Limited Edition - news from the Sydney Dogs and Cats Home - Winter Issue 2012

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  • 7/31/2019 Limited Edition - news from the Sydney Dogs and Cats Home - Winter Issue 2012

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    Forgotten dogs lending a pawto our Young Diggers

    The Young Diggers is an wonderful charitable organisa on that assists veterans of the Australian and NewZealand Defence Forces. They have recently established a new Companion Dog Program, The Dog Squad, inwhich dogs are trained to become accredited assistance dogs for those su ering from combat stress, as well asphysical and/or mental illnesses.

    Friend to the Home, head trainer and director of The Dog Squad, Steve Aus n, has suggested a partnership withthe Sydney Dogs and Cats Home that will see suitable dogs being selected from the shelter to be put throughthis rewarding program.

    Shelter Veterinarian and CEO Dr Chris ne Cole is excited about this greatopportunity to re -home more of our forgo en dogs. This is truly anincredible opportunity for the dogs that come in that havent had thehappiest life, to see them become someones life line will be trulyamazing, she says. We look forward to building this wonderful

    rela onship with Steve Aus n and the Young Diggers organisa on.

    Our rst pup, Marvin (see right) has now been inducted into the program.The 11 -month -old Kelpie X, who is known to sta and volunteers as StavinMarvin, was surrendered to the Home by his owners in October 2011. Hehas a personality as big as his energy levels and a er being overlooked forso long, now Marvin has an exci ng future. We look forward to followinghis progress as the training begins for our rst recruit.

    The Sydney Dogs and Cats Home is dedicated to giving Sydneys lost andabandoned pets a second chance at life. Aligning with such programs as

    The Dog Squad is another way that we can ensure our dogs reach their fullpoten al.

    Winter 2012

    To keep updated with the happenings at the Home, like us on facebook www.facebook.com.au/sdch

    http://www.facebook.com.au/sdchhttp://www.facebook.com.au/sdchhttp://www.facebook.com.au/sdch
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    Early this year a dona on arrived at the Home with amessage from Rochelle and Roman, who had adoptedMr Bojangles, aka Grogan. It read: Somewhere betweenoutliving Whitney Houston and Valen nes Day 2012,Grogan embarked on his well -earned slumber... ny,toothless, angry. You were much loved, li le dude. Thankyou Sydney Dogs and Cats Home for bringing Grogan, akaMr Bojangles, into our lives.

    To give a gi in memory of a loved one passed is a ngway to pay tribute. By making a gi towards the Home youwill support the care of Sydneys lost or abandoned pets. If you would like to make a secure gi online in memory of someone special, go to sydneydogsandcatshome.org orcomplete the enclosed coupon.

    Mark the Mas , all 33kgs of him, came to Sydney Dogsand Cats Home in early January this year. The big, strongseven -year -old had been picked up as a stray in the

    Kogarah area. Although he had a microchip, his chipnumber did not show up on our register and we wereunable to track down his owners. In the hopes thatsomeone would recognise him, we posted Marksphotograph on our Lost and Found page on the website,but two weeks went by and no one came forward to claimhim. January soon passed, then February and March.Although Marks placid nature had seen him became afavourite of our sta and volunteers alike, no one seemedinterested in adop ng the big brindle boy. Over me,Mark began to show signs of stress and the need to ndhim a new family became more urgent that ever.

    Then, at the start of April, a phone call out of the bluechanged everything. Marks owners, recently relocatedfrom New Zealand, had been desperate to nd theirbeloved dog but hadnt known where to look. Finally theycame across our website and there he wastheir belovedUsa, Marks real name. Theyd nally found him. Usa wasoverjoyed to see his owners again and their reunion wasone of the wonderful happy moments that make our workhere so worthwhile.

    Because Usas microchip details hadnot been updated when his ownersrelocated, we had been unable totrack down his family. Please makesure you update your contact detailson all your pets microchips whenyou moveso that should your furryfriends go astray, your story canhave a happy ending too!

    It never ceases to amaze me thatSDCH can achieve so much good withso few resources. To work in a placelike SDCH can be an extraordinaryemo onal drain on the sta andvolunteers but we get our rewardsfrom the countless good newsre -homing stories.

    This atmosphere isnt for everyone,but gradually with an improving

    nancial situa on and the persistence of our sta andvolunteers, the ship is turning around. Our CEO andVeterinarian Dr Chris ne Cole has her hand on the ller atall mes, and is working hard to build a strong team for the

    Shelter.

    Over the last 4 years, we have never dropped our preGe ng to Zero mindset: to reduce unnecessary euthanasiaand nd homes for all our healthy adoptable animals. Weaim to provide treatment/rehabilita on wherever possible,to get our animals into good homes. Our results areformidable for dogs, but the reality is that due to sheernumbers and the feral cat popula on in some council areas,it is a lot harder to achieve this for our feline friends.

    While zero euthanasia of healthy adoptable animals haslong been our goal, we recognise that this will always betempered by responsible re -homing. We receive a numberof dogs that are proscribed breeds that must be euthanizedby law, and others that may not be safe to re -home due tocertain behavioural issues. I have watched and listened toother similar organisa ons results and have easily beenable to say that percentage -wise we are foremost in thestate in terms of re -homing.

    It is not unheard of for us to keep a dog for six months whilewe seek an appropriate owner, though we recognise that,despite frequent walks, the shelter is not the most suitableenvironment for a stay of that length. Whenever possible,we place our long -termers in foster care.

    A case in point is one where we had a large dog with us fornearly three monthshe had a face that only a mothercould love. The team was con nuously worried for him.Then one day his owners turned up. They had been inhospital and he had wandered o . It was hard to tell whowas the happiesthim, his owners or us.

    The last few years have been di cult, whilewe have sought a middle ground with the12 Councils we service, but now I can say thatI am thrilled at the acceptance and assistanceo ered by our Councils.

    In conclusion, it has been another great yearand the future looks bright as it is ge ngbe er all the me.

    Nigel Reay -YoungChairman

    Usas one happy pup tohave his owners nd him

    a er 3 months!

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    William and Kate

    My cat is sneezing a lotis this normal? Does he have a cold? What should I do?

    Sneezing can be a sign of an ac ve respiratory virus, but also an allergy or some other condi on. All animals willsneeze from me to me, but if the cat is otherwise well, does not have a nasal discharge and the sneezing isonly occasional, there is nothing to worry about.

    However, if your cat is showing other signs such as lethargy, loss of appe te, thick nasal discharge, coughing orlaboured breathing, its me for a check -up. A unilateral nasal discharge is also an alarm bell as it may heraldsomething more sinister, such as a tumour, fungal infec on or even a foreign body.

    Respiratory viruses are very common in cats. They can remain dormant only to be reac vated by stress such as amove, new housemate (human or 4 -legged) or holiday at the boarding facility or an unplanned stay at thepound.

    Most cases of cat u, like human u, do not respond to or need an bio c treatment. This is because an bio csare not e ec ve against viruses. They can only help where there is secondary bacterial infec on.

    Regular vaccina ons are recommended as they can reduce the severity and dura on of illness, but they will notprevent all infec ons in all cats. If your cat is ge ng frequent bouts of u -like illness, then it may be worth rulingout the feline immunode ciency virus (FIV), which involves an in -house blood test by your Vet. This virus can beprevented by vaccina ons.

    16 June 2012Sydney Dogs and Cats Home Book FeteLeichhardt Town Hall, 107 Norton Street LeichhardtCome on down, meet the team and grab yourself a greatread. All money raised supports the Home!

    A 15 year old cat hasprobably spent 10 years

    of its life sleeping.

    Our version of the Royal Couple arrived at theHome on the 28th December 2011.

    These two are very closely bonded, so arelooking for their forever home together. They

    are both quiet dogs that will suit a quiethousehold without children. They area ec onate and love cuddles. If you would liketo come and meet them, call 02 9587 9611.

    Impound Number: F2011282 Genders: Male & Female Age: 6 & 2yrs Breed: Silk Terrier X Microchipped: Yes Desexed: Yes Fee: $680

    12 August 2012Sun Herald City2Surf

    www.city2surf.com.auentries open 27 May.If you plan to hit the pavement this August, rememberthe Sydney Dogs and Cats Home when selec ng yourcharity of choice. Well be cheering for you!

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    Donkey Donkey was surrendered inDecember 2011 by owners whowere moving overseas.

    He is a laid back, sweet boy thatprefers pats over cuddles. He issociable, but likes his own space.Would suit a busy home.

    Impound Number: U2011068 Gender: Male Age: 5yrs

    Breed: Domes c Short Haired Microchipped: YesDesexed: Yes Fee: $200 Ph: 02 9587 9611

    Doggy Cup Cakes

    Here is a special treat for your dog, scrump ous Doggy Cup Cakes.

    Ingredients for Doggy Cup Cakes 13 cup (50 g) our13 cup (50 g) polenta1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder500 g minced chicken30 ml honey1 large egg14 cup (60 g) live -culture plain yogurt4 teaspoons vegetable oil1 container (125 g) spreadable cream cheeseDog Biscuits, as needed to decorate cake

    Prepara on method for Doggy Cup Cakes

    1. Preheat the oven to 180C. In a medium bowl, s r together the dry ingredients. Make a well in the centreand add the chicken, honey, egg, yoghurt and oil. S r un l just mixed.

    2. Line mu n n with cup -cake cases, then spoon in mixture. Bake for 10 -15 minutes un l the chicken iscooked, or a toothpick inserted in the centre and comes out clean. Turn out onto a cake rack to cool.

    3. Ice the cakes with cream cheese (thin the cheese, if needed, with a li le water) and decorate with dogbiscuits. Refrigerate in a air - ght container for up to 1 week.

    Note: Makes 12 cup cakes. Remove paper cases before serving.

    Do you have a Happy Tails story of your own? Is there aques on you want ask the Vet? Or would you like toleave us a comment or make a sugges on for our nextnewsle er?

    We would love to hear from you! Email us atmarke [email protected]

    We appreciate your feedback, it is because of oursupporters, people like you, that we can con nue to ndhomes for Sydneys lost and abandoned pets.

    Our goal is to prevent unnecessary euthanasia of healthy, loving, domes c pets, young or old, orwith special needs; by re -homing them and giving them a second chance at life. The Sydney Dogs and

    Cats Home services 12 council areas across Sydney and receives up to 4000 animals each year. The cost of caring for these animals is coveredfor the rst 7 or 14 days, depending on whether or not the animal is microchipped. A er this we rely on the generosity of a caring community.

    Sydney Dogs and Cats Home, 77 Edward Street, CARLTON NSW 2218 Ph: 02 9587 9611 Fax: 02 9588 9569 www.sydneydogsandcatshome.org

    mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]
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    Jack Russell Terriers

    What makes a good dog trainer? I am asked this ques on so many mes and the answer isreally quite simple.

    The rst thing I look for in a good trainer is how their owndog performs/behaves. This can be very telling on how wellthe trainer can train. You cant judge a book by its cover,but you can certainly judge a dog trainer by his/her dog.

    Another a ribute that a good trainer must have is acomplete and thorough understanding of ALL aspects of dog training. This includes, but is not limited to the fourquadrants of operant condi oning. As I train dogs here inAustralia and overseas for all purposes, from narco c toconserva on work, I nd the really great trainers have

    extremely open minds and a very solid knowledge base onthe theory of animal condi oning.

    Good trainers are always trying to improve themselves, bydoing formal approved dog -training courses, and passingthose courses, as well as a ending seminars as o en asthey can.

    Compe ng in formal obedience compe ons is yet anotherway to become a good trainer. These compe ons includeobedience trials, agility trials, herding trials, gundog eld

    trials etc. They are a great way to improve your skills andexperience, because they set goals that you must achieve togain your relevant tles. To become a good dog trainer these two a ributesare absolutely cri cal: PATIENCE AND CONSISTENCY.Without them, you will never achieve the goalsin dog training that you have set yourself.

    With Steve Aus nwww.steveaus ndogtrainer.com

    In the coming issues of this Newsle er, Iwill give you some dog -training ps thatI hope will help you to improveyour skills. Regards, Steve Aus n

    Lastly, you must have a great sense of humour; if you dont it will all go downhill!

    PipiPipi arrived at the Home on the27 th December 2011, and is currentlyin foster care.

    This happy old girl is looking for ahome where she can relax and enjoyher golden years. She is best suitedto a quiet household, with nochildren, as she becomes worried bya hec c environment.

    Impound Number: F2011280 Gender: Female Age: 13yrs Breed: Australian Kelpie Microchipped: Yes Desexed: Yes Fee: $340 Ph: 02 9587 9611

    History Jack Russell Terriers originated in Englandaround the early 19 th century. They werebred as working dogs, and take their

    name from the Reverend John Russell,who bred them to hunt foxes.

    Appearance JRTs are built to hunt. Small but in perfectpropor on, they are typically straight -legged and narrow -chested, whichallows them to go a er their quarry insmall spaces. Their coats are usuallywhite with black and/or tan markingsand may be rough, smooth orbroken.

    Character

    Strong -willed, independent and asser ve; these fearless li le dogsare known to be highly intelligent, and will keep you entertainedfrom puppyhood through to their dotage.

    Health JRTs are robust and hardy characters. With appropriate care theytypically live into their mid -teens. They require li le grooming, butlike most dogs may shed to some degree.

    What are they like with other animals?JRTs are not generally good with pocket pets, as they tend to have ahigh prey drive. They can learn to live happily with other dogs andcats, but its best to introduce them under controlled condi onsand monitor the interac on as JRTs can be dominant and intolerant

    of others.

    Is this the dog for me?JRTs are known for being high -intensity; however, provided withadequate s mula on to keep their intelligent minds engaged, theyneed not have you running around the park all day! They aregenuine lovers of people, and will relish your a en on andcompany. Older JRTs, while s ll entertaining, will quite happily hangout with you at home and may only need a couple of walks a day orto po er around the garden. Try a ball, or squeaky toy, to really wintheir heart!

    Jeepers is available for adop onImpound Number: D2012117Age: 3yrs Gender: FemaleBreed: JRTMicrochipped: YesDesexed: Yes Fee: $340

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    Jewel Jewel arrived at the Homepregnant in February 2012.

    She gave birth to one ki enand has since been asurrogate mum to twoorphaned ki ens. She is nowready to be re -homed.

    She is a loving girl and adoresbeing cuddled. She loves nothing more than having the sides of her face scratched. She is sociable, and likes children of allages.

    Impound Number: S2012060 Gender: Female Age: 3yrsBreed: Domes c Short Haired Microchipped: Yes Desexed YesFee: $200 Phone: 02 9587 9611

    This Australia -wide campaign was puttogether with the aim of sheddingsome light on how many lost or

    abandoned pets are put to sleepbefore they are found new homes.

    Euthanasia should only occur if an animal is irredeemablysu ering, if a dog or cat is classi ed as dangerous or theprognosis for rehabilita on is poor.

    The Sydney Dogs and Cats Home is proud to be the rstanimal shelter in NSW to be a part of this campaign, and wewill con nue to do our part by giving Sydneys lost orabandoned pets a second chance at life.

    For more informa on head to the website www.g2z.com.au

    Gail Hewi , VolunteerWhat do you do at the Sydney Dogs and Cats Home? Im a Volunteer. I help with cleaningthe food bowls and the cat li er trays and I talk to the dogs and keep them company. I alsohelp with mopping the oors and anything else that Ti any (Kennel Manager) needs. I alsolend a hand when recep on needs help with any odd jobs.

    How long for? Ive been a Volunteer at the Home for 2 years now and love it!What do you love most about your role at the Home? It is a great place, I love keeping thedogs company and all the sta are lovely. Dr Chris Cole is beau ful.

    What did you do before you came to the Sydney Dogs and Cats Home? This is the rst meI have volunteered. I chose the Home because I love animals so much (especially dogs).

    Tell us your favourite Happy Tails story? Pipi was my favourite, a big dog who was fostered.She was so excited she wouldnt stop wagging her tail! Also I loved spending me withBarney, he was blind and deaf. He was a good boy.

    What was the name of your rst pet? I had a mouse and its name was Caramello.

    Do you have any pets today? No not at the moment, thats why I love coming to the Home and spending

    me with the dogs.If you could be any animal what would it be? I would be a dog, they love company and I love company.

    If you won the lo ery what would you do with the money? I would give it to the Home to help themlook a er the dogs.

    Gail is holding Chip, who was recentlyadopted

    ...to the wonderful people at Crea ve Holidayswho dropped into the Home and donated $500!

    L R Amanda Stokes, SDCH Fundraising Manager, Peter Douglas,Director of Sales, Lauren Mullaly, Marke ng Co -Ordinator, andDamian Cerini, Marke ng Manager

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    The support of a generous communityensures we can continue to care forSydneys lost and abandoned pets,

    giving them a second chance at life!

    Ways you can help!

    1. Make a tax -deduc ble dona on

    The cost of caring for the animals is covered bycouncil for the rst 7 to 14 days, depending onwhether or not the animal is microchipped. A erthis period we rely on dona ons.

    2. Give a gi in -kind

    There are a number of items that the Home isalways in need of, including;

    Micro bre blankets/Towels

    Dog and cat treats

    Cans of good quality cat food

    Durable dog and cat toys

    Durable leads and harness (no choke collars)

    Unfortunately, the Home cannot accept thefollowing: woollen blankets, doonas, pillows,household goods or clothing.

    3. Hold a Fundraising Event

    Hold a bake -o at work, a movie night withfriends or ask for dona ons to the Home at yournext birthday party. The op ons are endless! If you are interested to nd out more aboutholding your own fundraising event email:[email protected] or callus on 02 9587 9611.

    4. Volunteer

    Do you want to come and walk the dogs, playwith the cats or do you have a skill that couldhelp the Home? If you are interested to nd outmore about how to volunteer, email us [email protected] or callus on 02 9587 9611