Open hearts to furry friends
Tuesday October 8 2013
Locals raising funds for furry friends
With more than 33 million pets nationwide, Australia boasts one of the highest pet ownership rates in the world and Douglas pet owners could lay claim to being some of the most generous.
The current premises of Craiglie’s Paws and Claws animal refuge are up for sale and locals are pitching in with novel approaches to help raise funds to build a new facility.
Well-known to Douglas residents, Paws and Claws has served the community for the past 14 years. Every year, about 120 lost, abused, injured or neglected dogs and cats are taken in, cared for and rehoused.
Many locals have bought a Paws and Claws rescue, boarded a pet, acted as a Paws Buddy, or supported and donated to the cause. So far, the refuge has $420,000 in “promised” funds for the new facility, but is seeking investors, benefactors and sponsors to help raise what’s still needed.
Mossman resident Kylie-Jane Tull is among the big-hearted, animal-loving locals keen to help.
As well as her Mossman travel agency, Ms Tull owns two dogs, two cats, and a horse.
“I heard about the Paws and Claws situation and I really, really love animals,” she said, “I was thinking, ‘What can I do to help them?'"
For travel booked through her agency, Travel Counsellors, Ms Tull said she will donate $10 for domestic travel including some sort of land content, $20 for international travel, and $50 for any cruise booking of seven nights or more.
“I don't want to see them shut down and the animals with nowhere to go,” Ms Tull said.
“It would be nice to try and help them raise a bit of money and it’d be really good if a lot of businesses did something.”
Port Douglas resident Jeremy Lebeuf plans to use the Great Barrier Reef Half Marathon on November 3 as a cause fundraiser.
The fitness manager at QT Resort pledged to run the full 42km Steve Moneghetti Marathon if he could raise at least $500 in donations before October 5. If not, he would run the Half.
“I am very happy to say that the $500 was raised within a few days of starting the fundraising drive,” Mr Lebeuf told The Newsport.
“There are still a few donations trickling through from locals, and as of now I believe we have raised about $800.
“This cause is very important to my wife and I, as we have adopted a wonderful family member, [dog] Buddy, from Paws and Claws, and we’ve been volunteering there for years.
“Buddy was born at the refuge, and though he recently turned three, everything is so new to him that he is very puppy-like. It’s a joy for us to be able to give him a home and the love that all beings - two- or four-legged – deserve.”
Despite the impressive early fundraising effort, he said his pre-race fundraising goal is still far off.
“I have teamed up with QT resort to help raise funds; everyone who donates to my cause will go into the draw to win a SPA Q voucher for two. QT is equally passionate about giving back to the refuge,” he said.
Mr Lebeuf said his marathon training is coming along smoothly, including beach runs with Buddy.
“The carers at Paws and Claws are very passionate and patient, and truly want and need the opportunity to provide the animals with the best life they can. That’s why it’s so important that the organisation has the funds available by their deadline to build a new facility.
“Buddy has given us plenty of joy. I just want to be able to give back to this special organisation and Buddy's mates.”
For more information on how to become a Paws and Claws contributor, contact Treasurer Deb Maguire on 0405 928 430, or email info@pawsandclaws.org.au.