Paws for a Cause: Animal shelter calls for aid
Paws for a Cause: Animal shelter calls for aid
November 2014, m
By Jesse Perrin
Year 12, Mossman State High School
Paws and Claws, the only animal shelter between Mossman and the Northern Beaches, has been struggling recently.
The shelter, currently located on the Captain Cook Highway in Craiglie, is no longer suitable for the growing number of animals accommodating the facility, so the association is desperately trying to raise funds to build a new environmentally friendly shelter, away from the highway that will allow room for 30 animals, a caretaker’s residence, dog boarding kennels, a cattery, car park, reception area and a veterinary clinic.
For a number of years, Paws and Claws have been trying to relocate but unfortunately hasn’t been able to due to lack of funds.
Paws and Claws president, Pauline Halsall says now is the time to expedite a new facility to ensure this community service is retained in the region. Locals who live near the refuge say that the shelter is in an unsuitable location and that the condition it is in is ‘upsetting’.
The shelter has a ‘pro-life’ policy, meaning that no animal is euthanised unless it has attacked another animal or human on numerous occasions and cannot be rehoused, or is suffering from a debilitating illness or injury.
Approximately 120 animals are taken into Paws and Claws each year, with many being rehoused into the local community, however, often the same animals find themselves back in the shelter due to neglect, mistreatment or because the owner is unable to keep it due to other circumstances.
The majority of the breeds of dogs at the shelter are mixed breeds and this has given rise to an unfortunate stereotype, namely, that they are all aggressive and will attack anyone or anything that approaches them.
This is not true - any dog can become aggressive if it is raised in the wrong environment or is trained to fight.
The animals at Paws and Claws are loving and friendly and are in desperate need of a safe and happy home.
A similar situation occurs with the cats at the refuge, where kittens are adopted quickly and the cats often spend years in the shelter, waiting to be adopted.
The cats at the shelter are just as loving and in need of a new home.
There are currently fifteen dogs and sixteen cats waiting for a new home and the association needs public donations in order to care for the animals occupying the shelter.
The shelter spends roughly $2000 a week on food and veterinary bills.
With the help of local donations, Paws and Claws are able to meet these weekly costs.
For those who would prefer to donate time rather than money, there are programs available at the shelter that allow the animals to have human interaction and leave the shelter every now and then.
A popular program at the refuge is ‘the Paw Buddies’ program where anyone that doesn’t have a pet is able to look after a cat or dog as if it were their own without actually taking it home. This is a great option for those who live in units or school aged children who cannot have a pet to adopt and look after an animal without taking it home and can often lead to the adoption of the animal.
To help Paws and Claws meet their goal, my friends and I have been lobbying local schools (including the one I attend), community groups (thank you Mossman Bowls Club for all your support), individuals and government representatives for support. Some local schools have held free dress days, including Mossman State High School, and I would like to thank Cornetts IGA, Port Douglas Costume Hire and Brumby’s for their donations and assistance. The Douglas Shire Council, Mr David Kempton and Mr Warren Entsch have also been of great assistance in helping us.
Anyone can help!
“Stand behind us to support the animals,” says Paws and Claws President, Pauline Halsall - “we’re so close to having a new shelter up and running. We just want to thank everyone in the local community who has supported us.”
Putting any loose change in a Paws and Claws tin, donating at their website (www.pawsandclaws.org.au), walking a dog once a week, donating some of your time at the shelter: every small act makes a difference in the lives of those without a voice."
