With the recent pandemic, many of us are in the same boat when it comes to wanting to take a holiday. 

Your dog may also be feeling the pressure. 

Whether you have been in lockdown or working from home, it is likely that your pet has noticed the change and they too need a break. So, why not consider planning a holiday where your pet can come along with you? 

Taking your dog camping is a fantastic option. Anyone who loves dogs knows that they love the great outdoors and exploring new places as much as we do.

If you've never taken a dog camping before, there are a few things to consider before you go. Written by Veterinary Nurse Leah Eichner, this short guide will get you well on your way to planning a pet safe trip that will have your dog's tail wagging and their tongue hanging out sideways!

Plan Well

When planning your trip, make sure you choose a camp area that is "dog-friendly". Not all camp grounds accept dogs and you can get slapped with a fine for taking them to dog free areas. There is a lot of information online that can help you here. There are also some great apps available that allow you to put filters in and help you find great spots. If you are booking at a caravan park, make sure you let your host know that you're bringing a dog.

Phone and internet reception is often poor, sometimes non-existent at campsites. Before you go, look up how far the nearest veterinary clinic is from your camp area. It is also wise to jot down their contact details and address in case you need it in a hurry. Calling the clinic to find out if they provide an after-hours service is wise. Hopefully, by continuing to read this article the chances of you needing this information will be slim but it's best to be safe.

If your dog is used to car rides and outdoor adventures, taking them camping is going to be less stressful than taking a dog who doesn't often leave home. If your dog is young or simply a newbie to these experiences, you may need to ease them into it. Taking inexperienced pets on short trips (one or two nights) and short car rides (an hour or so from home) to begin with, will allow them to get used to it.

Safety

Let's consider the car ride. It is the law in Australia that all pets must be suitably restrained when riding in a motor vehicle. Don't consider this just because it is the law. Having an excited dog walking all over the seats or over you, while you're driving, is undoubtedly dangerous. Dog harnesses that double as a car restraint are relatively inexpensive and are a great solution.

Having control of your pet in and outside the car is, by far, the most important thing you can do to keep your pet safe while camping. It should also be the most obvious and simplest thing to do. Believe it or not, veterinary clinics around Australia, still see dogs almost every day with injuries because they weren't on a lead or because another pet wasn't on a lead.

Make sure your pet is restrained on a strong, reliable leash and collar. It may save an expensive, emergency vet visit caused by any of the following:

• Snake bite - stops your dog from romping through areas that snakes like to hide
• Dog fight - stops your dog from entering other campsites and approaching other dogs
• Burns - stops your pet from getting too close to the campfire
• Eating foreign objects - if your pet is on a lead, generally you can see what they are sniffing and eating. Rubbish left over by previous campers and other toxins that may harm your pet are commonly found around campsites.
• Harassing wildlife - part of our responsibility while camping is to look out for our native wildlife. Keeping your pet away from them is important for their own safety and for the native animals.

After snake bite and dog fights, the next biggest health risk for the camping pooch is tick paralysis. When a dog has visited Aussie bushland and presents to the veterinary clinic collapsed and displaying neurological signs. Ticks are normally at the top of the differential list.

Paralysis tick can be deadly. They are quite common all the way along the East Coast of Australia. They live in bushy areas, which are more often than not, the same areas that we like to go camping. Having your pet on parasite prevention that protects against ticks, is the only way to be sure your dog won't end up with tick paralysis. There are a few good options when it comes to prevention. Your local veterinary clinic can help you choose the right one.

While you are there, make sure your dog's vaccinations are up to date and ask for a certificate. If you are taking your pet to a caravan park, you may be asked to provide proof that your dog's vaccination is up to date.

Comfort

All dogs like to have a comfortable spot to sleep. Bringing your own dog's bed is a great idea. Along with comfort, it will provide them with something familiar, this helps many dogs relax.

There are lots of options when it comes to dog beds, even some which are designed for camping. If you buy them a new bed for camping, allow them to use it at home for a while. This will give them time to get used to it before taking it camping.

Bringing your dog's normal food and their own bowls can also help them feel more at ease. If you have a time of day you normally feed them, stick to it while camping. Again, this will feel familiar to your dog and help them relax.

While we camp, we tend to cook ourselves easy foods, like barbeques. Although, it can be tempting to throw our furred friends a sausage or a bit of fat off the end of our bacon, try to avoid it. Feeding different foods and fatty human food could upset your dog's digestive system. Having a dog with gastrointestinal upset is never fun. If they develop vomiting or diarrhoea while out camping, it is sure to put a downer on your trip!

Finally, make sure your pet is secure, particularly at night. Some people choose to use light portable fencing to make an area for them. Others choose to have them inside the tent, caravan or camper with them. Ensuring your pet's security at night will reduce stress levels all round, making sure you and your pooch get a good night's sleep.

Camping with Dogs - Check List

Here is a list you can check before you and your dog head off for fresher air and fun times.

Your Camping Essentials:

✔️ Car restraint
✔️ Parasite prevention
✔️ Vaccination
✔️ Local Vet Contact Information
✔️ Lead and collar
✔️ Comfortable bed
✔️ Dog food
✔️ Food and water bowl
✔️ Fresh drinking water (for you and them)
✔️ Dog Poo Bags
✔️ Dog First Aid Kit (Yes, they are a thing. Ask your vet.)

Great Ideas:

✔️ Dog life jacket
✔️ Portable dog fence or crate
✔️ Dog safe insect repellent (ask your vet)

✔️ Dog coat (if you are visiting cold areas)

✔️ Favourite toy
✔️ Tie out stake and cable
✔️ Collapsible dog bowl
✔️ Water or floating toy (if your dog likes to play water fetch and it is safe to do so)
✔️ Boredom buster toy (those you can add their food to are great)
✔️ Collar lights (for night time) 

With all of this covered, it won't be long until you are sitting by the campfire with your best friend by your side, enjoying together the best of what our great country has to offer.

written by Leah Eichner, Veterinary Nurse & Freelance Writer, October 2021 for Australian Dog Lover

Related Topics:

Top Spots for Dog-Friendly Camping

25 Dog-Friendly Campsites in Australia

Camping with Dogs: Safety Tips & Essentials

Pet owners are splurging hundreds of dollars on clothes or bling for their furry friends, but when it comes to protection against parasites seven out of ten people forget to treat their animals on time!

Veterinarian, Dr Evan Shaw says too many dogs and cats are unnecessarily dying from parasites they could easily be protected from.

“Pet owners simply forget to give their pet’s parasite prevention or they are wrongly led to believe one product will cover everything when in actual fact, it doesn’t,” said Dr Shaw.

“Some products are given every 6 months, but weight gain from puppy/kitten to adult can lead to wildly insufficient dosages of parasite treatment leaving pets vulnerable and at risk of dying,” he said.

“Paralysis ticks are one of the biggest killers of animals with over 20,000 dogs admitted to vet hospitals each year on Australia’s east coast* as a result of paralysis ticks and around 5,000 lose their lives.”

“There are over 100 different products on the market to treat a wide range of parasites and no one product in Australia will cover everything, regardless of what they’ll tell you on TV.”

“Spring is the start of paralysis tick season, the most deadly tick species in Australia, with a single bite able to kill a large dog and requires immediate medical intervention.”

“Tick Paralysis symptoms typically include: a change in your pet’s breathing, heavy panting, excessive drooling, vomiting and an inability to swallow. Another tell-tale sign is “the wobbles” in their back legs progressing to complete collapse as they are slowly being paralysed from the tail up by the tick.”

Dr Evan was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis forcing him to retire from vet surgery but his passion to continue to save animal lives led him to create Fleamail, a subscription-based mail order flea, tick and worming program specific to a pet's needs and delivered to your front door when you need to administer it to your pet, for less than going to a pet store or clinic.

“At the time I was also fostering a puppy called Sirius who I rehabilitated for 6 weeks and was adopted by wonderful people who I reminded to buy parasite medication - they ended up forgetting, as many pet owners do, and we had to put him down two weeks later because he had very advanced paralysis from a tick.”

“It was at that moment I thought about how many other people lose track of their pet’s health and so Fleamail was born.”

Dr Evan's Tips to help you spot a tick on your dog or cat:

1. Your dog acts strange.

After a tick bite, especially a paralysis tick your dog may show symptoms of weakness or not wanting to play like normal, no appetite, unusual panting and a “funny” cough or bark. If you notice any of these signs, please see a vet.

2. The “wobbles”.

The toxin’s effects progress from the tail towards the head so you might also notice what looks like your pet is a little “drunk” in their hind legs and an inability to raise their tail like normal.

3. Excessively licking and drooling.

While ticks are often in places where dogs can’t reach easily, your dog may excessively lick if it knows it has a tick and have a wet muzzle from excessive drooling. 

Pay close to attention if your dog keeps licking one, or a few spots. Common areas are your dog’s ears, groin or under their front legs.

4. Unusual scabs or skin irritations.

A tick may have had its fill and left your dog already, however the signs are often still there. Many dogs excessively nip or lick at the bite site. If you notice this behaviour or find scabs on your dog’s body, make sure to conduct a closer examination.

5. Check over your pet.

Run your hands over your pet and feel for a small bump that could vary from the size of a small pebble to a pea. If you feel any abnormality, grab the torch and get as good a look as you can. You can’t miss a tick when you find one.

6. Keep the tick for identification.

Once you’ve removed it, keep the tick in a jar or zip lock bag so you can get it identified by your vet if need be. 

If you notice any signs in your pet, or are the least bit concerned, please contact your local vet straight away.

* https://publications.csiro.au/publications/publication/PIprocite:0916be76-8bfb-48a5-aa26-be9b88bdd3fc; https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:62987

About Fleamail

Fleamail is an affordable monthly subscription service delivering flea, tick and worming treatments based on the pet's size, age and location to homes across the country.

MEDIA RELEASE, 25th October 2021

During National Canine Lymphoma Awareness Month in November, biotech company PharmAust Ltd reminds pet lovers to regularly inspect their dog for lumps or bumps as it puts the call out for more pet dogs to help evaluate an interesting new anti-cancer drug shown to be safe and effective in Phase 1 and advanced Phase 2 clinical trials.

The ongoing Phase 2 trial for the drug Monepantel (MPL) is finalising dose optimisation and is a prelude to a multi-institutional canine cancer Phase 3 trial to start early next year.

Border Collie x Kelpie Ryley

The trial’s principal investigator Dr Kim Agnew is leading a team of highly qualified veterinary oncologists in New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia who are evaluating MPL in dogs that have been newly diagnosed with B-cell lymphoma and have not started any treatment.

PharmAust is currently setting up agreements for additional trial centres in New Zealand and the United States in preparation for the broadened reach required for the Phase 3 trial.

Cancer is the number one cause of death [1] in dogs over the age of 2. 

Lymphoma is one of the more common cancers in dogs and occurs in the white blood cells of the immune system. 

Symptoms can include tumours, lethargy, weight loss and loss of appetite.

National Canine Lymphoma Awareness Month is a reminder to pet owners to regularly inspect your pet for any lumps or bumps and pay attention to sudden changes in appearance and behaviour.

“The key to a good prognosis with canine lymphoma is early diagnosis and this particular form of cancer is very rapidly progressive, so it’s important to act quickly,” said Dr Agnew.

MPL shown to be a safe and effective cancer treatment

MPL is already approved for veterinary use for a different indication and species. PharmAust is aiming to repurpose MPL as a safe and effective cancer treatment.

Gemma with her black Kelpie Chica

“During the trials to date, over 25 pet dogs have been treated with MPL for lymphoma and the results are very promising,” said Dr Agnew.

“So far, we have shown that the new MPL tablet is very palatable and easy for pet owners to administer at home. Furthermore, at the recently identified optimal drug blood levels, side effects seem to be very minimal and all pet dogs that have maintained these levels over the course of treatment, have been assessed as at least stable disease by the administering veterinarians.

“Some pet dogs have continued after the trial on a combination of this optimum level of MPL and prednisolone, and all have exceeded the life expectancy of dogs that might be administered only prednisolone at diagnosis.”

Veterinary trial testimonies can be found here.

PharmAust was pleased to successfully meet its predetermined interim goals demonstrating both significant objective clinical benefit and significant overall response rate. It is now inviting more dogs with treatment naïve lymphoma to help complete the final optimisation of the Phase 2 trial in a bridging program before moving into the Phase 3 trial.


“PharmAust’s long term strategy is to develop MPL to treat cancer in both dogs and humans,” said Dr Richard Mollard, CSO of PharmAust and CEO of PharmAust’s wholly owned subsidiary Pitney Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd.

“In pet dogs with treatment naïve B-cell lymphoma and in humans with treatment refractory cancer, Monepantel displays strong evidence of anti-cancer activity. However – and perhaps more interestingly following our retrospective analysis of trial data in combination with prednisolone – Monepantel could be capable of doubling the life expectancy of pet dogs with B-cell lymphoma compared to if treated with just prednisolone alone. We now plan to do some more analysis and formally test this hypothesis in the Phase 3 clinical trial.

“Most importantly, all dogs also appear to enjoy a high quality of life while taking Monepantel, with reports of trial participants enjoying camping and playing at the park and at the beach with their owners.”

Program entry criteria

The canine entry criteria for MPL Clinical Trials can be found here and include:

✔️ Any stage lymphoma (based upon physical exam, abdominal ultrasound and thoracic X-ray)
✔️ Substage a (feeling well)
✔️ Immunophenotype can be pending, but needs to be B-cell based on clinical characteristics
✔️ No previous treatment, including corticosteroids (prednisolone)
✔️ No other significant concurrent medical problems
✔️ Good quality of life

The MPL program currently involves three consultations at the clinical trial sites (admission, at two weeks and at four weeks). These clinical trial sites are also listed here.

Owners need to transport their dogs to and from the trial sites for these three consultations. PharmAust will cover all trial costs, including for pet owners located at some distance to the trial sites, travel expenses as well as overnight hotel stay if needed.

For more information or to enrol, please contact Dr Richard Mollard via email here. 

About PharmAust

PAA is a clinical-stage company developing targeted anticancer, anti-neurodegenerative and antiviral therapeutics for humans and anticancer drugs for pet dogs. The company specialises in repurposing marketed drugs lowering the risks and costs of development. PAA’s lead drug candidate is monepantel (MPL), a novel, potent and safe inhibitor of the mTOR pathway. 

PAA is uniquely positioned to commercialise MPL for treatment of human and veterinary conditions as it advances the drug into a Phase 3 clinical trial for pet dogs with cancer as well as Phase 1 trials for humans with neurodegenerative disease and COVID19 and Phase 2 trials for humans with cancer.

To discover more, please visit www.pharmaust.com

The Gold Coast's favourite award-winning doggie market event is back on Sunday 7th November 2021. 

Paws at the Park held the Gold Coast’s first dog market event in 2016 and has grown to be Australia’s largest dog event of its kind.

Santa Paws at the Park is the perfect opportunity to pick up your pup's presents for Christmas, and grab a snap with Santa!

Voted Queensland's Best Doggie Day Out - and winner of two Pet Services and Product Awards, there's a reason why thousands of dog lovers (and their dogs) flock to Paws at the Park. 

The event has now raised over $50,000 for their Charity Partner Animal Welfare League QLD (AWLQ).

Created by two self-confessed crazy dog ladies, Paws at the Park highlights the best of Gold Coast and Brisbane dog products and services with:

✔️ Up to 100 doggie related stalls
✔️ Food trucks, live music and drinks
✔️ Demos and activities

✔️ Santa photo booth

✔️ Off-lead areas for small and big dogs
✔️ Competitions and an AWLQ raffle with thousands of dollars worth of prizes to be won

This November event is sponsored by Division 5's Councillor Peter Young and the City of Gold Coast, Gold Sponsors PETstock, Big Dog Pet Foods, EzyDog and Bronze Sponsor iPromea.

When: Sunday 7 November 2021, from 9:00am - 2:00pm

 
Where: Country Paradise Parklands, Nerang, QLD

Cost: Entry is free; Parking is a $5.00 donation to Animal Welfare League Qld.

For the latest details, please visit this event's Facebook page 

Who would have thought that motorcycles could raise funds for rehoming rescue Greyhounds? However, it's just been done in Queensland, Australia.

A group motorcycle ride of over 100 'bikies' travelled the 40 kilometres from Tamborine to Advancetown on Queensland's Gold Coast and made just over $3,000 for the rescue group Gumtree Greys.

Organiser of the ride, Ms Annie Hendley, who's the Queensland director of the Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds (CPG), said the two-hour ride was a big success.

“We had an 8am brekky available at the Bearded Dragon Hotel which was our starting point, then we hit the road at 9:45am for the Advancetown Hotel where lunch was served," she said.

Ms Hendley said community-run rescue groups have to raise funds to operate, whereas the racing industry's Greyhound Adoption Program rehoming arm in Queensland is fully funded by the State Government.

“There are too many healthy greyhounds killed because there aren’t enough homes for all of the dogs bred by the industry. Our politicians are undermining themselves by failing to listen to the public,” she said.

Surveys of public attitudes to Greyhound racing show most Australians don't want Greyhound racing to continue.

State Governments must track Greyhounds

Ms Hendley also said State Governments across Australia must track greyhounds after they cease racing as per RSPCA guidelines, so these dogs don’t go ‘missing’.

To make this happen in her own state of Queensland, Annie is asking fellow animal lovers to sign her online petition which already has over 4,000 signatures in support. Only people who live in Queensland are eligible to sign and can do so until November 19.

The petition calls on the Queensland Government to extend its current tracking system so racing greyhounds are followed from birth to death, instead of only until they stop racing. This will prevent dogs from being killed illegally, and bled out, as well as being used for experiments and for dissection.

“Official figures show retired greyhounds are being used this way. It’s cruel and it’s got to stop,” said Ms Hendley, who also volunteers with Gumtree Greys, a greyhound rescue group.

“During FY 2019/20, Queensland racing dog owners gave 195 Greyhounds to labs, vet product manufacturers, blood banks and to universities for dissection. 

Most dogs that survive being used this way are usually killed, yet this is an industry that tells us they ‘love their dogs’.”

She said the 2019/20 financial year delivered record breaking returns to Greyhound racing industry participants ($1 billion, an increase of 18.7%) in Queensland, yet they're still choosing to abandon dogs in these appalling ways.

CPG has five key demands for all state governments about greyhound reform.

CPG is a dedicated group of people across Australia who work together to inform the public about the cruelties of Greyhound racing – Facebook, Website, Instagram, media coverage.

Queenslanders can sign the petition here: www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-assembly/petitions/petition-details?id=3581

MEDIA RELEASE, 21st October 2021

Melbourne's Australian Animal Protection Society launches Snores for Paws fundraising campaign

Melbourne-based animal rescue organisation, the Australian Animal Protection Society (AAPS) is launching its major fundraising drive for 2021 - Snores for Paws – a fun and unique sleepover event at their Keysborough shelter with resident pets and staff members.

Similar in concept to the Vinnies CEO Sleepout – yet with puppies and pets – Snores for Paws will see the 35 dedicated team of staff at the Australian Animal Protection Society - from the General Manager to the office staff, the animal welfare team and all the veterinary staff - sleep overnight on Saturday November 13, 2021, in the organisations’ newly built animal shelter in Keysborough with their furry resident pets.

Established in 1971, the community-based not-for-profit charity cares for thousands of lost, abandoned, orphaned and unwanted animals, with a philosophy of wanting to return as many as possible to their owners or to find them new fur-ever homes.

German Shepherd Angel found a fur-ever home thanks to AAPS

“Snores for Paws has a two-fold benefit – raise awareness of AAPS and much needed funds – but more importantly find out how our loveable pet residents cope during the night-time when we aren’t here to look after them. It will give us great insight into their behaviour and nocturnal needs”, said General Manager, Megan Seccull.

With some furry residents and staff members having their own donation profile on the official AAPS website, donators will be able to select and sponsor an animal or staff member of choice - creating a fun and interactive element to the fundraising initiative.

AAPS Staff member Megan with Goldie, available for adoption

The group hopes to raise $250,000 from the sleepover to build a much-needed, multi-purpose dog training facility. With a puppy school, dog behaviour training and agility yards, a building like this will benefit both the community and the dogs that come into the shelter looking for a new home as it will be a safe and secure place for the dogs to meet their new families all year round.

“We rely heavily on our amazing volunteers and the generous donations from the community, to provide vital financial support so Snores for Paws is a big focus for us in 2021 and we urge all Melburnians to get on board and sponsor one of our AAPS Team Members”, said a passionate Megan Seccull.

For more information, visit www.aaps.org.au 

For the Snores for Paws donation link, visit snores-for-paws.raisely.com

MEDIA RELEASE, 20th October 2021

Pet insurance Australia is issuing a timely warning about the dangers during Halloween for pets. From keeping them safe during celebrations to ensuring the dangerous candy and chocolate are out of reach.

“It’s that spooky time of year, and as many of us begin to come out of lockdowns across the nation, the desire to join in the celebrations of Halloween will be high,” Nadia Crighton from Pet Insurance Australia says. “With all those extra treats and costumes, it’s a good idea to start to plan for our pets.”

With the majority of pets enjoying a fairly solitary life alongside their pet parents during 2020 and the majority of 2021, entertaining could be quite a shock to many pets in the coming weeks.

“Pets may feel uneasy with a barrage of new guests or people coming and going from your home,” Crighton suggests. “So it’s a good idea to keep this in mind and set some clear rules when it comes to the family pets.”

Some tips to keep your pets safe:

✔️ Make a safe room – pop your pet in this area if you are unable to 100% supervise them or if they suffer from any anxiety-related conditions.

✔️ Only use dress-ups when your pet is being supervised.

✔️ Encourage guests to only treat your pet with specially designed pet treats and not human food.

✔️ Remove rubbish quickly and ensure rubbish bins are secure.

✔️ Keep cats inside for the night.

“Setting aside 2020 - because the traditional Trick and Treating didn’t occur due to lockdowns - in previous years, we’ve usually seen a 15-20% uptick in chocolate toxicity claims in a week or so after Halloween each year,” Crighton says. “So keeping those delicious treats out of reach and out of mind is paramount when it comes to our pets.”

Other conditions can also include gastro-related issues, blockages caused by a range of human foods, skewers and plastic toys, and pets accessing unsuitable tasty treats.

“It’s also important to remember that xylitol is also very toxic to dogs and cats, and is commonly found in many lollies that will be popular around Halloween,” Crighton says. “It’s really important that pet owners understand the dangers of chocolate and xylitol poisoning.”

Even in very small amounts, xylitol can cause irreversible illness and death. Even if the pet survives the poisoning liver failure is very common.

“Many parents are opting for the less sugar approach for treats for their children, however most times the sugar is replaced by xylitol,” Crighton warns. “Ensuring you teach your children about the dangers their treats can cause their pets is important.”

Keeping our pets in mind as we enjoy this Halloween will ensure you don’t end up with a very spooky and unexpected trip to the emergency veterinary hospital.

“With a little planning and some conversations around treats, human foods, and the dangers of rubbish with your friends and family can prevent many of these incidents from occurring,” Crighton says. “Allowing you and your furry best friend to enjoy the night without any additional stress and worry.”

MEDIA RELEASE, 20th October 2021

Howl-o-ween has gone to the dogs and cats!

Second Chance Animal Rescue in Melbourne has come up with an inventive way to embrace the spooky season while supporting pets in need.

Times have been tough, for everyone in Melbourne, but especially for animal rescue charities.

‘Second Chance focus on rescuing and rehoming pets in need and supporting pet owners in the community who cannot afford to look after their pets by offering pet food, medical care and vaccinations. All of this support doesn’t come cheap and with Covid lockdowns, forced closures and a drop in donations, times have got even tougher.’ says CEO, Marisa Debattista.

‘The bank account is very low and our shelter is FULL of homeless animals in need.’ 

She goes on to say ‘we were planning on hosting a Howl-o-ween ball as a fundraiser but sadly, due to restrictions we’ve had to put that on hold until February next year, so instead we’ve created a fun forfeit live stream event where myself and my team will take part in ghoulish forfeits for donations.

We’ll do anything for the animals here!’ she adds with a nervous laugh.

So, this Howl-o-ween, to raise spirits (not the ghostly kind) and to help raise vital funds for vulnerable pets, on Friday 29th October from 10am, staff will be going the extra spooky mile to prove that they will indeed do just about anything to help the animals in their care!

Some forfeits you can choose from include:

• $10 donation: eat some 'cat litter' cake
• $30 donation: Eat their lunch out of a dog bowl (no hands)
• $100 donation: Be walked down the street wearing a collar and lead like a dog
• $250 donation: Have a full bucket of sloppy dog food poured on their heads
• $300 donation: Get hydro bathed in our grooming room in their full work gear (soap and all)
• $500 donation: Sleep overnight in a haunted dog kennel in the shelter

To join in the fun and to see the full list, click ‘attending’ on their Facebook Howloween House Of Horrors event page.

Or find all the details on their website www.secondchanceanimalrescue.com.au

So, this Howloween, will you DARE to CARE?

About Second Chance Animal Rescue

SCAR was established in 2008 in the loungeroom of SCAR Founder and veterinary nurse, Marisa Debattista, as she realised that too many dogs and cats were being put to sleep simply because pounds and shelters didn’t have the space to keep them. After years of fundraising she has moved the shelter from its previous home in Campbellfield to a new facility in Craigieburn.

The Shelter and Animal Hospital facility in Craigieburn rescues animals, due to be euthanised, from other pounds and shelters and offer them a second chance at finding their forever homes. The Facility also offers affordable veterinary care and free pet food and medical care to the pets of people struggling financially. To date they have rescued and rehomed over 12,000 animals and supported thousands of families in need.

Australia Post is celebrating 150 years of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) with the release of five stamps representing their mission and practice: research, shelter, protection, certification and advocacy.

With the RSPCA’s history in Australia dating back to a public meeting to discuss the ill treatment of horses in Victoria in 1871, this stamp issue commemorates the organisation’s 150 years of caring for and protecting animals in Australia.

Australia Post Group Manager Philatelic Michael Zsolt said the RSPCA deserves to be celebrated for their tireless work towards preventing animal cruelty.

“The RSPCA’s long history of advocating for animal welfare issues is something all Australians are proud of,” Mr Zsolt said.

“The stamp designs really show the breadth of the RSPCA’s work across companion animals, farm animals, animals in sport, recreation and industry, and wildlife.

RSPCA Australia Chief Executive Officer Richard Mussell said the stamps were a fitting addition to the 150th anniversary commemorations.

“It’s wonderful to see the RSPCA’s work over many years acknowledged in this way by Australia Post,” Mr Mussell said.

“These stamps are a wonderful opportunity to reflect on our great breadth of work and what has been achieved in what is an important milestone year for us.”

The stamps and associated products, including a minisheet, stamp pack, first day cover and maxicard set, are on sale from today at participating Post Offices, via mail order on 1800 331 794, and online while stocks last.

For more information, please visit auspost.com.au/stamps or australiapostcollectables.com.au

MEDIA RELEASE, 19th October 2021