http://www.nipandbones.com/images/products/indoor/cat-furniture/cat-supplies/cth001.jpg
http://www.moderncat.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/CedarScratchers1.jpg
Sunday, 16 June 2013
More Kitty Cat Trees, many made with tree branches
http://www.crazycatcondos.com/rocketcattree.jpg
http://www.nipandbones.com/images/products/indoor/cat-furniture/cat-supplies/cth001.jpg
http://www.nipandbones.com/images/products/indoor/cat-furniture/cat-supplies/cth001.jpg
Monday, 10 June 2013
More cat trees online than you can poke a stick at: LOL!
http://www.ikeahackers.net/2006/08/feline-physique-get-ikea-stolmen-cat.html
http://www.ikeahackers.net/search/label/pet%20furniture
And here's some European designed cat gyms: http://www.cat-world.com.au/forums/index.php?/topic/132583-some-different-cat-trees-things/
Back in Australia now:
http://www.coopsandcages.com.au/cats/cat-scratching-posts/
http://www.dealsdirect.com.au/pet-supplies/cat-scratching-poles-trees/
Here's a wall mountable kitty tree:
http://www.scratchingposts.com.au/?page=products&cat=combos&product=47
http://www.shopbot.com.au/cat-tree/price/australia/36159 These offers change daily as stock runs out and is replaced.
http://www.soldsmart.com.au/l3.aspx?goods=JY2910&cam=32&u=104 These change daily as stock runs out.
Love this climbing tree that attaches to doors - space saving idea http://www.bowhouse.com.au/p/665329/smartcat-cat-climber-.html
Then there's http://www.funkycat.com.au/
and if one can afford European prices plus freight https://www.facebook.com/DrapakiRufi
http://shop.petfun.de/en/kratzbaeume/grosse-kratzbaeume/joy.html
http://www.katzen-deko.de/mobile/smartphone/kratzbaum-holz/kratzbaum--monte-carlo-175cm-----scratching-pole--.php
and from the UK http://tiggatowers.com/collections/complete-poles
Saturday, 4 May 2013
New ad placed on Gumtree today for the Gold Coast area - NDN vouchers
250,000 pet cats and dogs (mostly dsh cats and staffy dogs) were killed in council pounds and RSPCA/LostDogsHome shelters in Australia last year. Help stop the killing. DESEX!
Gold Coast City Council (Qld) are currently offering subsidised desexing of CATS to their residents. (Scroll to the bottom to read about DOG vouchers)
You can have your first female cat desexed for $40, subsequent females for $25 and all male cats for $25.
You need to hold a concession card (health care, pension or disability pension) or be a low income earner to qualify.
These vouchers are not available on line so you need to contact us on 1300 368 992. This offer is only for Gold Coast residents.
We would like to thank the Gold Coast City Council for their continued support of this program.
If you do not live on the Gold Coast, please contact your local Council and encourage them to organise a subsidised desexing program.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/National-Desexing-Network/82457422697
http://www.ndn.org.au
You can obtain information and vouchers for reduced cost desexing for DOGS here: http://www.ndn.org.au/apply-for-low-cost-desexing.html Contact us on 1300 368 992 for a quote - please provide your dog's approximate weight, size and sex.
The AWL at Coombabah also provides pet desexing at a lower fee compared to private vets. http://www.awlqld.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/AWLQ-Community-Vet-Clinic-Schedule-of-Services.pdf
NDN is a nationwide referral system for low cost desexing. NDN is a charitable program funded through the generosity of members of the public. The only beneficiaries of the program are Australia's cats and dogs.
Mission:
Our goal is to make desexing more affordable to those who might not otherwise be in a position to desex their pets.
Gold Coast City Council (Qld) are currently offering subsidised desexing of CATS to their residents. (Scroll to the bottom to read about DOG vouchers)
You can have your first female cat desexed for $40, subsequent females for $25 and all male cats for $25.
You need to hold a concession card (health care, pension or disability pension) or be a low income earner to qualify.
These vouchers are not available on line so you need to contact us on 1300 368 992. This offer is only for Gold Coast residents.
We would like to thank the Gold Coast City Council for their continued support of this program.
If you do not live on the Gold Coast, please contact your local Council and encourage them to organise a subsidised desexing program.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/National-Desexing-Network/82457422697
http://www.ndn.org.au
You can obtain information and vouchers for reduced cost desexing for DOGS here: http://www.ndn.org.au/apply-for-low-cost-desexing.html Contact us on 1300 368 992 for a quote - please provide your dog's approximate weight, size and sex.
The AWL at Coombabah also provides pet desexing at a lower fee compared to private vets. http://www.awlqld.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/AWLQ-Community-Vet-Clinic-Schedule-of-Services.pdf
NDN is a nationwide referral system for low cost desexing. NDN is a charitable program funded through the generosity of members of the public. The only beneficiaries of the program are Australia's cats and dogs.
Mission:
Our goal is to make desexing more affordable to those who might not otherwise be in a position to desex their pets.
New ad placed on Gumtree for Brisbane - National Desexing Network vouchers
Today's updated wording on the newly placed Gumtree ad for the National Desexing Network
NDN is a nationwide referral system for low cost desexing. NDN is a charitable program funded through the generosity of members of the public. The only beneficiaries of the program are Australia's cats and dogs.
Mission:
Our goal is to make desexing more affordable to those who might not otherwise be in a position to desex their pets.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/National-Desexing-Network/82457422697
http://www.ndn.org.au
You can obtain information and vouchers for reduced cost desexing for dogs and cats here: http://www.ndn.org.au/apply-for-low-cost-desexing.html
There are set fees for all male or female cats starting at $45 (the NDN pays the balance).
Fees vary according to the size and weight of your dog as well as if it is male or female. Ring toll free on 1 300 368 992 for more information and a quote for your out-of-pocket desexing costs (the NDN pays the balance).
The AWL clinics, if you live near one, also provides pet desexing at a lower fee compared to private vets and you can use NDN vouchers at AWL clinics as well as other local vet clinics.
Over 250,000 pet cats and dogs were killed in council pounds and RSPCA/LostDogsHome shelters in Australia last year, mainly dsh cats and staffy-type dogs. Help stop the killing. DESEX! Adopt desexed pets from Rescue Organisations and No-Kill Shelters.
NDN is a nationwide referral system for low cost desexing. NDN is a charitable program funded through the generosity of members of the public. The only beneficiaries of the program are Australia's cats and dogs.
Mission:
Our goal is to make desexing more affordable to those who might not otherwise be in a position to desex their pets.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/National-Desexing-Network/82457422697
http://www.ndn.org.au
You can obtain information and vouchers for reduced cost desexing for dogs and cats here: http://www.ndn.org.au/apply-for-low-cost-desexing.html
There are set fees for all male or female cats starting at $45 (the NDN pays the balance).
Fees vary according to the size and weight of your dog as well as if it is male or female. Ring toll free on 1 300 368 992 for more information and a quote for your out-of-pocket desexing costs (the NDN pays the balance).
The AWL clinics, if you live near one, also provides pet desexing at a lower fee compared to private vets and you can use NDN vouchers at AWL clinics as well as other local vet clinics.
Over 250,000 pet cats and dogs were killed in council pounds and RSPCA/LostDogsHome shelters in Australia last year, mainly dsh cats and staffy-type dogs. Help stop the killing. DESEX! Adopt desexed pets from Rescue Organisations and No-Kill Shelters.
Thursday, 2 May 2013
Sample Letter to send to councils, MP's (example is for Blacktown pound but you can change it to suite the area)
Sample letter to Councils, MPs etc
[Council address]
[Date]
Dear Chief Executive Officer/Councillor ………………,
I am a [rate payer/ member of the local community] serviced by [Council name].
As an animal lover [and a responsible pet owner,] I am interested in learning Council's views on the current over supply of companion animals in Australia, and what Council is intending to do to assist in addressing this issue.
I understand, for instance, that Sydney's biggest pound, the Blacktown Animal Holding Facility, [to which I understand Council sends animals] has a very high kill rate. In particular, the number of cats entering the pound has increased by over 163% in the period 2003-2011, and the number of cats being killed by that pound has increased by over 155% within the same period. I also understand that over 3,200 cats were killed in 2011 in Blacktown Pound, and that this figure is highly likely to increase in coming years.
It appears to me that killing all of these cats has not reduced the numbers entering the pound. It also seems to me that killing cats, and also unwanted dogs, is not the solution to the problem of the current oversupply of companion animals Australia is experiencing.
In light of this and my personal concerns about the situation, I request Council to provide me with the following information:
1. a copy of the statistics for the last 5 years for [the pound to which Council sends animals, unless they are a BAHF Council]. I request that these statistics include information about the
numbers of animals entering the pound and how they exited, including by sale direct from the pound; via a rescue organisation; or because they were killed.
2. a copy of Council's policies on microchipping and registering of animals, and low cost desexing of animals, including information about how the community may access these services.
3. information about how Council specifically intends to get to zero euthanasia of healthy and treatable abandoned cats and dogs within Council's city.
I would be pleased to receive this information within 3 weeks of the date of this letter.
Please provide this information to me using the contact details below:
[contact details].
I look forward to your early response.
Yours sincerely
[Name in full]
[Council address]
[Date]
Dear Chief Executive Officer/Councillor ………………,
I am a [rate payer/ member of the local community] serviced by [Council name].
As an animal lover [and a responsible pet owner,] I am interested in learning Council's views on the current over supply of companion animals in Australia, and what Council is intending to do to assist in addressing this issue.
I understand, for instance, that Sydney's biggest pound, the Blacktown Animal Holding Facility, [to which I understand Council sends animals] has a very high kill rate. In particular, the number of cats entering the pound has increased by over 163% in the period 2003-2011, and the number of cats being killed by that pound has increased by over 155% within the same period. I also understand that over 3,200 cats were killed in 2011 in Blacktown Pound, and that this figure is highly likely to increase in coming years.
It appears to me that killing all of these cats has not reduced the numbers entering the pound. It also seems to me that killing cats, and also unwanted dogs, is not the solution to the problem of the current oversupply of companion animals Australia is experiencing.
In light of this and my personal concerns about the situation, I request Council to provide me with the following information:
1. a copy of the statistics for the last 5 years for [the pound to which Council sends animals, unless they are a BAHF Council]. I request that these statistics include information about the
numbers of animals entering the pound and how they exited, including by sale direct from the pound; via a rescue organisation; or because they were killed.
2. a copy of Council's policies on microchipping and registering of animals, and low cost desexing of animals, including information about how the community may access these services.
3. information about how Council specifically intends to get to zero euthanasia of healthy and treatable abandoned cats and dogs within Council's city.
I would be pleased to receive this information within 3 weeks of the date of this letter.
Please provide this information to me using the contact details below:
[contact details].
I look forward to your early response.
Yours sincerely
[Name in full]
Friday, 26 April 2013
Wording for ad to place on Gumtree promoting the National Desexing Network and affordable desexing for those on low incomes.
*Please copy and paste this wording into Gumtree ads for your own area.*
NDN is a nationwide referral system for low cost desexing. NDN is a charitable program funded through the generosity of members of the public. The only beneficiaries of the program are Australia's cats and dogs.
Mission:
Our goal is to make desexing more affordable to those who might not otherwise be in a position to desex their pets.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/National-Desexing-Network/82457422697
http://www.ndn.org.au
You can obtain information and vouchers for reduced cost desexing for dogs and cats here: http://www.ndn.org.au/apply-for-low-cost-desexing.html
CATS: There are set fees for male or female cats - costs vary in each state: ring to find the subsidy available for your area and know what your exact out-of-pocket costs will be.
DOGS: Fees vary according to the size (Large or small) and weight (over or under 15kg / 25kg) of your dog as well as if it is male or female. Costs vary in each state. Ring and provide details of your dogs sex and weight, and ask for a quote for your out-of-pocket desexing costs.
The AWL clinics, if you live near one, also provides pet desexing at a lower fee compared to private vets.
Over 250,000 pet cats and dogs were killed in council pounds and RSPCA/LostDogsHome shelters in Australia last year. Help stop the killing. DESEX! Adopt desexed pets from Rescue Organisations and No-Kill Shelters.
Saturday, 20 April 2013
Chronic dysthmic disorder
I'm surprised I'm still alive, to be honest.
Here's some info about my diagnosis obtained in 2002:
http://www.depressionplace.com/dysthymia.html
http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/chronic-depression-dysthymia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dysthymia
"According to the DSM's definition of dysthymia, it is a serious state of chronic depression, which persists for at least 2 years; it is less acute and severe than major depressive disorder.[3] As dysthymia is a chronic disorder, sufferers may experience symptoms for many years before it is diagnosed, if diagnosis occurs at all. As a result, they may believe that depression is a part of their character, so they may not even discuss their symptoms with doctors, family members, or friends."
Yes, that's me - mildly depressed between bouts of severe depression and anxiety.
It's hard to write about it and to remember the experimenting with medication, the way I have been treated by my family (childhood abuse, neglect, sexual abuse) and my ex-husband (violence, abuse, psychological abuse). There was a drawn out family court process in which my ex, who had abandoned us all so he could go partying with his 19 year old mistress, used every lie he could in order to hurt me and try to take the children from my care by claiming I had neglected them (I hadn't). The last time I had a severe episode was when my father died in combination with family feuding over his estate and a boyfriend who dumped me to run off with his ex while I was attending Dad's funeral interstate. I wanted to die as the world was a bleak place. I hung on for my children as I didn't want them to grow up motherless and to be hurt if I abandoned them but I wasn't living, was just existing.
Then there came the tropical fish we were given in 2012 which kept me busy - their very water quality depending on me: I had to drag myself out of bed and take care of them. They are beautiful but then someone couldn't take care of their ragdoll kitten and gave her to me... then I decided to foster cats so that she wouldn't be lonely and I could help save some lives.
Those animals, they saved my life. Not the other way around.
I still have bad days and will do for the rest of my life - that's the nature of my mental illness. Medication takes the sharp edges off life but I have a disease that makes life pretty dreary and pointless at times. But the cats in my home as well as the ones I can't directly help, they have given me purpose.
This is patchy and without chronological reference but it's the best I can do for now. Remembering how much I wanted to die to turn off my relentless pain is not a fun process. But the days now are much more sunny and full of purring and playing and the pitter patter of little paws. I rely on them more than they rely on me.
Fostering unwanted kitties saved my life.
Ads placed on local Facebook Buy-Sell-Swap Groups - please copy and paste them onto your own local groups
REWORDED GENERIC DESEXING AD FOR ANY FB GROUPS:
LOW COST DESEXING OF PET KITTENS/CATS AND PUPPIES/DOGS!
250,000 unclaimed kittens/cats and puppies/dogs were killed at Australian pounds and shelters last year. Don't let your cat or dog add to the number of unwanted pets killed annually: DESEX YOUR PETS!! The National Desexing Network will help find a veterinarian in your area who will desex your pet at a reduced fee if you have a concession card or are on a low income and can't afford to desex your pet. If you have more than one cat or dog please ensure you fill in a separate voucher for each one.
If you do not hold a pension, concession or healthcare card showing a CRN number please contact us on 1 300 368 992.
The National Desexing Network is a charity aiming to assist those on low incomes to desex their pets so that the pet has a long, healthy life and no more unwanted puppies or kittens end up being killed at the local pound.
http://www.ndn.org.au/apply-for-low-cost-desexing.html
DESEX YOUR PETS! ADOPT DESEXED PETS FROM POUNDS, SHELTERS AND RESCUES! SAVE A LIFE!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REWORDED GENERIC FOSTERING AD FOR ANY FB BUY-SELL-SWAP GROUPS
URGENT: FOSTER CARERS NEEDED TO HELP SAVE LIVES OF CATS AND DOGS ON DEATH ROW AT THE POUND
Our rescue group takes pets from the pound, places them in foster care so they can experience a normal family life outside a small pound cage, does the desex-vaccination-microchipping vetwork when they are the right age and fit, and advertise them to find a suitable forever home.
250,000 unwanted, unclaimed kittens/cats and puppies/dogs were killed last year in Australian pounds and shelters. You can save a life by adopting a rehabilitated death row pet from rescue groups or if you can't adopt, FOSTER! [insert a link to your rescue group's fostering application form here].
LOW COST DESEXING OF PET KITTENS/CATS AND PUPPIES/DOGS!
250,000 unclaimed kittens/cats and puppies/dogs were killed at Australian pounds and shelters last year. Don't let your cat or dog add to the number of unwanted pets killed annually: DESEX YOUR PETS!! The National Desexing Network will help find a veterinarian in your area who will desex your pet at a reduced fee if you have a concession card or are on a low income and can't afford to desex your pet. If you have more than one cat or dog please ensure you fill in a separate voucher for each one.
If you do not hold a pension, concession or healthcare card showing a CRN number please contact us on 1 300 368 992.
The National Desexing Network is a charity aiming to assist those on low incomes to desex their pets so that the pet has a long, healthy life and no more unwanted puppies or kittens end up being killed at the local pound.
http://www.ndn.org.au/apply-for-low-cost-desexing.html
DESEX YOUR PETS! ADOPT DESEXED PETS FROM POUNDS, SHELTERS AND RESCUES! SAVE A LIFE!
DESEX CATS FROM $25 - Gold Coast City Council (Qld) are still offering discount
desexing of cats to their residents. You can have your first female cat desexed
for $40, subsequent females for $25 and male cats for $25. You need to hold a
concession card (health care, pension or disability pension) or be a low income
earner to qualify. These vouchers are not available on line so you need to
contact us on 1300 368 992. This offer is only for Gold Coast residents.
We would like to thank the Gold Coast City Council for their continued support
of this program.
If you do not live on the Gold Coast, please contact your local Council and
encourage them to organise a subsidised desexing program.
https://www.facebook.com/
250,000 unclaimed cats and dogs were killed in Australian pounds last year as
nobody wanted them. Just last week one local pound killed 8 x five week old
kittens as the pound was overcrowded., PLEASE PLEASE desex your kittens and
cats, and don't breed from them. Gold Coast City Council (Qld) are still offering
discount desexing of cats to their residents. You can have your first female cat
desexed for $40, subsequent females for $25 and male cats for $25. You need
to hold a concession card (health care, pension or disability pension) or be a
low income earner to qualify. These vouchers are not available on line so you
need to contact us on 1300 368 992. This offer is only for Gold Coast residents.
We would like to thank the Gold Coast City Council for their continued support
of this program.
If you do not live on the Gold Coast, please contact your local C
ouncil and encourage them to organise a subsidised desexing program.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/National-Desexing-Network/82457422697?fref=ts
URGENT foster carers are needed for rescue groups which get death row pets
from the pound and gives them a chance to find a forever home. You can save
a life! Desex your pets or if you are looking for a new pet, ADOPT lovely pets
(healthy and all vet work completed) from shelters and rescues!
https://www.facebook.com/
LOW COST DESEXING OF PET KITTENS/CATS AND PUPPIES/DOGS!
250,000 unclaimed kittens/cats and puppies/dogs were killed at Australian pounds and shelters last year. Don't let your cat or dog add to the number of unwanted pets killed annually: DESEX YOUR PETS!! The National Desexing Network will help find a veterinarian in your area who will desex your pet at a reduced fee if you have a concession card or are on a low income and can't afford to desex your pet. If you have more than one cat or dog please ensure you fill in a separate voucher for each one.
If you do not hold a pension, concession or healthcare card showing a CRN number please contact us on 1 300 368 992.
The National Desexing Network is a charity aiming to assist those on low incomes to desex their pets so that the pet has a long, healthy life and no more unwanted puppies or kittens end up being killed at the local pound.
http://www.ndn.org.au/apply-for-low-cost-desexing.html
DESEX YOUR PETS! ADOPT DESEXED PETS FROM POUNDS, SHELTERS AND RESCUES! SAVE A LIFE!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REWORDED GENERIC FOSTERING AD FOR ANY FB BUY-SELL-SWAP GROUPS
URGENT: FOSTER CARERS NEEDED TO HELP SAVE LIVES OF CATS AND DOGS ON DEATH ROW AT THE POUND
Our rescue group takes pets from the pound, places them in foster care so they can experience a normal family life outside a small pound cage, does the desex-vaccination-microchipping vetwork when they are the right age and fit, and advertise them to find a suitable forever home.
250,000 unwanted, unclaimed kittens/cats and puppies/dogs were killed last year in Australian pounds and shelters. You can save a life by adopting a rehabilitated death row pet from rescue groups or if you can't adopt, FOSTER! [insert a link to your rescue group's fostering application form here].
LOW COST DESEXING OF PET KITTENS/CATS AND PUPPIES/DOGS!
250,000 unclaimed kittens/cats and puppies/dogs were killed at Australian pounds and shelters last year. Don't let your cat or dog add to the number of unwanted pets killed annually: DESEX YOUR PETS!! The National Desexing Network will help find a veterinarian in your area who will desex your pet at a reduced fee if you have a concession card or are on a low income and can't afford to desex your pet. If you have more than one cat or dog please ensure you fill in a separate voucher for each one.
If you do not hold a pension, concession or healthcare card showing a CRN number please contact us on 1 300 368 992.
The National Desexing Network is a charity aiming to assist those on low incomes to desex their pets so that the pet has a long, healthy life and no more unwanted puppies or kittens end up being killed at the local pound.
http://www.ndn.org.au/apply-for-low-cost-desexing.html
DESEX YOUR PETS! ADOPT DESEXED PETS FROM POUNDS, SHELTERS AND RESCUES! SAVE A LIFE!
DESEX CATS FROM $25 - Gold Coast City Council (Qld) are still offering discount
desexing of cats to their residents. You can have your first female cat desexed
for $40, subsequent females for $25 and male cats for $25. You need to hold a
concession card (health care, pension or disability pension) or be a low income
earner to qualify. These vouchers are not available on line so you need to
contact us on 1300 368 992. This offer is only for Gold Coast residents.
We would like to thank the Gold Coast City Council for their continued support
of this program.
If you do not live on the Gold Coast, please contact your local Council and
encourage them to organise a subsidised desexing program.
https://www.facebook.com/
250,000 unclaimed cats and dogs were killed in Australian pounds last year as
nobody wanted them. Just last week one local pound killed 8 x five week old
kittens as the pound was overcrowded., PLEASE PLEASE desex your kittens and
cats, and don't breed from them. Gold Coast City Council (Qld) are still offering
discount desexing of cats to their residents. You can have your first female cat
desexed for $40, subsequent females for $25 and male cats for $25. You need
to hold a concession card (health care, pension or disability pension) or be a
low income earner to qualify. These vouchers are not available on line so you
need to contact us on 1300 368 992. This offer is only for Gold Coast residents.
We would like to thank the Gold Coast City Council for their continued support
of this program.
If you do not live on the Gold Coast, please contact your local C
ouncil and encourage them to organise a subsidised desexing program.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/National-Desexing-Network/82457422697?fref=ts
URGENT foster carers are needed for rescue groups which get death row pets
from the pound and gives them a chance to find a forever home. You can save
a life! Desex your pets or if you are looking for a new pet, ADOPT lovely pets
(healthy and all vet work completed) from shelters and rescues!
https://www.facebook.com/
Monday, 15 April 2013
Seniors for Seniors programs and info
Senior pets can be paired with senior members of our communities - with some support from volunteers.
Elderly people can become forgetful - it's part of ageing for so many humans - however with assistance they can enjoy the love and companionship of a healthy senior pet!
*
Animal Aid is encouraging senior citizens to keep a pet in their life as long as they can. Research shows that senior citizens reap significant health benefits associated with pet ownership, including lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which in turn, reduces the risk of heart disease.
Seniors with pets tend to visit the doctor less often than non-pet owners and have improved longevity. Evidence also shows that the care and attention required by pets helps seniors to stay more active and healthier. Pets also establish routines and create a variety of opportunities for social interactions.
Animal Aid is encouraging senior citizens to keep a pet in their life as long as they can. Research shows that senior citizens reap significant health benefits associated with pet ownership, including lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which in turn, reduces the risk of heart disease.
Seniors with pets tend to visit the doctor less often than non-pet owners and have improved longevity. Evidence also shows that the care and attention required by pets helps seniors to stay more active and healthier. Pets also establish routines and create a variety of opportunities for social interactions.
- Lower blood pressure
- Reduced cardiovascular disease
- Reduced feelings of stress
- Lower cholesterol levels
- improved overall health means fewer doctor appointments
- Increased sense of responsibility and alertness
- Reduced sense of loneliness
- Increased activity during the day
- Increased fun!
*
Senior pets have many advantages making them the perfect family pet. Seniors have developed their own character, are house trained, need less exercise, less excitable and are often a good match for homes with existing pets. Many older animals are well socialised and are aware of what it means to be part of a ‘pack’. If matched well, a senior pet will take no time fitting into the existing family dynamic.
*
Little Paws has recently launched it’s new look ‘Seniors for Seniors’ Program.
Traditionally most families want a kitten so the adults often get overlooked. There are many great cats with loving personalities, very easy to manage and desperate for someone to show them love and affection.
The goal of ‘Seniors for Seniors’ is to match people who are eligible for the program with a loving adult cat that we have waiting to find a safe home. Seniors living in our community tell us they are often fearful to take on the commitment as they know their circumstances may change due to the health conditions or that veterinary costs could be prohibitive for them getting the right care for their cat when needed.
*
Leading animal welfare organisation, Animal Aid, is launching their innovative initiative called ‘Seniors for Seniors'. This program is designed to nurture pet ownership amongst senior citizens by matching them with older pets proving that age is no barrier to finding happiness.
*
In addition, pets appear to provide a sense of consistency in a rapidly changing world, and may reinforce feelings of self-sufficiency, dependability and optimism with their owners. Above all, pets offer their owners unconditional love and attention, regardless of how old the owner is, how grey his or her hair is, or how wealthy or poor the individual might be.
Pet ownership among seniors can also act as a therapeutic agent that allows individuals to escape stress and concentrate on something other than the challenges that face them in their daily lives. This release can have a considerable impact on overall health and well-being. A 1990 UCLA study showed that pet ownership could actually improve overall health and reduce the time a senior individual spends in a doctor’s office. A subsequent study by Alan Beck, Director of the Center of Animal-Human Bond at Purdue University indicated that pet ownership can act as a health enhancer for seniors by:
Pets can also act as “’social lubricants” for seniors, who may not be outgoing individuals by nature. Pet owners are often attracted to one another, and the topic of their pets frequently breaks the ice and starts discussions.
Adopting a senior pet can often open a new world for seniors. To find out how to adopt senior animals in our area, contact your local animal shelter.
*
There's no question that pet adoption can be good for some seniors.
The benefits are well-documented:
“It was a win-win,” says Priestley. “My mom had purpose caring for another, and Bo’s life was saved. She got love and a wonderful home.”
That match prompted Priestley, a long-time animal rescue advocate, to launch “SENIORS FOR SENIORS – pets & people,” a Facebook group dedicated to helping senior pets and the senior people find a way to comfort and support one another.
In just two months, the group has over 450 members. Some seniors have adopted mature cats and dogs, outright. But all sorts of connections have been made. One senior was willing to foster a 13-year-old German Shepherd named Lola, but was looking for help to support the dog. Seniors for Seniors linked her with three members who could not house an additional pet but were each willing to pay $10 per month for the rest of Lola’s life, living with her new owner.
Other options include fostering a senior pet, until they find a home or making a financial pledge until a home can be found.
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"If you're willing to give our cats or dogs aged 7 years+ a loving home and lifetime commitment, there will be no fee to adopt!
At seven, life is only just beginning. Whether it’s having a Sunday sleep in or frolic in the park, make no mistake - senior animals have years of love, life and devotion to give to very lucky owners.
RSPCA vet clinics also support the care of our furry senior friends. Senior pets adopted from the RSPCA receive a 25% discount on consultation fee at theRSPCA's Burwood East and Peninsula vet clinics for the entire life of the pet! "
RSPCA vet clinics also support the care of our furry senior friends. Senior pets adopted from the RSPCA receive a 25% discount on consultation fee at theRSPCA's Burwood East and Peninsula vet clinics for the entire life of the pet!
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Great searchable site for the US - can be replicated for Australia.
Sunday, 14 April 2013
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