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 Animal abuse and abandonment in Australia are shockingly high, reports Richard Watts.
Every year in Australia over 200,000 cats and dogs are put to sleep because they don’t have homes to go to. Lort Smith Animal Hospital, the largest Animal Hospital in the southern hemisphere, has cared for and treated over 100,000 animals in need in the last 12 months alone; and demand for their emergency services continues to rise.
According to Lort Smith CEO, Ric Holland, Victoria currently faces a pet overpopulation crisis, with around half a million un-owned stray or feral cats alone living across the State.
“Literally thousands of these animals end up in our shelter, many needing emergency treatment, intravenous fluids, medication, radiographs and even surgery before they can be re-homed, and it all costs money,” he says.
“Just a few weeks ago a young woman brought in a cat she had rescued from inside a commercial dump bin. Apparently she heard the cat crying as she walked past the bin, and after investigating further found the cat with its head caught in the bin’s drain pipe. After enlisting a neighbour to help free the cat, they brought it into Lort Smith where it was treated for a damaged tail and glue eyes. Named Dumpy by our staff, it was then put with one of our foster carers for two weeks while it recovered and has since been adopted.”
“I see stories like this every single day. Pets, just like people, suffering unnecessary homelessness, abuse, neglect and disease. Only they can’t defend or look after themselves. They need people like us to help and protect them.”
With an experienced veterinary staff of more than 90, Lort Smith Animal Hospital receives no government funding, and relies on the support of people who care about animals to continue its vital services.
Become a foundation supporter of the Lort Smith Animal Emergency Fund by making a $500 donation today. Call Penny Reiners on (03) 9321 7213 or email
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Photo: Amazon Activist.
FOSTER A PET
Up until only a few months ago, Jack, Bundy and Salty had lived their lives on a working sheep farm in rural Victoria. They spent their days either chasing sheep or in the yard, all the while knowing they had a job to do on the 3000 acre property that was their home. When their owner passed away, the three dogs were placed on the RSPCA Bequest Animal Program and the process of finding a suitable permanent foster home for them began.
It was soon discovered that the three dogs much preferred the lifestyle of their metropolitan canine friends rather than sheep herding on the farm, which was a thing of the past.
All three dogs are now living with their own foster family, and are enjoying the comforts and pleasures of a comfy bed, warm log fires and plenty of toys. Ironically, they all live within 10 minutes of one another, and are hoping to sometimes meet up at the park for a play.
The RSPCA is always looking for foster carers for the Bequest Animal Program.
If you are willing to share your life and home with an orphaned pet and have some extra love to give, please call our Donor Relations Coordinator on 9224 2280 or visit www.rspcavic.org
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