AWLQ_Tawl Tails_Spring18

Ttaawlils SPRING 2018
OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF ANIMAL WELFARE LEAGUE QUEENSLAND | EST. 1959

MCEEOS’SSAGE Our Patrons

Welcome to our Spring edition Centre for our Golden HeartsTM event - HON. MICHAEL KIRBY AC CMG
of Tawl Tails. It’s hard to believe An audience with Ita. AWLQ is fortunate
we are in September already to have the support of Ita Buttrose as ITA BUTTROSE AO OBE
and with that comes the warmer one ofAWLQ’s Patrons and Ambassador
weather. of our Golden HeartsTM Seniors Pet MEMBER OF AUSTRALIAN CHARITIES
Support Program. FOUNDATION
While for most Spring provides a
reprieve from the cold, for AWLQ it I would like to take this opportunity to FOUNDING MEMBER OF ANIMAL
signals the start of a very challenging thank our generous supporters who WELFARE LEAGUE AUSTRALIA
time of the year, kitten season. Cats are donated to our recent Tax Appeal. As a
prolific breeders with one female cat result, we raised over $70,000.00 from
capable of having up to three litters a this. On behalf of over 12,900 animals
year. AWLQ is a leader in the campaign who will benefit from your kindness this
to desex and through our National year, we thank you.
Desexing Network we work with the
community to prevent unwanted litters. We invest $660.00 into each animal to
We are excited to announce AWLQ prepare them for adoption. This money
will be partnering with Brisbane City is never recouped. We can’t sustain it on
Council to offer subsidised desexing our own, and it’s not too late to donate.
for Brisbane residents through the I encourage you to visit our website to
Brisbane Cooperative Desexing make a donation today.
Program.
Our goals are ambitious. We don’t turn
The warmer weather also means tick away animals who are suffering, we
season and our Community Vet Clinics don’t euthanise animals because they
are already seeing cases of paralysis are old or require treatment. Our model
ticks. Not only is the paralysis tick one is different and because of this we need
of the most common, it’s also one of your support now more than ever.
the most dangerous. Please ensure you
protect your pets this tick season. Warm regards,

We were recently honoured and Denise Bradley
Chief Executive Officer
delighted to welcome back Ita Buttrose

AO OBE to our Gold Coast Rehoming

AWLQ HEAD OFFICE Events AWLQ ANIMAL REHOMING CENTRES Beenleigh FEEDBACK
Shelter Road 07 5509 9015 Rossmans Road, Stapylton
Coombabah QLD 4216 [email protected] Gold Coast 07 3807 3782 We would love to hear from you.
Shelter Road, Coombabah [email protected] Please send any feedback, photos
PO Box 3253 Friends Forever 07 5509 9000 or story ideas to
Helensvale Town Centre Loyalty Program [email protected] Willawong [email protected].
QLD 4212 07 5509 9033 501 Gooderham Road, Willawong
[email protected] Warra 07 3714 2800 © No part of Tawl Tails may be
07 5509 9000 523 Telegraph Road, Bracken Ridge [email protected] produced or used in any form
[email protected] Fostering 07 3631 6800 or by any means, either wholly
07 5509 9020 [email protected] or in part, without prior written
Bequests [email protected] permission from Animal Welfare
& Legacy Pets League Queensland.
07 5509 9099 Golden HeartsTM
[email protected] Seniors Pet Support AWLQ COMMUNITY VET CLINICS SOCIAL CHANNELS
07 5509 9033
Business Relations [email protected] Gold Coast Community Vet Clinic @AWLQLD
& Fundraising Manager Shelter Road, Coombabah #awlq
07 5509 9057 PR & Communications 07 5594 0111
[email protected] Manager [email protected] /Animal Welfare
07 5509 9030 League Qld
Community [email protected] Ipswich Community Vet Clinic
& School Education 42 Tiger Street, West Ipswich
07 5509 9034 Volunteering 07 3812 7533
[email protected] 07 5509 9019 [email protected]
[email protected]

With your support in 2017/18

6373Our shelters rehomed
animals

Our shelters desexed Our shelters rehomed

3962 430

cats and dogs senior cats and dogs

Our shelters microchipped Our shelter vets provided

3881 30775

cats and dogs medical treatments

Thank you

Page 3 - Tawl Tails Spring Edition 2018

An audience with Ita

Media personality Ita Buttrose AO OBE, AWLQ Patron and Golden HeartsTM
Seniors Pet Support Program Ambassador, joined us at our Gold Coast Rehoming
Centre for a very special Golden HeartsTM event.

This highly interactive event saw well-known “As we age it is important to keep active and
presenter Ian Cousins interview Ita in front of a live engaged with our peers, and the Golden Heart
audience, followed by questions from the audience. events provide just that.

Denise Bradley, AWLQ Chief Executive Officer says “It was wonderful to hear first-hand the positive
with a growing population of senior-aged people in impact this program is having on Seniors lives.
our community, Golden HeartsTM presents a unique There was Rusty who AWLQ cared for when his
community avenue for elderly people to stay in their owner was rushed to hospital, along with Bella who
homes while happily ageing in the company of their has transformed the life of Christine. Both stories
pets. were so heart-warming!

“Golden HeartsTM is a world-first community “They were a true testament to the important role
initiative with proven health and social benefits for animals play in our lives,” said Ms Buttrose.
mature-aged people.
As its Ambassador since 2015, Ita says she is so
“In developing Golden HeartsTM, a free pet support proud to endorse the Golden Hearts™ program.
program for people aged 65 and over, AWLQ
recognises how beneficial the shared experience of “Advocating for seniors in the community, I’ve
companionship can be. It’s well documented that come to understand the unique challenges facing
sharing your life with a companion animal provides those in this age group. Owning and caring for
increased physical activity and offers an alternative a companion animal can relieve many of these
to a life of isolation. challenges. However senior-aged people often
wrongly believe they are too old to care for a pet
“AWLQ is incredibly fortunate to have the support and there are times when many elderly people
of Ita Buttrose as one of AWLQ’s Patrons and who do own a pet, sometimes feel in need of extra
Ambassador of our Golden HeartsTM program,” said support to care for their animals but are unsure of
Ms Bradley where to turn to for help.

Ms Buttrose said it was a pleasure to spend time “Golden Hearts™ supports the many benefits of
with so many Golden Hearts™ members and hoped animal companionship and has been designed to
they enjoyed their time as much as she did. break down barriers that stand in the way of senior
people owning pets. I look forward to spending
time with all the Golden Hearts™ members again
in the near future,” said Ms Buttrose.

For more information on Golden HeartsTM Seniors
Pet Support Program call 07 5509 9033 or visit
awlqld.com.au/golden-hearts.

Page 4 - Tawl Tails Spring Edition 2018

1.

3.

2.
5.

4. 6.
7.

8.

1. Jacquie Kennedy - Golden Hearts™ Program Manager, AWLQ; David Crisafulli - MP for Broadwater; Ita Buttrose; Sam O’Connor - MP for Bonney; Denise
Bradley - Chief Executive Officer, AWLQ 2. Amanda Abate - Presenter, 7 News Gold Coast and Ita Buttrose 3. Ita Buttrose and Fay Bradley Golden Hearts™
Member 4. Ita Buttrose meets an AWLQ dog 5. Christine Weldon - Golden Hearts™ Member 6. Ita Buttrose and Thorne Lyons - AWLQ Ambassador with
Golden Hearts™ Members 7. Cathy Stewart - 1029 Hot Tomato and Ita Buttrose 8. Ita Buttrose with Golden Hearts™ Members

Page 5 - Tawl Tails Spring Edition 2018

Protect your pet this
tick season

Every year the paralysis tick, will cause paralysis in over 100,000 companion animals on the east
coast of Australia. Paralysis ticks are external parasites that suck the blood from their host animal
and their salivary glands produce a toxin that affects the nervous system on the host.

Once paralysis occurs the animal is likely to die HOW TO SPOT THE SIGNS OF TICK POISONING
unless it is treated quickly with anti-tick serum If your pet has come into contact with a paralysis
injected by a vet. It still takes 48 hours for the tick they will experience paralysis in a variety of
toxin to be removed so your pet can continue to forms. A typical case will start with a weakness in
deteriorate during this time. the hindquarters that will then progress to total
paralysis of all four legs.
WHERE ARE PARALYSIS TICKS FOUND? Other early symptoms may include the following:
• Difficulty breathing
Ticks need humidity and mild weather to develop • Loss of appetite
and aren’t able to survive in cold climates. They • Vomiting or dry retching
are most commonly found along the east coast of • Excessive salivation
Australia during the warmer months, but can be • Difficulty swallowing
found inland in suitable habitats and in northern • Coughing
parts of the country all-year-round. • Noisy panting

HOW CAN I PROTECT MY PET? “Not only is the paralysis
tick one of the most
The best way to protect your pet is to check them
daily. Begin with their head and remember that common, it’s also one of
you’re more likely to feel the tick than see it, so the most dangerous.”
make sure you use your hands. Check inside your
pet’s ears, nose, mouth, under their chin and around
their throat. Move down the front legs and check in
between their toes. Feel along their body making
sure to check their belly, and then check down
their back legs and in between their toes. Inspect
your pet’s genital region as ticks can sometimes be
found there and finish with their tail.

Page 6 - Tawl Tails Spring Edition 2018

Dear Supporter

Thank you for your donation to the 2018 AWLQ Tax Appeal.

Your love of animals and gift has provided a future for abandoned animals – a future they deserve.
You have helped us to help them.

Animals like Kojak who was dumped on the streets in pain, with no fur to keep him warm.

With your support AWLQ brought Kojak back to health, together we helped his fur grow back and
made him strong again. We took away his pain, we gave him a whole new life full of love and

kindness. Most importantly, you gave him a second chance as he now has a permanent loving
home with a family. It’s so different from the lonely and frightening world he’d come from.

On behalf of over 12,900 animals who will continue to benefit from your kindness this year,
we thank you.

Kind regards,

Denise Bradley
Chief Executive Officer

To every animal that comes through our
doors we make a promise.

To never euthanise a healthy, sociable or
treatable animal in our care.

KOJAK - MAY 2018 KOJAK - JULY 2018

Page 7 - Tawl Tails Spring Edition 2018

And they lived happily
ever after

We promise to never euthanise a healthy, sociable or treatable animal. Some animals stay in our
care for weeks, even months until they find a home. These are happy tales from families who have
provided their new companions a second chance after spending more than 120 days in our care.

Rugsie had been waiting more than 120 days “The biggest hurdle has been her separation anxiety.
to be adopted, but when she was spotted by We have started working with a dog trainer to help her
Rochelle, Rugsie’s wait was finally over. adjust.”

“As soon as I saw her I just said can I please take her. Rochelle’s advice to anyone considering adopting
I just knew she had to come home with me, it was an animal, who has spent a long time at a shelter, is
definitely love at first sight! Rugsie is very gentle, calm, to make sure that if the animal needs any extra care
caring and easy-going. She’s the perfect mix of playful or attention ensure you have the time. Also that you
and relaxed. She’s happy to go for a long walk and run are willing to put the effort in to help give that animal
around and play and equally as happy to just relax next the best life ever. She says every animal deserves that
to you on the couch,” says Rochelle. regardless of their age and circumstances!

She definitely wasn’t very animated when she was in “I would absolutely
the shelter, I noticed that when I first saw her. She has recommend adopting a
come out of her shell so much since bringing her home. long-term housed shelter
She makes small improvements every day and I feel animal, they really need a
that is because she is understanding more and more home to call their own.”
every day that this is her life now.

Rochelle says there have been some challenges along
the way but they are things that we are working on.

Like Rugsie, Tessa had been waiting 120 days A highlight of her day is collecting the children from
to be adopted, until one day when a different school, she loves seeing all the other children and
Tessa visited AWLQ. playing with the other dogs,” says Tessa.

“I wanted to take Tessa home because she has the same The family have seen a transformation in her emotions,
name as me so obviously it was meant to be! She had Tessa has gone from sleeping in a really tight ball at the
aslso been at the animal shelter for such a long time, so very end of the bed to relaxing and spreading herself
I had to take her home,” says Tessa. out.

“It is such a pleasure to have Tessa at home, she’s so “The biggest issue we’ve had with her is her
loving and so sweet. She helps me with my anxiety, understanding that she is allowed to come upstairs
keeps me calm when I can feel myself starting to get and she’s allowed to come on to the beds. She was a bit
anxious. She helps with the children’s bedtimes! Tessa shy at first not being sure where she was allowed to go
runs and jumps onto their beds and they know that and when she was allowed to be in the house, but now
they have to be nice and quiet and calm for Tessa to she’s really settled in and she’s got her little spots that
sleep with them at night. she loves.”

“Tessa loves people, wherever I go, Tessa isn’t far Tessa’s recommendations for anyone considering
behind. She will come and plop herself down near me adopting from a shelter, just do it! You will never be
and have a little bit of a pat then snooze away. loved as much as you are by dog that’s been in a shelter
for a while hoping for a home and a family.

Page 8 - Tawl Tails Spring Edition 2018

“You will never be
loved as much as
you are by a dog
that’s been in a
shelter for a while
hoping for a home

and a family.”

Leishae and her family spied Bert on the AWLQ’s website
and were drawn to him instantly.

Bert had been in AWLQ’s care previously and was adopted but he was
returned as he was a bit of a Houdini and liked to escape.
But Bert wasn’t like that with the Kariuses and was settling in well when,
after two weeks, he rolled off the bed one evening.
“He was having a seizure on the floor and we thought what’s going on.
Our oldest boy Reuban has epilepsy so we knew how to handle it,” says
Leishae
Bert had a cluster of five seizures that night and was becoming very
disoriented and distressed. The next morning they took him to the vet at
the shelter. Bert was diagnosed with epilepsy.
“I was blown away actually. It never occurred to me that a dog could have
epilepsy. What are the odds of that happening? So, this is our life. We
have two epilepsy babies in the house now.”
Reuban and Bert have formed a special bond. Both of them take their
tablets morning and night and the family is vigilant in keeping an eye on
the signs -for both of them. “I’ve done a lot of reading on epilepsy and
now canine epilepsy as well,” Leishae says.
“Bert is a gorgeous boy. He’s just got a beautiful nature and so gentle. He
and Reuban have that bond. We couldn’t imagine life without him.”

Page 9 - Tawl Tails Spring Edition 2018

Take your 1.
dog to work

day

2. 3.

4.

June 22nd is International Take Your Dog to Work 5.
Day®, a day when employers are asked to open
their businesses to pet dogs to promote the benefits
of pet ownership and encourage animal adoption.

Pets provide a number of physical and mental health benefits
forpeople. Pet dogs in an office can be averypositive experience
in the working environment for both the workers and the dogs!
7 News Gold Coast, 1029 Hot Tomato and myGC.com.au invited
some of our dogs into their workplace for the day.

6.

1. Amanda Abate - Presenter, 7 News Gold Coast with Tofino and Jasper - AWLQ puppies 2. Jasper - AWLQ puppy 3. Amanda Abate - Presenter, 7
News Gold Coast and Deon Savage - Chief of Staff, 7 News Gold Coast 4. Brooke Hanson - Breakfast Announcer, 1029 Hot Tomato; Jasper - AWLQ puppy
5. Carla Tooma - Presenter, myGC.com.au; Tofinao - AWLQ puppy 6. Brooke Hanson - Breakfast Announcer, 1029 Hot Tomato; Denise Bradley - Chief
Executive Officer, AWLQ; Flan - Breakfast Announcer, 1029 Hot Tomato and Cristo - Breakfast Announcer, 1029 Hot Tomato.

Page 10 - Tawl Tails Spring Edition 2018

Giving back through
Homeless Connect

Animal Welfare League Queensland has proudly assisted the homeless and their pets for the
past four years at the Gold Coast Homeless Connect and joined the Brisbane event for the first
time this year.

At the 2018 Gold Coast Homeless Connect, our When the need arises, AWLQ will assist the
veterinary team provided treatment and care for homeless to rehome their animals should their
33 animals. In addition we distributed 106 donated situation become too difficult.
items, 37 desexing vouchers and 18 veterinary We are committed to animals, and their owners,
consultation vouchers. when in need. Through Homeless Connect our
professional vet and vet nurse team can examine
Veterinary services on the day are supplied by each dog, or cat and offer advice.
AWLQ’s Gold Coast Community Vet Clinic. The
charter of AWLQ’s Community Vet Clinic is that no “A homeless person’s
suffering animal is ever turned away regardless of companion animal can
their owner’s financial capability. be the most important,
reliable friend in their
The Brisbane Homeless Connect event provided
AWLQ the opportunity to engage with 106 pet lives.”
owners and give advice. We also distributed donated
items for their companions including bedding and nTewwiRnfoakbmleDsilyew,niPttah. mhe&r
food in time for the cooler months.

This event is part of AWLQ’s commitment to the
care and treatment of companion animals in South
East Queensland.

A homeless person’s companion animal can be the
most important, reliable friend in their lives.

AWLQ is committed to ensuring that these best
friends are vaccinated, microchipped, wormed,
treated for parasites, given food and bedding, with
an offer of free desexing vouchers to their owners.
Our core mission is to provide comfort and care to
companion animals.

Page 11 - Tawl Tails Spring Edition 2018

Brisbane City Council
supports desexing

Brisbane City Council will be joining forces with Animal Welfare League Queensland (AWLQ) to
offer subsidised desexing for Brisbane’s cats.

Brisbane City Council have provided $52,000 in “The cost of desexing a cat can cost up to $290 and
funding for the 2018/19 year, to subsidise cat the Getting 2 Zero program is helping to subsidise
desexing for residents in need through AWLQ’s NDN this cost by up to 80 percent forBrisbane pensioners
Cooperative Desexing Program. and other low income owners, helping to reduce the
number of cats being abandoned.”
Residents will pay just $35 to desex a male cat and
$55 for a female cat. To help people with many Lifestyle and Community Services Chairman Cr
undesexed cats, additional female cats will only be Peter Matic said cats were natural predators and
$35. could cause serious harm to native wildlife, in our
clean, green and sustainable city.
Residents in need can phone NDN on 5509 9044 to
find out if they are eligible to receive a voucher for “Council received more than 700 complaints about
one of 30 participating vet clinics in Brisbane. feral cats last year, with more than 800 captured on
Brisbane streets,” Cr Matic said.
NDN thanks the 30 clinics across Brisbane who are
helping to provide this community service. “Enquiries about animal management is one
of the most common calls Council receives to
Deputy Mayor Adrian Schrinner said that residents its 24/7 contact centres and we are committed
could help reduce the number of abandoned pets to encouraging responsible pet ownership by
by taking advantage of Council-funded discounts equipping residents with the support they need to
on pet desexing. ensure their pet does not impact on the safety or
health of other people.”
“Council supports responsible pet ownership to
keep Brisbane a great place to live, work and relax, Brisbane City Council is the seventh council to offer
which is why we are supporting the Animal Welfare a cooperative desexing program, AWLQ also works
League’s Getting 2 Zero program,” Cr Schrinner with Banana Shire Council, Camden Council, City
said. of Gold Coast, Fraser Coast Council, Ipswich City
Council and Lockyer Valley Regional Council.
“Brisbane is a pet-friendly city and home to 145,000
family cats, however part of being a responsible pet For more information about the Brisbane
owner is ensuring these cats don’t have unwanted Cooperative Desexing Program, or to apply for a
litters, to reduce the numberofstray and abandoned voucher, call AWLQ’s National Desexing Network on
animals. 07 5509 9044.

Page 12 - Tawl Tails Spring Edition 2018

Create a lasting
legacy with your will

It’s a gift from the heart that will change lives AWLQ volunteers Mardie and Richard
and help AWLQ continue to give animals a (pictured) were so impressed with the level of
second chance in life. animal care provided by AWLQ, they decided
to leave a lasting legacy.
We opened our doors in 1959 and since then our
doors have never closed to homeless pets. With your “We know it will be put to a very good use. We think
help, they never will. that it’s a gift for the future for the welfare of all
animals in their care.
Last yearwe rehomed over 7,000 animals, all of these
were given a second chance thanks to the generosity “When it comes to bequests obviously it’s very
of our supporters. We rely on the support of animal much a personal decision. We took the view that
lovers like you to continue to be here for every animal we’d like to share whatever we leave behind with an
who needs our help. organisation that we believe in and what it stands
for,” says Richard.
By remembering AWLQ in your Will, your incredible
gift, whatever size, will transform the lives of One of the things that has impressed them the most
countless animals and give them the second chance is the fact that 90% of the funding goes towards the
they so desperately deserve – now and for many animals, rather than administration.
years to come.
“A significant part in our decision was that AWLQ
We aim to never turn away an animal in need of help. is an organisation we like, we respect, and we feel
With your help, we never will. Leaving a gift in your confident that when we eventually go, whatever we
Will to AWLQ ensures your love for pets lives on. leave behind will go to good use,” said Mardie.

For a confidential discussion call (07) 5509 9099 or “What we leave behind we
email [email protected]. want to make a difference

in the future of animals
with a charity we trust.”

Page 13 - Tawl Tails Spring Edition 2018

Paws at the Park

Paws at the Park is a grassroots outdoor dog market, created by two small business owners Jenna
of Doggie Tea and Hugo’s Ice Creamery and Lia of oodle&co.

From humble beginnings in April 2016, Paws at the Park has quickly grown from a small 20 stall market with 500
attendees to the biggest event of its kind in Australia.
The 2018 event was the biggest yet which saw over 10,000 people and their pets come together at Mudgeeraba
Showgrounds. Once again AWLQ was fortunate to be the Charity Partner and as a result raised over $5900 which will go
directly to the animals in our care. Since 2016 Paws at the Park has raised over $16,500 for AWLQ, we thank Jenna, Lia
and all of the Paws at the Park team for their continued support.

Page 14 - Tawl Tails Winter Edition 2018

THANKYOU TO
OUR CORPORATE

SUPPORTERS

BEAUDESERT - Ph: 07 5541 0187 BFEoCOsMteErA
Shop 1, 15 William St
CARER
BURLEIGH - Ph: 07 5568 7677
Cnr Gold Coast Hwy & Elder St. VISIT AWLQLD.COM.AU
OR CALL 5509 9020
COOMBABAH - Ph: 07 5529 6015
Shop 21, Coombabah Plaza Hansford St BEDCOoMgE A
Kennel
COOMBABAH - Ph: 07 5509 9016 or Cat
Shelter Road, Coombabah
Pen
CURRUMBIN - Ph: 07 5525 0362
2/56 Currumbin Creek Rd SPONSOR

IPSWICH - Ph: 07 3282 9277 VISIT AWLQLD.COM.AU
189 Brisbane St OR CALL 5509 9057

LABRADOR - Ph: 07 5529 2588 Page 15 - Tawl Tails Spring Edition 2018
1/162 Turpin Rd

MIAMI - Ph: 07 5575 2194
Shop 2/10-14 Pacific Ave

MIAMI - Ph: 07 5572 2882
Shop 5/10-14 Pacific Ave

SOUTHPORT - Ph: 07 5591 2728
18B Young St

WORONGARY - Ph: 07 5575 2194
Shop 41, Worongary Town Centre

CAT & HOUND - Ph: 07 5503 1162
18C Young St Southport

ADOPT-A-BOOK
Ashmore Shopping Centre

WAREHOUSE - Ph: 07 5529 1244
Unit C6-239 Brisbane Rd

To arrange the collection
of donated items please

call 5509 9056.