Animal shelters throughout Australia are presently playing home to thousands of senior pets. Seniors, so termed because they range in age from approximately two years to fifteen or beyond, are often a second choice to their bouncy, furry and young companions. But animal shelters urge prospective adopters to consider their age an advantage.
Part of the Education team with RSPCA Burwood East, Emma Ginsberg can list a lot of positives about mature-aged pets. “A lot of people come in and want a puppy or a kitten... The way that we do it is we try to encourage somebody to get a more mature animal. They’re a lot more settled, they’re more likely to adjust to a new routine faster, you can leave them at home for longer periods. For a first pet owner... if you take on a baby animal and you don’t know what you’re doing, it can be very full on and difficult.”
Far from being set in their ways, senior pets can respond well to new routines, basic training, and other pets. They’re beyond the manic puppy or kitten stage, and their personalities can be more clearly defined than their junior counterparts.
Senior citizens are advised to consider senior pets when looking to adopt. The pet can match their slower lifestyle, it can be more of a companion dog, or a lap cat, and if a person chooses carefully, they may find a pet with manners from pre-existing training.
Because some of the animals in the RSPCA shelters are strays, it’s not always possible for senior pets to have a complete vaccination and health history. To get them ready for re-homing the clinic updates their shots, microchips, and de-sexes them, and all animals are temperament assessed.
Senior pets makes wonderful, steady companions, and whilst a puppy or kitten may be a tempting alternative, just remember that they only stay that way for a few weeks or months. Consider senior pets when you next want to bring a pet into your home. Some have said that they seem to know they’ve had a second chance.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Changing Perceptions of Shelters
Despite all of the positive press and the educational campaigns, animal shelters still suffer from a stubborn stigma. People continue to shy away from shelters. Animal Attendants at various shelters in Eastern Victoria have reported a degree of reluctance from the public, and many shelters are taking steps to combat this negative impression in the hopes of luring potential adopters to their sites.
The General Manager of the Coldstream Animal Aid shelter, Nell Thompson, explains the problem:
“Whether they think that it’s a very negative place, a very sad place, whether they might want to take them all home... It looks like a jail, it’s noisy. All those sorts of things. We’re trying to change that impression because we definitely feel that our shelter is a very positive place.”
An Education Representative from RSPCA Burwood East, Emma Ginsberg, further discusses the public’s perception:
“A lot of people when they think of a shelter ... think of a jail-type theme, with ... bars. At the moment, however, we are going through a rebuild so ours will be a lot more people-friendly. We’re getting architects to help with the shape design so it’s not going to look just like cages. We’re putting a lot of plants through ... just to make it better on the eye.”
The RSPCA estimates that they will begin this refurbishment within twelve to eighteen months, and that it will be completed within a couple of years. In addition to the adoption rows, the cattery will also be getting a rebuild. These changes will allow the public to walk through, get into the cages, and interact with the animals in a more comfortable and positive setting.
The RSPCA has gone a step further and eliminated the cages completely for any person that is uncomfortable with the environment. Utilising the internet, the RSPCA posts all of its animals on the website, giving the public the chance to see the animals before they come in.
“We can actually bring the animal out to them so they don’t even have to walk through the adoption rows if they don’t want to.” Emma said.
Refurbishments, online profiles and a greater sensitivity towards the public’s perception of shelter environments, means that shelters throughout Australia are fighting to be seen as positive places. When some people think of shelters they think of bars and depression, but raised awareness can help combat these misconceptions, and help the public to embrace shelters for the places they truly are.
The General Manager of the Coldstream Animal Aid shelter, Nell Thompson, explains the problem:
“Whether they think that it’s a very negative place, a very sad place, whether they might want to take them all home... It looks like a jail, it’s noisy. All those sorts of things. We’re trying to change that impression because we definitely feel that our shelter is a very positive place.”
An Education Representative from RSPCA Burwood East, Emma Ginsberg, further discusses the public’s perception:
“A lot of people when they think of a shelter ... think of a jail-type theme, with ... bars. At the moment, however, we are going through a rebuild so ours will be a lot more people-friendly. We’re getting architects to help with the shape design so it’s not going to look just like cages. We’re putting a lot of plants through ... just to make it better on the eye.”
The RSPCA estimates that they will begin this refurbishment within twelve to eighteen months, and that it will be completed within a couple of years. In addition to the adoption rows, the cattery will also be getting a rebuild. These changes will allow the public to walk through, get into the cages, and interact with the animals in a more comfortable and positive setting.
The RSPCA has gone a step further and eliminated the cages completely for any person that is uncomfortable with the environment. Utilising the internet, the RSPCA posts all of its animals on the website, giving the public the chance to see the animals before they come in.
“We can actually bring the animal out to them so they don’t even have to walk through the adoption rows if they don’t want to.” Emma said.
Refurbishments, online profiles and a greater sensitivity towards the public’s perception of shelter environments, means that shelters throughout Australia are fighting to be seen as positive places. When some people think of shelters they think of bars and depression, but raised awareness can help combat these misconceptions, and help the public to embrace shelters for the places they truly are.
It's Not All Dogs and Cats...
When people think about pet adoptions, dogs and cats most commonly come to mind. But all kinds of animals are surrendered to shelters around Australia, including horses, poultry, rabbits and guinea pigs. These animals, the lesser known of their domestic companions, are all in need of homes too.
A representative from the Education Department of the Burwood East RSPCA shelter in Victoria, Emma Ginsberg, spoke about the rabbits and guinea pigs in their care.
“All our animals are temperament assessed and that includes rabbits and guinea pigs ... to make sure that they’re all right for re-homing. All of our animals go through the same process, so even though they’re smaller and not so well known, they still get the same chance as all the other animals here. The amounts that come into adoptions – it would be very rare for us to have to euthanize because they all tend to find homes.”
Emma explains that the RSPCA stresses the importance of these animals being allowed time out of their hutch. “We try to make them more of an indoor pet than an outdoor. We do try to find people that are after a house rabbit or guinea pig. We won’t re-home them if they’re just going to be hutched animals.”
Children will need to come through and meet the animal, and if families already have rabbits or guinea pigs, the RSPCA recommends that they bring them in to see if they will get along with the potential new addition.
It is important that any animal coming into the shelter is up-to-date on its vaccinations, for both the safety of the shelters animals and the visiting one.
Next time you think about adopting a pet, spare a thought for the lesser publicised shelter animals. Rabbits and guinea pigs make excellent pets for children and families, and they’re looking for a second chance, too.
A representative from the Education Department of the Burwood East RSPCA shelter in Victoria, Emma Ginsberg, spoke about the rabbits and guinea pigs in their care.
“All our animals are temperament assessed and that includes rabbits and guinea pigs ... to make sure that they’re all right for re-homing. All of our animals go through the same process, so even though they’re smaller and not so well known, they still get the same chance as all the other animals here. The amounts that come into adoptions – it would be very rare for us to have to euthanize because they all tend to find homes.”
Emma explains that the RSPCA stresses the importance of these animals being allowed time out of their hutch. “We try to make them more of an indoor pet than an outdoor. We do try to find people that are after a house rabbit or guinea pig. We won’t re-home them if they’re just going to be hutched animals.”
Children will need to come through and meet the animal, and if families already have rabbits or guinea pigs, the RSPCA recommends that they bring them in to see if they will get along with the potential new addition.
It is important that any animal coming into the shelter is up-to-date on its vaccinations, for both the safety of the shelters animals and the visiting one.
Next time you think about adopting a pet, spare a thought for the lesser publicised shelter animals. Rabbits and guinea pigs make excellent pets for children and families, and they’re looking for a second chance, too.
People Training
Pet ownership is a very rewarding part of life, but it comes with certain responsibilities. Animal shelters in Victoria have recognised the need for animal education, and the Burwood East RSPCA shelter and the Coldstream Animal Aid shelter have taken positive steps towards helping the public achieve greater levels of understanding towards their pets.
RSPCA Burwood East runs a number of Clinic Information Sessions, some of their previous topics have included Senior Pets and How To Speak Dog Language, and these education programs help the public to better understand their pets’ behaviours and needs.
Emma Ginsberg from the Education Department of the Burwood East RSPCA shelter, Victoria, recommended the sessions for first time pets owners and for anyone thinking about adopting an animal from the shelter. “A lot of people don’t know what they’re getting themselves into, so if they go along to these sessions, they can ask as many questions that they want and they’ll get answers. No matter which session you go to, it comes down to general animal behaviour. If people take animals home and train them incorrectly it’s a lot harder to train bad behaviours away.”
The Animal Aid shelter in Coldstream, Victoria, is presently in a period of change. General Manager Nell Thompson, spoke about the new directions and the facilities that the shelter is looking forward to.
“We’ve launched our education department this year and we’re having a class room installed on site in the next couple of months, and we’ll be running a range of educational programs, from preschool to elderly, to industry... the whole gamut. There’s a lot going on.”
Education can make all the difference between a returned pet that didn’t live up to a new family’s expectations, and a new pet that enjoys a fulfilling, permanent relationship with its new family.
RSPCA Burwood East runs a number of Clinic Information Sessions, some of their previous topics have included Senior Pets and How To Speak Dog Language, and these education programs help the public to better understand their pets’ behaviours and needs.
Emma Ginsberg from the Education Department of the Burwood East RSPCA shelter, Victoria, recommended the sessions for first time pets owners and for anyone thinking about adopting an animal from the shelter. “A lot of people don’t know what they’re getting themselves into, so if they go along to these sessions, they can ask as many questions that they want and they’ll get answers. No matter which session you go to, it comes down to general animal behaviour. If people take animals home and train them incorrectly it’s a lot harder to train bad behaviours away.”
The Animal Aid shelter in Coldstream, Victoria, is presently in a period of change. General Manager Nell Thompson, spoke about the new directions and the facilities that the shelter is looking forward to.
“We’ve launched our education department this year and we’re having a class room installed on site in the next couple of months, and we’ll be running a range of educational programs, from preschool to elderly, to industry... the whole gamut. There’s a lot going on.”
Education can make all the difference between a returned pet that didn’t live up to a new family’s expectations, and a new pet that enjoys a fulfilling, permanent relationship with its new family.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Cats of the Month: Bell and Jewel
The two featured cats for Animal Adoption Awareness this month are Bell and Jewel, two eighteen month old Black Tortie Domestic Short Hairs. Bell and Jewel are presently living at the Animal Aid Cattery and they are looking families to adopt them.
Manager of the Cattery, Lynn Bell, spoke about the pair. “They’re two peas in a pod. They both came in as strays. [Bell] will come and communicate with you, greet you in the morning, but she’s more of a one-on-one-person cat.” Bell needs someone “who’s a bit more cat-savvy, maybe a mature aged person who is happy to have a young friend around.”
"Jewel, she came in as a mamma cat, quite thin, and she had babies with her. She’s quite rotund now ... She’s such a delightful cat, she’s sociable, she’s friendly, she will hang out with any other cat in the place, but she just doesn’t seem to go home.”
Aside from the typical obstacles of being mature-aged cats in a shelter, Bell and Jewel suffer an additional difficulty when it comes to capturing the heart of an adoptee.
“A lot of people don’t like Torties. They don’t like the colours of them, for some reason, they find them quite ugly. Which is a little bit of a shame,” Lynn said.
Bell and Jewel are just two of many cats that need a home. If you, or anyone you know, is interested in adopting a feline friend then visit the Animal Aid website or call the Coldstream shelter on (03) 9739 0300.
The Cattery at Animal Aid in Coldstream begins its Twilight Adoptions today, so potential adopters can visit the cats from 11am to 7pm on Thursdays and Fridays. All other days of the week remain regular opening hours, 11am to 4pm.
Manager of the Cattery, Lynn Bell, spoke about the pair. “They’re two peas in a pod. They both came in as strays. [Bell] will come and communicate with you, greet you in the morning, but she’s more of a one-on-one-person cat.” Bell needs someone “who’s a bit more cat-savvy, maybe a mature aged person who is happy to have a young friend around.”
"Jewel, she came in as a mamma cat, quite thin, and she had babies with her. She’s quite rotund now ... She’s such a delightful cat, she’s sociable, she’s friendly, she will hang out with any other cat in the place, but she just doesn’t seem to go home.”
Aside from the typical obstacles of being mature-aged cats in a shelter, Bell and Jewel suffer an additional difficulty when it comes to capturing the heart of an adoptee.
“A lot of people don’t like Torties. They don’t like the colours of them, for some reason, they find them quite ugly. Which is a little bit of a shame,” Lynn said.
Bell and Jewel are just two of many cats that need a home. If you, or anyone you know, is interested in adopting a feline friend then visit the Animal Aid website or call the Coldstream shelter on (03) 9739 0300.
The Cattery at Animal Aid in Coldstream begins its Twilight Adoptions today, so potential adopters can visit the cats from 11am to 7pm on Thursdays and Fridays. All other days of the week remain regular opening hours, 11am to 4pm.
Dog of the Month: Gypsy
The featured dog for Animal Adoption Awareness this month is Gypsy, a five year old female German Shorthaired Pointer cross. Gypsy has been living at the Coldstream Animal Shelter for almost four weeks now.
Marketing and Public Relations Manager, Debra Boland, spoke about the dog’s background. “[Gypsy] was surrendered to the Sale pound in East Gippsland. We are working together with them now to take their unclaimed and surrendered animals. She was surrendered there and then transferred down to Coldstream.”
Gypsy is part of Animal Aid’s recently implemented “Meet Your Match” program, an initiative aimed at bringing people and dogs together using personality and temperament assessments.
Gypsy is a Green Go-Getter.
“She's very much into everything, pretty social in general, we’ve actually had her with some of the younger dogs teaching them some manners. She’s very outgoing, very confident - but certainly not to be point of being dominant. She’s out to say hi to everyone and wants to be friends," Debra said.
Taking her exuberance into account, Debra recommends that potential families should have children that are five years or over. Gypsy knows her basic commands, she’s a little strong on the lead but staff have reported that she’s getting much better.
“She needs a home. She’s like many of the dogs that we have here. A lot of people think that shelter animals are somehow rejects, or it’s their own fault that they’re here, but in a lot of cases it’s not. They make perfectly good pets. They make perfectly good family members. We really wish people would give them a go!” Debra said.
If you are interested in Gypsy or thinking about adopting a dog into your family, then Gypsy’s profile is available on the Animal Aid website, along with many others waiting for a home. You can call the shelter on (03) 9739 0300, or visit them on the internet at http://www.animalaid.com.au.
Marketing and Public Relations Manager, Debra Boland, spoke about the dog’s background. “[Gypsy] was surrendered to the Sale pound in East Gippsland. We are working together with them now to take their unclaimed and surrendered animals. She was surrendered there and then transferred down to Coldstream.”
Gypsy is part of Animal Aid’s recently implemented “Meet Your Match” program, an initiative aimed at bringing people and dogs together using personality and temperament assessments.
Gypsy is a Green Go-Getter.
“She's very much into everything, pretty social in general, we’ve actually had her with some of the younger dogs teaching them some manners. She’s very outgoing, very confident - but certainly not to be point of being dominant. She’s out to say hi to everyone and wants to be friends," Debra said.
Taking her exuberance into account, Debra recommends that potential families should have children that are five years or over. Gypsy knows her basic commands, she’s a little strong on the lead but staff have reported that she’s getting much better.
“She needs a home. She’s like many of the dogs that we have here. A lot of people think that shelter animals are somehow rejects, or it’s their own fault that they’re here, but in a lot of cases it’s not. They make perfectly good pets. They make perfectly good family members. We really wish people would give them a go!” Debra said.
If you are interested in Gypsy or thinking about adopting a dog into your family, then Gypsy’s profile is available on the Animal Aid website, along with many others waiting for a home. You can call the shelter on (03) 9739 0300, or visit them on the internet at http://www.animalaid.com.au.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Success Stories
Families all over Australia are enjoying the companionship of an animal that they adopted from a shelter. Justin Hedges and Sharon Ackers, two such people that opened their homes to shelter pets, are examples of successful and permanent adoptions.
Five years ago Justin Hedges and his fiancée Emma adopted Gizmo from the Animal Aid Coldstream Cattery. Gizmo was only a kitten at the time and he was very insistent on being picked out of the bunch. Justin had lived close to the shelter for many years prior to the adoption, so it was both awareness and attitude that prompted him to adopt.
“They look after the animals they’ve got. Pet shops just run a business. [Animal Aid] need the money more,” Justin said.
In regards to customer service and assistance from the shelter staff, the Cattery Attendant was “Absolutely fantastic” and Justin would recommend others consider the adoption option.
Six years ago Sharon Ackers and her family adopted Isis from the Malaga RSPCA shelter in Western Australia. Isis was a young kitten and the RSPCA staff were very patient as the family acquainted themselves with her. Sharon chose to adopt because of the awareness campaigns on television describing the high numbers of unwanted litters over the Christmas period.
“The staff were great. They answered any questions we had and they gave us a lot of time with her. When we came back to pick her up Isis had been de-sexed and micro-chipped at the shelter veterinary clinic,” Sharon said.
Based on her positive experience, Sharon would also recommend adopting from an animal shelter.
Five years ago Justin Hedges and his fiancée Emma adopted Gizmo from the Animal Aid Coldstream Cattery. Gizmo was only a kitten at the time and he was very insistent on being picked out of the bunch. Justin had lived close to the shelter for many years prior to the adoption, so it was both awareness and attitude that prompted him to adopt.
“They look after the animals they’ve got. Pet shops just run a business. [Animal Aid] need the money more,” Justin said.
In regards to customer service and assistance from the shelter staff, the Cattery Attendant was “Absolutely fantastic” and Justin would recommend others consider the adoption option.
Six years ago Sharon Ackers and her family adopted Isis from the Malaga RSPCA shelter in Western Australia. Isis was a young kitten and the RSPCA staff were very patient as the family acquainted themselves with her. Sharon chose to adopt because of the awareness campaigns on television describing the high numbers of unwanted litters over the Christmas period.
“The staff were great. They answered any questions we had and they gave us a lot of time with her. When we came back to pick her up Isis had been de-sexed and micro-chipped at the shelter veterinary clinic,” Sharon said.
Based on her positive experience, Sharon would also recommend adopting from an animal shelter.
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