FREAKY TREAT: Animal Aid’s Debra Boland and friend, Scrappy enjoy a taste of Eat for Pete TEN Yarra Valley restaurants, cafes and hotels have signed on to take part in Animal Aid’s 2005 “Eat for Pete” fundraising weekend on 1 and 2 October.
Animal Aid in Colstream launched Eat For Pete three years ago in conjunction with local eateries as an awareness and fund raising venture. This year it is being held in conjunction with World Animal Day.
Established 55 years ago, Animal Aid takes in an average of 5000 lost or abandoned animals a year. It also operates a public veterinary clinic and boarding kennels and runs a range of welfare programs for people and their pets.
Animal Aid marketing manager Matthew Tibble said each of the 10 restaurants taking part over the weekend will donate a portion of their takings to Animal Aid to help with the day to day running of the centre.
“Adoption fees barely cover costs so the proceeds of this weekend help fund things like veterinary costs for the animals.”
“But, as much as anything, it’s about raising the profile of Animal Aid and letting people know of all the different things we do here,” he said.
Matthew said a lot of people don’t realise what Animal Aid offers until they have the need to visit to use the boarding kennels, retrieve a lost pet or adopt an animal.
Eat for Pete is a great excuse to treat yourself to a coffee and cake with a friend, knowing that a portion of your bill will be donated to the Animal Aid.
In addition to fabulous food, Matthew said the people associated with the participating eateries share a love of animals and recognition of the work of Animal Aid. “I believe they see the value in what the staff and volunteers do here and are keen to help us to let others know about it,” he said.
The participating eateries this year are Cheese Freaks and The Black Spur Nursery Cafe in Healesville, Rustic Charm in Wandin North, Genies Cafe in Kallista, Yarra Valley Coffee, Red Gum Gallery, Olinda Creek Hotel and Blue Turtle Cafe in Lilydale, Morrison On The Park in Mt Evelyn and Hidden Delights Cafe in Lilydale.
For more information on Eat for Pete, or other animal issues and advice, contact the Animal Aid on 9739 0300.
