming your way when your dog fractures their skull or breaks a hip in a car accident.’
*In case anyone was worried, we didn’t really subject poor little Pip to Craig’s driving!!
We want to thank Craig for being extremely generous with his time on the day before racing began at the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide. We wish him all the best in the main race on Sunday. If you are watching, you’ll see the RSPCA logo on his helmet..looks even better when it flies past the chequered flag in first place!
February 21st, 2008
(General shot of Semaphore Road, Semaphore)
After the huge success of our Thrift Shops in Tanunda, Brighton, Blackwood, and most recently Warradale, it was time to head toward the Port… well, Semaphore!!
The new shop opened this week and staff are already run off their feet. Neil Springbett, who does a brilliant job of managing ALL of our Thrift Shops, is fantastic at sorting the trash from the treasure, and ALL of the shops, have nothing but treasure.
From young fashionistas looking for retro pieces from the 1950’s to the 90’s, to Mums and Dads looking for exceptional kids clothing, to general bargain hunters wanting great value and quality. Neil knows fashion, and will not tolerate anything but quality in her store! She has even managed to get some fantastic NEW pieces straight from designer clearance houses - hear that girls?!!
And of course the best thing about shopping at our Thrift Shops… all the money goes straight to helping the RSPCA help the animals.
SO, go and have a look! It’s 67A Semaphore Road, Semaphore, right near the cinema.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!
If you would like to volunteer at the Semaphore shop and help the RSPCA, call Neil on : 0413 016 272.
February 14th, 2008
Here’s your chance to be a winner!
The RSPCA has joined forces again this year with the highly successful Australian Central Credit Union Community Lottery in the hope of raising $10,000 for veterinary equipment for the new Veterinary Centre being built at the Lonsdale Animal Shelter.
This time of development is very exciting for the RSPCA. Having our own Veterinary Centre will make everything so much better for the thousands of animals that visit our shelter each year.
At the moment many of the veterinary services required by the RSPCA are performed by external vets, which means transporting animals between the shelter and the clinic, often more than once, which can be very stressful for the animal involved and also very costly.
A dedicated RSPCA Veterinary Centre will mean that more animals will be able to be seen by our own veterinarian, the animals can be kept under observation at the RSPCA and the costs involved will be significantly reduced.
By purchasing tickets in this Community Lottery, not only will you be helping the ever increasing numbers of animals received by the RSPCA, but you will be in the running for some great prizes. In all, there are 113 prizes which can be viewed at www.australiancentral.com.
1st prize is a Mitsubishi Lancer VR-X,
2nd prize is a $25,000 Harvey Norman shopping voucher,
3rd prize is another car! a Mitsubishi Colt Auto Hatch VR-X.
4th prize is a Bunnik holiday valued at $20,000
5th prize is an eight day Gold Service Ghan rail experience
6th prize is a Toshiba complete home theatre system
Be a winner and purchase your tickets today!
Tickets are on sale now @ $2 each and can be bought from:
RSPCA HQ, 172 Morphett St, Adelaide (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm), our Animal Shelter, 25 Meyer Rd, Lonsdale (Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat & Sun 10am-2pm),
OR any one of our Thrift Shops at Brighton, Warradale, Blackwood, Semaphore and Tanunda.
OR over the phone via a credit card by contacting Jenny on 8212 6871. (Minimum of 5 tickets)
The Lottery closes on June 30th and will be drawn on July 26th.
February 13th, 2008
RSPCA Australia has joined a global coalition of animal welfare organisations to demand an end to the long distance transport of animals for slaughter. In Australia, the Coalition, Handle With Care, will focus mainly on ending the live export of sheep to the Middle East.
The Handle with Care campaign is a world-first alliance to send a clear message to industry and government that this inhumane and unnecessary trade will no longer be tolerated.
The RSPCA has long argued that the export of live sheep, goats and cattle for slaughter is inhumane. Animals exported from Australia face a journey of up to 5 days from the farm-gate to their overseas destination. On the way they endure extreme stress, heat exhaustion and sweltering temperatures. Many also suffer from disease and, every year, tens of thousands die along the way.
Those that do survive are slaughtered in the most horrific, barbaric way.
Quite frankly, proponents of the industry have had long enough to address these serious issues and now it’s time for action.
That’s why the RSPCA has joined forces with organisations including The World Society for Protection of Animals (WSPA), Compassion in World Farming and Animals Australia in an unprecedented alliance to bring international attention to the trade.
Yesterday a global report called Beyond Cruelty, Beyond Reason, Long Distance Transport and Welfare of Farm Animals was released. It identifies Australia as a world ‘leader’ in the cruel live export of animals for slaughter. This is certainly no badge of honour. In fact, (not surprisingly) the findings in this report paint a very different picture to the one fashioned by the live export industry and the Rudd Government.
As one of the world’s largest exporters in live animals for slaughter, the global spotlight is now on Australia to bring this cruel and unnecessary trade to an end.
Despite industry protestations, the trade is unnecessary. Australia already successfully exports chilled and frozen meat all over the world and has Halal-certified export abattoirs supplying Halal meat to the Middle East. This highlights there is a viable, functioning alternative. Growth in this trade has tremendous opportunity.
There is no need to export live animals for slaughter – as the report states it is beyond cruelty and beyond reason. The Handle with Care coalition has launched a call for action and is asking all Australians to register their opposition to live exports by visiting:
www.handlewithcare.gov.au
February 12th, 2008
The Australia Day long weekend has been and gone, and unfortunately this usually means, sadly, the delectable summer holidays are done and dusted for yet another year. The kids are all back at school now, (and thankfully out of the shopping malls) so it’s time to get serious about outlining your new year’s resolutions, or if resolutions aren’t your thing, it might just be time to achieve something you have always wanted to, but just have never got around to.. or like so many of us, FINISH what was started this time last year!
Last year my resolution was to exercise more and eat more fruit and vegetables. So I purchased a gym membership and spent more money on organic, natural foods and vitamins. A year later, I’ve been to the gym about 4 times, and as I type, I have a diet coke and and a piece of chocolate sitting in front of my computer. My best friend had a goal to lose ten kilograms. She put on five. My Mum wanted to read more, relax more and go on more holidays. I said goodbye to her last night at her house, that she has hardly left all year, as she was doing the dishes with the pile of ‘must read’ books sitting, undisturbed.
If these stories all sound oddly family, you’re not alone. An Australian survey shows well over 90% of us make, and break, our resolutions. But, why? The survey says one thing became very clear. We don’t have enough time! Many of us leave for work at 7-8am, finish work at 5-6pm, get home at 6-7pm, THEN the real work begins! We are exceedingly time poor. So why waste your precious time and money ? (by the way - anyone want to buy a Next Gen. membership?? ha ha)
Make 2008 the year you DO make a change that makes both YOUR life and thousands of others a whole lot better.
How? Become an Friend of the RSPCA. What does it take to be a Friend of the RSPCA? Well, thankfully there’s no running or dieting of any kind! The program was established to give YOU a chance to make donating regularly as simple as possible.Through this program you can contribute (electronically) on a monthly basis through your bank account or credit card. Lots of people have already jumped on board since it’s induction, with the 135,000 animals we deal with every year benifitting greatly!!
At our shelters we are heartbroken by the horrific acts of cruelty and mistreatment we deal with on a daily basis. However we are motivated by the best part of our job, getting the critters healthy, happy and giving them a second shot at life. But it all costs money, and being a charity, we literally RELY ON YOU! Yes, you!
For just $5 a week you can provide a puppy or kitten with it’s first vaccination and worming treatment. A huge step in getting them ready for a new home! That means you’re vaccinating/worming more than 52 kittens and/or puppies a year! NOW YOU HAVE TO FEEL GOOD ABOUT THAT!
It also means you’ll receive RSPCA, SA newsletters and journals so you can keep up to date with all of our fantastic events, special stories from our shelters (have your tissues handy!), as well as our superior pet physical and behavourial tips and tricks.
It’s up to you - you can give as little or as much as you like - if you pay more than $10 a week, you ALSO receive half price membership! Another great way to support the RSPCA.
So go on, call us today on 8231 72 38 and we can help you set it all up - and then you’re done- no ongoing commitments, no calorie restricitons, just feel good flutters all the time knowing at that very second you’re money is being used to save a beautiful puppy, kitten, koala, rabbit - well any creature, great or small.
It’s definitely the best resolution I have ever made, no excuses required.
February 5th, 2008
Above -Denzel, one of our NSW greyhounds.
Twelve homeless dogs flew into our city from Sydney last Thursday, and they flew out of the Lonsdale shelter nearly as quickly. This time however, their mode of transport wasn’t a 737, they traveled out in the arms of new owners.
Seven of the doggy dozen that made the trip from a NSW shelter have found homes. For the very content critters, the big journey was justified. By Friday morning, just 18 hours after their plane touched down, four pooches had already been put on hold. By Sunday afternoon seven were snuggled up in new surroundings. Unfortunately the three greyhounds, which were racing dogs, are still looking for someone to take them in. Aimee McKay, Media Spokesperson: ‘It’s obviously fantastic that so many of the former New South Welshdogs went so fast. We were confident the SA public would welcome these doggie drifters and to respond the way they have, confirms we’re an accommodating city when it comes to animals. ‘While we’re extremely excited the majority have been rehomed, it is a little disappointing that the greyhounds have been overlooked. Obviously people don’t think they’re as cute as the smaller, white fluffy maltese and terrier crosses.
The RSPCA is asking dog lovers to look beyond the greyhounds awkward looks. They’re traditionally very gentle and excellent with children and other animals. Despite what many think, they actually don’t need a lot of exercise. While they are obviously quick they are not endurance animals, so they are very happy being couch potatoes. They really are a great choice for a family, or someone looking for a loyal mate.
We really hope the greyhounds, and of course the other two dogs, can find owners as soon as possible. They’ve all been through quite a bit, so they really do deserve to settle in to a new home now and finally get some to stability.’
To view pictures and find out more information on our ‘Sydney turned Adelaide’ dogs, and of course all other animals we have up for adoption, go to our ‘Adopt a Pet’ website below…
Could one of these animals be your pet? Click here, and find out!
And of course for everything else that’s happening at the RSPCA in Adelaide and Lonsdale -which is LOTS in the next few months- keep an eye on our South Australia website below..
For all your pet questions, RSPCA Events, and how you can help..Click here!
February 4th, 2008
