Bandit (formerly Clare) the 7-year-old terrier arrived at the Home back in March quite nervous and in a dire situation. She had severe dental disease, was covered in fleas, had infected flea-bitten skin and her right eye was completely enlarged and required urgent surgery. It was clear that she was in a great deal of discomfort and in a lot of pain. The animal care team at the Home knew they had to take immediate action to relieve Bandit’s pain. It was a blessing in disguise that Bandit arrived when she did, as her eye and other health issues could have worsened.

The animal care team performed surgery on Bandit to address her dental disease and to surgically remove her right eye, to ensure she could live a pain-free and comfortable life as soon as possible. After the successful procedure and many health checks, Bandit recovered well with a lot of rest in foster care.

Bandit has recently been adopted and has settled in at her new home. She has since been on many exciting adventures and living her best life, now that she is pain free. It’s now Bandit’s time to enjoy the rest of her latter years with her new family.

Bandit’s new family have gone above and beyond to ensure she receives the life she deserves. She has a safe space in the living room with a comfortable bed and her family have been working with her to ensure she settles in well to her new home. In every update received, Bandit has made big improvements and is loving her new life!

It’s not unusual for dogs just like Bandit who may require urgent surgery and a little extra care to come through our doors and Bandit has proven that with the right care, treatment and love, she can live a normal life just like any other dog!

Published on 30 June 2022

There has been a number of kittens who recently arrived at the Home with ringworm, including Tarvos and Narvi, both named after little moons around Saturn.

Tarvos and Narvi first arrived at the home in need of help. After the Animal Care Team conducted health checks, it was discovered that these two fluffballs had ringworm. Despite its name, ringworm (also known as dermatophytosis) is not an actual worm, but a fungal infection that can affect the cat’s skin, hair and nails. It is called “ringworm” due to the circular rash that is usually red, itchy and can be shaped like a ring.

It is one of the most common causes of skin infection in older cats, and kittens are usually the worst affected by it. Fortunately, this fungal infection is easily treatable and kittens can make a full recovery with the right medication and care.

Ringworm is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can spread between humans and animals, but fear not, as it can easily be contained to ensure that humans and the other animals that share a home, stay fungus-free. Pets typically recover from ringworm on their own in about three months, but it’s always best to consult with a vet about the right treatment options based on the severity of the condition.

These lovely kittens arrived a little timid, but after some time spent in foster care, this little duo have been building their confidence and have shown their playful and energetic side! Narvi is the most confident of the two and absolutely LOVES food, whereas Tarvos is a bit more on the shy side, but loves to play and is known for doing the cutest little zoomies! They are your typical kittens who love to play and better yet, have quickly learnt to use their litter trays!

Although Tarvos and Narvi may need that little extra TLC with their daily meds, they are waiting patiently to find their forever home and show you they are just as cuddly, loveable and will shower you in unconditional love! Their hope and wish is to be loved and to find their forever home as a pair, to go through their treatment together and get used to human touch!

Update: Both kittens have found a loving forever home together!

Published on 21 June 2022

We received an awesome update about Lily (formerly Bindi) the Pomeranian who recently celebrated her 3^rd ‘Gotcha Day’ with mum Despina. Lily spent the day with The Mighty Chi’s, a local group of Chihuahua dog pals who celebrated Lily’s special day with pupcakes and dog-friendly biscuits. Despite not having any Chihuahua in her, Lily was accepted into the group, became a regular at meetups and was whole-heartily welcomed as an honourary Chi!

Despina shared that she originally came to Sydney Dogs & Cats Home to adopt another dog. After chatting with the staff about her desire to have a dog who would have adventures throughout Sydney and join Despina at work doing dance therapy in aged care, it was ultimately decided it wasn’t the best fit. Along came Lily, who at the time wasn’t yet available for adoption but Despina was given the chance to take her for a walk and she fell in love. “I put in my application that day so that I could pounce the nanosecond Lily was up for adoption.” It wasn’t long until Lily became available, and Despina calls herself the luckiest person in the world to become Lily’s mum.

Lily spent her first two weeks in her new home becoming her mum’s little shadow, following her around each room and not letting her out of sight. Lily eventually settled in and began her new adventure-filled life. Lily enjoys spending her time rumbling with her best friend, Tiffany the Chihuahua, chasing other dogs at the dog park, and going to work with her mum. But one of her biggest achievements has been assisting an 85-year-old woman at her mum’s work to get over her life-long fear of dogs after a bad experience as a little girl.

While Despina was originally disappointed that it wasn’t the right fit with the first dog, she was happy and confident when Sydney Dogs & Cats Home staff said Lily was a great fit. Despina’s advice to other animal lovers looking at adopting is “chat to staff honestly about your lifestyle and the life your dog would lead so they can match you with the perfect dog.”

Rescue dogs like Lily can make a large impact on many people’s lives and in turn, rescue animals receive the second chance they deserve. All the staff and volunteers at Sydney Dogs & Cats Home wish Lily a Happy Third ‘Gotcha Day’!

If you are thinking of welcoming a furry friend into your home and giving them the second chance they deserve, click here to see all our pets waiting for their forever homes.

Published 28 June 2022

Elysia had heard about Sydney Dogs & Cats Home 6 years ago from her mum who knew she had been wanting to adopt a rescue animal. When Elysia and her partner moved out, they started looking for a 3^rd member of the family and had seen Topdeck on the SDCH website. However, at that time weren’t quite ready for a pet. Fast forward 3 months and they were finally ready and by chance, Topdeck was still available, and it was meant to be! Elysia says “Topdeck is a serious joy to have around. From his cute beeps meow to his crab walk ritual in the morning he is the best and we love him so much.” Elysia and her partner adopted another cat, Cinnamon who Topdeck has a bit of sibling rivalry!

Topdeck very much made himself at home from the get-go and has become a huge part of their family. He even claimed a beanbag as his throne and is now one of his favourite spots to chillax! Elysia says “The impact Topdeck has had since coming into our lives is huge. He’s always there for us if we feel down or lonely. He is always there for a cuddle and a purr.’”

Apart from claiming his throne and being a snuggle bug, Topdeck loves any event involving food and lets Elysia and her partner know with his beeps that he is ready to eat! When he’s not eating, he loves anything that has a string attached and batting at their feet while in bed! Most of all, he loves being cuddled next to the window as he watches the trains go past.

Elysia’s advice for anyone looking to adopt is “Adopting a pet will change your life and you have to be prepared! You’re not just taking on another mouth to feed, you’re becoming their whole life and the supporter for theirs!”

If you are thinking about adopting a pet, check out all our pets available for adoption on our Adopt page here.

Published on 17 June 2022

Butter the cat came to the Home in March 2022 where he instantly won over the staff with his strong headbutts and extremely friendly personality. It was difficult to take any photos or videos of him as all he wanted was to rub himself on you and receive all the pats and cuddles he could get!

There may have been a reason why Butter has the sweetest personality, the vet team discovered that Butter has diabetes in a consultation. If managed correctly, animals with diabetes can live long and healthy lives, but it would take a special type of person to commit to the ongoing medical care that a diagnosis such as diabetes presents.

The search was on to find Butter’s special someone who would commit to daily medical care and showering Butter with the love he deserves. While Butter was featured on the SDCH social media pages quite frequently, encouraging anyone to inquire about Butter and learn more about his diabetes and how to manage it, there wasn’t anyone out there who was willing to give Butter the life he deserved. Until SDCH staff member, Campbell met Butter for the first time.

Campbell, who is the Maintenance & Logistics Officer at the Home, was transporting Butter to Sydney University Vet for additional vet care when Campbell discovered Butter was a diabetic cat. Butter turned on the charm, showing Campbell how friendly and smoochy he is. Campbell says his decision to adopt Butter after that was “A no brainer. This condition would have prolonged his stay with Sydney Dogs & Cats Home.”

Lucky for Butter, Campbell has had experience with diabetic animals having owned a cat who developed diabetes in the last 5 years of his 13 years with Campbell and his family. Campbell adapted quickly, educating himself about what was involved and seeking professional advice. Soon, he created a strict diet and a routine of 12 hourly intervals of insulin dosing and regular trips to the vets to monitor blood glucose levels and adjust insulin doses as required. It is safe to say that Butter is in the best hands possible!

Butter has settled quickly into his new home, including adjusting to life with new siblings; a cat brother named BeeGee and two dog brothers named Toby and Dudley who have all welcomed him into the home. Campbell says, “Butter is very happy exploring and has his comfort zones to chill whenever he wants.”

Campbell’s advice to anyone thinking of fostering or adopting an animal with special needs is; “Go for it! Once you receive your thorough instructions on how to manage your pet’s condition, they’re not too much different to an animal without a medical condition.”

 

Published 12 May 2022

Sara and her partner Chris had been looking to find an adventurous pet to fit into their lifestyle and be included in all their activities. Having previously had an adventurous dog and cat, they were hoping their new pet would be willing to walk on the lead and join in on all their journeys. They were so committed to welcoming a new pet into their lives, that they even moved house as their previous landlord didn’t allow pets.

Sara and Chris saw Lily the kitten on the Sydney Dogs & Cats Home website and were hopeful they had found their match, especially as Lily’s profile stated she was ‘adventurous, playful, curious and friendly.’ When they met Lily at the shelter, they fell in love immediately and every plan to “sleep on it” flew out the window. “We were so smitten with Lily that we took her home then and there,” says Sara.

Lily became accustomed to her family being home during the pandemic and taking every opportunity to snuggle up and play with her new family, but her favourite activity is going on her daily walk. Sara says, “if I do not take Lily for a daily walk, she howls at the door and looks at me incredulously.” Apart from her walks and snuggling with her humans, Lily enjoys playing fetch, chasing the laser pointer and becoming a ‘doona monster’, running under the sheets and quilt when Sara and Chris attempt to make the bed.

Lily embarked on her biggest adventure yet when her family relocated from Australia to America earlier this year. Travelling through several countries and states on planes, trains, buses, shuttles and finally a car to get to her final destination of Connecticut. Lily has settled into her new life in America well, enjoying her daily walks even more now as she has gotten to know the local animals well, chasing the squirrels and bumblebees and chatting to the new birds. Sara hopes next winter when there’s snow on the ground, Lily will join in on sledding adventures.

Sara encourages anybody thinking of adopting to do so, “there are so many animals without loving homes and just remember that a pet is a big commitment but one you will not regret. The staff at SDCH clearly love all the animals in their care.”

If you are thinking about adopting a pet, check out all our pets available for adoption on our Adopt page here.

Published 11 May 2022

Sydney Dogs & Cats Home were excited to host the Companion Animal Rescue Awards launch event. The awards, now in its 5^th year, aim to inspire rescue groups and animal shelters to continue their efforts in saving lives during challenging times, such as during the pandemic and the recent flooding in parts of Australia.

A small celebration was held at the Home’s Strathfield shelter with Rescue Awards Founder, Cathy Beer, awards judge Dr Anne Quain, Sydney Dogs & Cats Home General Manager and previous Award finalist, Melissa Penn, and the award sponsors, Josh Wheeler from Ivory Coat and Alisha Saliba from PetRescue.

The award categories include Outstanding Rescue Group, Volunteer of the Year, Outstanding Animal Shelter and new categories including Ivory Coat People’s Rescue Story and Ivory Coat Foster Care Story.

This year, the awards have 21 judges from a variety of different backgrounds of expertise, including companion animal welfare, rescue and sheltering, veterinary, animal behaviour, and rehabilitation. Lara Shannon, animal welfare advocate and Host of Channel 10’s Pooches at Play returns as an ambassador for the Rescue Awards.

Nominations are open now until the 31^st of July 2022 with the finalist to be announced 14^th of September and the awards set to take place at the end of the year in November.

Pet adopters can share their story and enter here. Foster Carers can share their story and enter here. Find out more at rescueawards.com.au 

Published on 6th May 2022

We have all seen cat owners carrying around their furry friend in cute bubble backpacks, especially in online videos and photos. The pets look cute to humans, but are these bags safe and comfortable for the cat?

Benji the cat would attest that NO! these bags are not safe and are rather scary. Benji was abandoned on the Sydney Dogs & Cats Home doorstep in one of these cat bags. While these bags may look handy and convenient and makes cats look like little space travellers, these bags are uncomfortable, stuffy and makes cats like Benji become scared and frightened of people, making it difficult for them to trust.

When Benji was finally released from the confides of these bags, he spent the next 3-weeks frozen in the corner of his enclosure and refused to interact with any of the Sydney Dogs & Cats Home staff. He finally felt comfortable and safe enough to accept pats, and he is now the sweetest, smoochy and cuddliest cat who is now looking for a forever home he can feel safe and comfortable and never has to be confided to one of those cat bags again!

Let’s have a closer look as to why these on trend carriers are not ideal for your pets.

Leaves no place to hide

Cats love having small spaces to hide and to make them feel calm and secure. Cats have extremely strong senses, so some environments can be overwhelming. Cat backpacks don’t allow for your pet to seek refuge away from an overstimulating environment. Having your cat exposed in these bubbles, can lead to unnecessary stress and trauma.

Not enough room

Cats need to lie down or curl up to completely relax. Cat backpacks only allow enough room for cats to sit up and doesn’t allow for adequate room for food or water.

Hot & stuffy

Cat backpacks tend to be made from plastic which traps heat. They also radiate your pet’s own heat whilst sitting inside. The ventilation holes don’t allow for adequate air circulation and can create an uncomfortable environment of heat and stuffiness.

Although these carriers allow for pet owners to have their hands free and look trendy and cute to others, they are not suitable transportation devices as they pose a health risk to your cat. Traditional cat carriers allow for proper ventilation, an area to hide and adequate space for food and water.

If you own one of these bags, or know someone who does, we encourage you to use traditional carriers for your cat’s health and safety.

If you would like to give Benji the comfortable and safe home he deserves, you can view his adoption profile here: https://sydneydogsandcatshome.org/animal/benji/

We spend a lot of time ensuring our pets eat the right nutritious food, drink enough water and get adequate exercise to ensure they have optimal health. But are you ensuring that your furry one’s fangs are in tip top shape? Proper oral hygiene is a key piece to great overall health for your furry friend and makes for a more pleasant lap companion. We discuss 4 tips to ensure that your pet’s teeth are healthy, strong and odourless.

Brush Weekly

Like humans, it is important to brush your pet’s teeth at least three times a week. By utlising a proper toothbrush with special pet friendly toothpaste, we ensure that our furry friend’s gums are not overlooked. Your pet might get agitated with this exercise however doing it regular will lead to them becoming more comfortable with the process. The best way to get your pet familiar with tooth cleaning, is to follow Sydney Pet Dentistry’s Slow and Sneaky Method.

Book Regular Cleans at Your Vet

The most important piece to keeping your pet’s teeth healthy, is to book in regular deep cleans at your local vet. Your vet will be apple to pick up dental problems and stop them leading to infections or serious health issues. Your vet can ensure your pet gets a proper deep clean by removing plaque, adding gum protectant, and most importantly ensuring a fresh breath.

Serve Your Pet the Right Foods

It all starts with what you put into your pet’s mouth. Raw kibble, carrots and apples are great for both cats and dogs, as their texture create a brushing motion against their teeth.

Chew Toys

Treat your furry one to specially designed chew toys that promote oral hygiene. Having your pet play with non-abrasive toys, help remove food particles and plaque build up.

To find out more, about what you can do to ensure optimal dental health, speak to your local vet.

 

After raising a collective $2500 for Sydney Dogs & Cats Home in 2020 and 2021 through the Return & Earn container recycling scheme, 13-year-old Vaughn Arambatzis was named a ‘local legend’ by local media and public figures for his outstanding fundraising efforts. But now that title has come true with Vaughn being awarded the Keep Australia Beautiful Young Legend’s Award.

Vaughn’s family, friends, the local South Sydney community and local businesses have helped spread awareness of the fundraiser, collected bottles, donated bins, and helped transport containers to Reverse Vending Machines. Vaughn was able to recycle 15,000 containers over the last two years with 12,000 containers collected in 2021 alone.

Covid lockdowns didn’t slow Vaughn’s collection efforts down at all. While Return & Earn Vending Machines and depots remained closed during Sydney’s 2021 lockdown, Vaughn extended his collection deadline and bottles and cans continued to accumulate in his family’s front yard, allowing him to smash his original goal of $1000 and instead, impressively raising a total of $2000.10 for Sydney Dogs & Cats Home.

When asked what winning the award meant to him, Vaughn said; “It means a lot because it’s a big award. Winning the award gives Sydney Dogs & Cats Home recognition and that might encourage people to donate more money. I hope it also encourages more people to use Return and Earn and to recycle.”

Vaughn’s win of the Young Legend Award has motivated him to set his sights on expanding his recycling and fundraising efforts with the hopes of working with the Georges River Council. Vaughn also has plans to expand his container collection efforts and hopes the local community and local businesses will sponsor him so he can utilise the Return & Earn purple bin service. Vaughn says his other goal for 2022 is “to try and raise as much as I can.”

If you are interested in donating your Return & Earn refund to Sydney Dogs & Cats Home, you can do so through the MyTOMRA app before returning your containers at a Reverse Vending Machine. 100% of the refund will be transferred to Sydney Dogs & Cats Home and will assist in the continued efforts to rehabilitate and reunite Sydney’s lost and abandoned pets. You can also keep up with Vaughn’s recycling and fundraising efforts by visiting www.instagram.com/vaughnsfundraiser.

 

Published 2 February 2022