Georgia the Bulldog is a sweet little peach who came to the Home a little worse for wear. She arrived in June with blood on the tip of her nose, scabs all over her head, runny eyes and suspicious masses on her ears. It was clear Georgia needed immediate vet care from our Animal Care Team.

Our vets gave Georgia a thorough health check, but she didn’t make it easy! Georgia is one of those dogs who loves everything and everyone and was very friendly and cheeky, trying to play with the vets as they examined her.  Our vets discovered there was a lot more to Georgia’s health concerns that met the eye. Georgia had had discharge and inflammation in her ears and her remaining teeth required a thorough clean. She also had overgrown nails and seemed to have difficulty walking, lying down and getting up. Our vet team booked Georgia in for a much-needed dental scale and polish, radiograph for her hips, biopsies of her skin masses, ear flush and full spa treatment with a manicure and pedicure (nail trimming).

Last week, Georgia had her big surgeries and tests, which resolved her ear inflammation and dental concerns. Her nails are now picture-perfect, making it much easier to get around. Unfortunately, Georgia’s tests revealed she has a few more health hurdles including hip dysplasia, a common abnormal development or growth of the hip joints, especially among larger dogs like Georgia. She also has a degenerative condition of the spine that usually occurs in older dogs and ear masses are a symptom of a rare chronic inflammatory skin condition. While these conditions can’t be cured, Georgia is now on a series of treatments that will keep her comfy and content in her adopted home.

It was no surprise that Georgia would be adopted quickly as she is the perfect angel towards humans and other animals, loves to play with toys and also loves sleeping. Going on walks, not so much! Georgia was adopted shortly before her major surgeries and had a loving home where she could rest and recover. Our Animal Care Team have been working with Georgia’s new owner to ensure she is recovering well from her surgeries and receiving proper treatment so she can continue to live her best couch potato life!

The support we receive from our community is vital to all animals that come to the Home. Without your support, we wouldn’t be able to help darling dogs like Georgia become health and happy companions. As we’re a charity, we rely on donations to provide tests and treatments like radiographs, biopsies and ear flushes. Please consider making a donation today by visiting: https://sydneydogsandcatshome.org/donate/

Published 21 July 2021

Senior sweetheart Poppy (previously Geranium) is a Maltese x Shih Tzu who came to the Home in April with concerning lumps and bumps under the skin of her abdomen, severe dental disease, sensitive ears and a nasty eye ulcer. Despite her obvious discomfort, Poppy was the most lively 12-year-old around, looking for as many pats as she could get her paws in, as long as we didn’t touch her sore eye. Poppy was immediately put on medication for her ulcer and booked into surgery to investigate her mammary masses and resolve her dental disease. Her teeth were in such bad shape that one of her molars fell out during her stay at the Home. Poppy received a nice payday from the tooth fairy for that one – lots of soft tasty treats.

Poppy spent a few weeks in a comfy foster home while her eye ulcer resolved. Within two weeks, it had cleared and the swelling had resolved. Her eyes were crystal clear. When Poppy’s surgery day came around, there was a big sense of relief across the Home. All her masses turned out to be harmless and were removed with ease. She had dental surgery to clean up her remaining teeth, and now she has the most adorable tongue-y smile.

As a senior dog, Poppy was at the Home for a while before she was adopted, strutting around town in her signature bumblebee harness. Even for cuties like her who are spirited and lively, senior dogs often find themselves in shelters for extended periods as they often require extra veterinary care and face challenges finding a suitable home willing to provide love, care and ongoing monitoring and treatment. That’s why we run the Senior Pet Project appeal to raise much-needed awareness and funds for the senior pets that come through our doors.*

Lucky for Poppy, a lovely couple who last year had lost their previous dog, adopted Poppy pre-surgery, without knowing the nature of her mammary lumps. They took a chance on Poppy, committing to caring for her no matter the outcome. Poppy now has a comfy spot on the couch at her new home where she will enjoy the rest of her days, with a family who bonded with her instantly. Her new mum told us, “it’s as if she has lived with us all her life.”

*If you’d like to provide pets like Poppy with essential vet care in their senior years, donate to the Senior Pet Project today.

Published 21 July 2021

Sticks and Stones Won’t Break My Bones, but they Will Clog My Intestines

Lucia arrived at Sydney Dogs & Cats Home in a terrible condition. This poorly kitty was found dumped outside the Home in June hunched over with health concerns including dehydration and hypersalivation. She was dangerously underweight and couldn’t keep down food or water. It was clear Lucia was very uncomfortable and needed urgent care to ensure she didn’t waste away.

Our vets gave Lucia a thorough health check, suspecting she may have enlarged organs or internal obstruction. While she felt normal on the surface, her lack of appetite was a clear indication some further testing was required. Lucia received further supportive care including major abdominal surgery to ensure all bases were covered. During the exploratory surgery, it became clear little Lucia had sticks and grass in her intestines and without immediate surgery, Lucia would not make it.

The vets removed the obstruction in Lucia’s intestine and she is now recovering in the comfort of her foster home. She is making great progress and is now on her weight gain journey receiving a yummy diet of Hill’s Prescription Diet i/d for digestive health. Once she has gained weight and fully recovered from her surgery, she will be available for adoption.

Cats are notorious for ingesting all types of materials, and a cat such as Lucia who likely lived a life on the streets will eat anything that is available to them. Unfortunately, situations such as Lucia’s can be the result. Fortunately, Lucia came to the Home in time for us to perform lifesaving surgery.

Lifesaving surgeries, important medical care such as medication, testing and scans and other necessities such as food, bedding and toys are all crucial in caring for each and every animal that comes to the Home. The support of our community is vital in allowing us to transform animals like Lucia into healthy, happy companions. Please help us help them by making a donation today.

Published 16 June 2021

When Jasper (previously Jammie) arrived as a 4-week old kitten, he had fleas and a ruptured right eye. Despite the fact his eye was bulging from its socket, he was a bright little boy who was affectionate and friendly, rubbing against our veterinary staff like nothing was wrong.

We had to act fast to help Jasper. Our vets started him on pain relief and flea treatment and booked him in for surgery for his eye. Suspected to be from an advanced case of cat flu, Jasper’s eye was unviable and had to be removed to relieve his discomfort and swelling.

Jasper got stitched up and spent his recovery in a comfy foster home with our Volunteer Coordinator Sue, who gave him all the time and creature comforts he needed to heal. He started experiencing mild discharge from his nose, indicating he still had cat flu so he was treated with antibiotics in foster care, which resolved swiftly.

Jasper didn’t let his ordeal slow him down. Throughout the rehabilitation process, he was playful, cuddly and even learned to walk on a harness and lead in Sue’s backyard.

Last week, after just seven weeks of rest and recovery, Jasper the one-eyed kitten found the purrfect forever home with Stacey, Mark and their senior Kelpie Angus. They recently lost their senior cat and wanted to give a home to a cat who needed a little extra love.

Within a day, Jasper was right at home. He’s made best friends with Angus and has earned himself the nickname ‘Hurricane Jasper’. He has not let his disability slow him down. In fact, with his parents working from home, he’s taken to jumping on their desks, typing emails and knocking office supplies onto the floor – all in a day’s work.

Stacey tells us she and Mark are completely in love with Jasper and he’s the perfect cat. He might be bouncing around like crazy one minute and snuggling on their lap the next.

Jasper is one of many cats who arrive at the Home with complications caused by cat flu. If you’d like to help provide the resources we need to rehabilitate pets like Jasper, please make a donation today: https://sydneydogsandcatshome.org/donate/.

Published 21 July 2021

The health and safety of our community, staff, volunteers and animals is our highest priority at all times. In light of the evolving COVID-19 stay at home orders affecting Greater Sydney, we have implemented the following temporary measures for our organisation to ensure the safety of our community, in line with directives provided by NSW Health agencies.

Sydney Dogs & Cats Home will be temporarily closed to the public for all non-essential services. Please be assured that our animals are still receiving high-quality care from our shelter staff during this time. This closure is to help minimise the amount of risk and exposure to our team and the wider community.

To ensure that we can continue to deliver our Mission, including adhering to our legal obligations to protect the welfare of animals in our care at all times, we have implemented the following measures:

• Appointments may only be made for the following contactless services:
  • • reclaim of lost but found pets
    • adoption finalisations
• Covid Safety practices will apply at all times
• Customers can make an appointment with staff by phone on 9587 9611

Reclaims
If you recognise your lost pet on our website, please phone our team. The reclaim process will then be conducted over the phone. Please do not go to our shelter until your contactless reclaim appointment is confirmed.

Adoptions
If you’re interested in adopting a specific animal, please fill out an adoption form online and wait for our team to get in touch. The adoption process will then be conducted over the phone and via FaceTime. Please do not go to our shelter. If approved for adoption, an animal care team member will arrange contactless adoption finalisation and transport option, ensuring all physical distancing measures are adhered to.

Current Advice
NSW Government – the NSW Department of Primary Industries have clarified that you can leave your home when COVID-19 movement restrictions are in place to provide care to an animal. 

Sydney Dogs & Cats Home is closely monitoring the evolving situation of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and will continue to follow the directives of the lead public health agencies, including NSW Health and the Australian Department of Health.

We thank our community for their patience and cooperation during this challenging time. For more information about Covid-19, please visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/rules

Last Updated 15/07/2021

Piper the cat was found at the base of a nine-storey apartment building in late February with injuries suggesting she fell from a balcony. When council rangers brought her to the Home, it was clear she needed immediate vet attention.

Physical examinations, blood tests, x-rays and an ultrasound revealed Piper had subcutaneous emphysema (air in her chest and under her skin), bruising along her belly, a graze on her chin and damage to her liver.

Piper required urgent overnight care with a specialist, so we sent her to Sydney Veterinary Emergency and Specialists (SVES) where she was put on IV fluids, pain relief and antibiotics. 

Repeat blood tests and monitoring overnight revealed Piper’s health concerns including her subcutaneous emphysema and liver trauma were temporary and resolved with time and medication. 

While Piper was receiving treatment at SVES, Sydney Dogs & Cats Home Animal Care Manager Dr Renae Jackson was determined to find Piper’s owners. Renae printed some lost posters and plastered them all over the apartment building where Piper was found. Within 24 hours, Piper’s owners contacted the Home to reclaim her and cover the costs of her medical treatment. 

It’s now over two months since Piper’s fall, and we’re pleased to reports she has completely recovered and is getting back to her active self. There’ll be no more balcony adventures for her in the future.

Injuries like those sustained by Piper are one of the many reasons we recommend for apartment cats to be kept inside, away from open balconies. Renae notes, “Cats and open balconies can be a very dangerous mix. Usually, cats who fall from balconies have a fractured jaw, their bladder may burst, their diaphragm may rupture or they may have broken bones. Piper was lucky not to have any of these.

We recommend for all apartment cats to be indoor cats. Cats are very agile and they can slip, be startled or try to chase a passing bird, which can have disastrous consequences on an open balcony. A fully enclosed balcony is great, but if you don’t have one you can still give your cat a great quality of life indoors by providing lots of enrichment like toys, hiding areas, scratching posts and cat trees.” 

Stewy was one of the most anxious dogs our animal attendants had ever met. He was terrified of every noise and movement. When people came to see him in his kennel he’d freeze and stare or hide in his crate. He refused to leave the driveway to go for a walk.

It’s not clear what happened in Stewy’s past to make him so anxious, but when he came into our care in October 2020, our team was determined to transform his future.

Our animal attendants worked with Stewy every day to earn his trust, keeping him company in his kennel and giving him treats when he was brave and accepted a pat or came onto the street.

Progress was slow, but over time, Stewy formed bonds with animal attendants and volunteers and started showing his affectionate side, cuddling with them and jumping in excitement when they came to say hello. He started coming into the courtyard every afternoon for playtime and went home with staff on the weekends.

Once Stewy was confident with select people, we introduced him to a friendly dog and discovered he loves canine company. We paired him with other dog residents to play, and occasionally, they would encourage him to go for a walk. 

We saw huge improvements in Stewy, but after three months in our care, it was clear he wasn’t suited to the shelter environment and needed to find a home away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

We contacted Dunroamin Animal Rescue in southern NSW who have previously rehomed some of our dogs who need a country home. They had a space ready for Stewy with one of their foster carers.

SDCH animal attendant Natalie, who had formed a close bond with Stewy, drove him five hours south, where Dunroamin picked him up for his new life. Natalie said, “there were some tears shed!”

Stewy went into a foster home with Dianna where progress was slow. There were sleepless nights, but Dianna never once gave up on Stewy. After hearing about how he responded to other canines, she borrowed a friend’s dog and we’re told that worked a treat on his confidence.

But Stewy’s new doggy friend couldn’t stay forever, so Dunroamin sent one of their dogs into foster with Stewy and he’s thrilled with his new friend.

Not long ago, Dianna adopted Stewy! Stewy may never be a dog who is confident in a busy setting, but with his new understanding and patient owner, we’re confident he’s going to have a very comfortable life! 

We had a very heartwarming and unusual adoption in March, where Narla the Staffy (previously Jane) was reunited with her family after being lost for nine months! 

In June last year, Narla was staying with a family friend and their dogs on the Central Coast while her owner Tammie and her husband were relocating to QLD. One day Narla and her canine friends got out and went missing. Her friends made it back home, but Narla couldn’t be found. 

Nine months later, Tammie’s friend was looking to adopt a dog and noticed there was a Staffy with a striking resemblance to Narla on our website, with the same scar across her face. When Tammie saw the picture, she was certain it was her long-lost dog.

Tammie was eager to bring Narla home, so she booked a flight to fly her to QLD. When Narla touched down and was reunited with Tammie and her husband, it was clear she missed her family – her whole body started to wiggle!

Narla has since made herself at home in QLD and is back into the swing of things with her Chihuahua and English Staffy siblings. Tammie said, “it was like they’d never been apart.” She really enjoys her trips to the beach to run in the water and play with her canine companions. After lots of playtime at the Home, she’s also formed a new love of toy balls!

When Milo was brought in by a council ranger at only 10-weeks-old, he was terrified. He would hide behind bowls and boxes when approached and would completely freeze when handled.

After health checks, Milo was sent straight into foster care with our Reception Team Leader Kylie to help minimise stress. Kylie quickly noticed he would come out of his shell when he heard her other cat vocalise. Milo would even talk back!

“He started purring when he saw my cat,” Kylie said. 

“We persevered with my cat who didn’t really like him, but whenever he walked into the room, Milo came forward and was a different kitten. He would eat in front of me, give slow blinks and reach his paw out to touch my cat.”

Shortly after Milo went into foster care, a kitten named Roro arrived at the Home. Roro was playful and confident – a perfect influence for Milo. So Milo and Roro were introduced and sent into a foster home with Karin, one of our experienced carers.

Karin was a perfect fit, as she already has a laidback, confident cat named Mia, who she adopted from the Home a year prior. 

For the first two weeks, Milo seemed a bit confused about the concept of toys and playtime. But with Roro and Mia there to show him the ropes, he’s come to love batting around his jingle balls. 

After over two months in foster care, Milo transformed from a scaredy-cat who was terrified of people to a young man who enjoys being picked up and held. Most of all, he loves playing with his foster sibling Roro.

Milo and Roro went up for adoption as a bonded pair and found the perfect home! They were adopted on 19 April by one of our long-term foster carers who is studying to be a vet. Milo and Roro are the family’s second and third cats from the Home, having adopted from us 11 years ago. Given their experience and knowledge of cat health and behaviour, they’re a fantastic match!