Animal Aid By Debra Boland
THIS is my last contribution for the year and on behalf of Animal Aid I would like to take the opportunity to thank the team at the Mail Newspaper Group for all their support over the last year.
Through this column and various editorial appearances we have been able to share our stories and inform the community about current pet ownership and animal welfare issues.
This not only helps to raises the awareness of our work, it also encourages the community to make adoption their first option.
The coming months are going to be a very busy time for the team at Animal Aid, as we work together with the community to care for stray and abandoned pets.
This is particularly the case with cats. Kitten season is already upon us and we are bracing ourselves for the inevitable influx of pregnant cats and young kittens the will arrive over the warmer months.
Desexing, or rather the lack there of, is such a key factor in this seasonal population influx, there are already far too many homeless pets, we don’t need anymore. So we implore the community to desex your pets.
Summer is just around the corner and for the residents of the Yarra Valley that means fire season. We urge the community to revisit their bushfire safety plans, including contingencies for their pets and livestock.
Christmas will be here before we know it, as will all the festivities that accompany the New Year’s celebrations. Fireworks and the season thunderstorms will again send thunder-shy pets fleeing in fear of the presumed danger. This festive season please ensure that your pets are securely confined when you can’t be with them.
Families that are considering a new pet should do so with forethought and planning, it should never be a spur-of-the-moment decision. Take the time to do your homework on what sort of pet would best suit your lifestyle and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Animal Aids friendly staff have a lot of experience in matching people and pets and would love the opportunity to help you find your perfect pooch, pussycat or pocket pet.
Take care of our fellow creatures, not only during this festive season but throughout the year. They rely on us to nurture and guide them throughout their lives and let’s face it, our lives would be so much poorer without them.
