Chestnut the Staffy Saves Poisoned Puppy

Chestnut the Staffy saved a Kelpie puppy’s life last week, after providing a blood donation to help cure the effects of rat bait poisoning.

The 10-week-old puppy named Blu had been rushed to the vet hospital next door, where they discovered she had consumed rat bait poison before she was purchased, and was suffering breathing difficulties and internal bleeding that would normally be fatal.

Blu desperately needed a blood donation, so the vet hospital made an urgent call to Sydney Dogs & Cats Home, and our vet team sent over Chestnut the Staffy.

Sydney Dogs & Cats Home Animal Care Manager Renae said it was a carefully considered decision to send Chestnut to help save Blu.

“We of course made certain that Chestnut’s health and welfare would not be compromised by donating blood and we provided all the care and support she needed to recover,” she said.

This was an unusual situation for us but we’re glad that we could help save the life of a young pup. There is a real shortage of animal blood donors so we would encourage all pet owners to consider whether their pet could donate blood and be a hero too,” she said.

Thanks to Chestnut’s blood donation, Blu has been in full health and is keeping her owner Corey on his toes with her newfound energy.

Chestnut has also recovered well and has since been happily chewing away at the veggie pigs ears kindly donated by Blu’s owner Corey.

Corey has also enquired about adopting Chestnut, but she’s had to respectfully decline as she prefers to be spoilt as the only dog in the home.

After rescuing Blu, Chestnut herself is looking to be rescued! She’s Sydney Dogs & Cats Home’s longest-standing canine resident currently in care, having arrived as a lost dog in December.

Chestnut may be short in stature, but she’s big in personality and has lots of energy for walks and adventures.

To enquire about adopting the very brave Chestnut, visit her adoption profile: https://sydneydogsandcatshome.org/animal/chestnut/

UPDATE: Chestnut was adopted in early April!

Vaughn’s Return and Earn Fundraiser

An 11-year old South Sydney boy named Vaughn has collected over 3,000 recyclable containers since June to Return and Earn for Sydney Dogs & Cats Home.

Vaughn’s fundraiser started as a collections box in his front yard, quickly growing into a community initiative, with locals like Mark Coure MP hearing word and making donations.

Vaughn’s mother Barbara said Facebook and her existing connections were key in the success of the fundraising drive.

“We posted about it in a local community group Mark Coure was part of and he got the ball rolling, visiting our home with some money to put towards Vaughn’s drive,” she said.

“I’m a teacher and had some connections already, so I made some calls to get the community involved.”

Locals including Councillor Sam Elmir, Councillor Sandy Grekas, Kogarah Cougars Rugby League Club, Cup and Cook Kyle Bay and Gavan Property got involved with Vaughn’s drive, donating recyclable containers and money.

Vaughn said the fundraiser was part of a school project to serve his community, so he chose to help the charity who helped get his dog home in 2018.

“Our dog wouldn’t stop jumping over the fence and when she was lost, unlike other pounds, Sydney Dogs & Cats Home wouldn’t rest until she was home,” he said.

Vaughn’s drive earned $500, with each container earning 10c at Return and Earn points in NSW.

Sydney Dogs & Cats Home General Manager Mark Hearnden said the shelter is extremely grateful for Vaughn’s fundraiser.

“We were so excited to hear about Vaughn’s drive, especially how it has been bringing the community together to support our shelter and its furry residents,” he said.

“As we’re Sydney’s only charity pound and community facility, every dollar Vaughn has donated is going to make a huge difference for the lost, abandoned and often neglected pets who come through our doors.”

Vaughn’s fundraiser ended on 31 October, but he is excited to make it bigger and better next year.

Vaughn will soon visit Sydney Dogs & Cats Home to meet some of the furry residents and see his donation in action.

Published 3 November 2020

Pet Food Brings Shelter and Love

Pamela was an underweight stray, needing attention, love and a home. The three year old Australian Kelpie cross found the support she needed at Sydney Dogs and Cats Home with staff and volunteers giving her professional care and healthy meals of Hill’s Pet Nutrition’s Science Diet. Pamela now has a second chance at life and is waiting to be adopted by her forever family.

The tan-coloured pooch is one of the many animals of SDCH which Hill’s Pet Nutrition has been helping feed since becoming their major food sponsor in 2013. Together with SDCH supporter, PetO, Hill’s are launching ‘Food, Shelter, Love’ – an initiative to raise vital funds for the not for profit shelter.

From 13th February to 25th February, $5 from every bag or tray of Hill’s Science Diet dog or cat food sold at PetO stores or at the shelter will be donated directly to SDCH. The funds raised will be an incredible support to Sydney’s only charity pound which takes in over 3300 lost and abandoned pets each year.

A similar initiative last year raised over $9,000 for the Home and this year, Hill’s and PetO are hoping to top that by reaching $10,000.

“We cannot thank Hill’s and PetO enough for their amazing work to support our Home,” says Amanda Stokes, Head of Fundraising and Partnerships at SDCH, “We believe in giving the animals which come in to our Home the best possible care during their stay and this kind of support means that we have access to the resources we need to help these animals and support them in successfully being reunited or rehomed.”

As part of ‘Food, Shelter, Love’, Hill’s will be packing up the BBQs and heading to PetO stores across Sydney on Saturday 17^th February for a day of sausage sizzles, with all money raised contributing to their $10K goal.

“Our many years of partnering with Sydney Dogs and Cats Home has enabled them access to the benefits of great tasting nutrition allowing the animals to find their forever homes much faster,” says Hill’s Customer Development Manager, Samantha Schooley. “In turn, SDCH can focus efforts on their valuable animal welfare and community work.”

“We are impressed by the energy and care with which they conduct their operations, as well as their integrity in managing the responsible adoption of animals,” says Nick Greenhalgh, Owner and Director at PetO, “We chose to work with SDCH as their values are aligned with that of our organization,”

SDCH never places a time limit on any animals awaiting adoption and the organisation relies on donations to care for animals like Pamela and assist them with their transition from strays to adoptable pets ready to find their new homes.

PetO and Hill’s encourage pet owners to top up their furry companions’ food supplies during the two week period to support their fundraising efforts and of course, treat themselves at the sausage sizzles for a good cause.

Sausage sizzles will be held at all Sydney PetO stores from 10am – 3pm on Saturday 17^th February. SDCH volunteers will be there on the day to chat about their shelter and collect donations.

Find your local PetO store here.

Preventative Health Care At SDCH Secured By Zoetis

SDCH is pleased to announce their new partnership with global animal health company, Zoetis.

Zoetis is committed to producing high quality and vital health care treatments for animals including preventative medicines like vaccine and parasite treatments, Revolution® and Simparica®. The partnership will see Zoetis supply all the preventative health care needs for Sydney’s lost and abandoned pets entering the shelter during 2018. The donation of supplies is valued at over $200,000 and will make a significant impact on the shelter’s work to provide animals with a second chance.

Shelter Vet, Christine Cole says, “This incredible support will make a huge difference to the lives of the animals in our care, and also means the funds raised throughout the year for our charity pound can be redirected to other vital aspects of our work.”

Each animal in SDCH care will be protected against fleas, heartworm and other nasties with Revolution® to ensure parasites are not a discomfort or a detriment to the animal’s health.

Mister arrived at SDCH in October 2017 as a stray from the Bayside Council area. The large white Domestic Medium Hair cat came through our doors in a poor condition with a number of health issues. As well as providing Mister with the veterinary care he needed, Christine administered the regular treatment plan of Zoetis vaccines and flea and heartworm treatment, Revolution®. Mister was soon healthy enough to be ready for adoption and is now living the life of luxury with a loving forever family.

The partnership with Zoetis will ensure that every one of the animals coming in through SDCH’s doors, just like Mister, will be supported on a healthy journey to finding new homes.

Head here to win a 6 month supply of Zoetis preventative health care treatment for your dog and cats!

Cats Paw-ing In This Kitten Season

School holidays with two young boys has meant a lot of loud rough and tumble, but having a cat around the home has brought out the boys’ nurturing side and delivers calm and quiet moments.

It’s one of the benefits Lucy Paton has found after the family adopted two kittens from Sydney Dogs and Cats Home.

Mrs Paton has also discovered that it’s not just the boys who benefit from spending time with the kittens. “As a mother of two and running my own business, I’m always on the go,” she said, “but the cats make me stop and take time out.”

While the holiday period winds down and kids go back to school for the new year, “kitten season”, which occurs during the warmer months, continues for Sydney Dogs and Cats Home (SDCH) with an ongoing influx of cats and kittens arriving at their doors.

Mrs Paton, her husband and their two boys, Ty (8) and Sonny (6) welcomed their two tabbies, Charlie and Chilli, into their home just as kitten season began. After a tradition of asking for a new cuddly toy each birthday, 6 year old Sonny decided he wanted something real to cuddle, so the family started researching pet options.

They decided cats would suit their lifestyle and their unit home, and after seeing a story about the rescue of an abandoned kitten, the Paton family decided adopting a rescue kitten was exactly what they were after.

Sydney Dogs and Cats Home is expecting to take in over 850 cats and kittens in during the season and have so far adopted and fostered out close to 120 felines, with another 20 lost cats being reunited with their owners.

As not everyone is able to help out by adopting or fostering a cat, SDCH launched LoveCats, an initiative in which anyone can get involved to help out the Home during kitten season.

Since December, SDCH has been asking supporters to send in origami mice which will be given to the cats and kittens as toys during their stay. Toys are essential enrichment to help maintain an animal’s mental and physical wellbeing.

The Home does not place time limits on any animal awaiting adoption, so the time a cat will stay at the shelter can vary, which is why SDCH do all they can to ensure all their animals remain comfortable and are given the best possible care while they wait for a loving family like the Patons.

Help the cats of SDCH by adopting or fostering this kitten season or head to our LoveCats page to make an origami mouse for a kitten in need of playtime!

Make A Friend For Cats In Need These Holidays

Two 10 week old rescue kittens, Chester and Mia are doing a very important job for Sydney Dogs and Cats Home (SDCH). They are road testing the latest cat toys to hit the charity pound since SDCH’s call out to the community to make origami mice for the felines in their care.

It’s a far cry from where they were a month ago when they were spotted running towards a busy highway in Kogarah, hungry and crying out for mum’s milk.
Since being rescued, the pair has been receiving round the clock care through SDCH’s foster care program and will soon be made available for adoption to find their forever home.

In the meantime, the origami mice are keeping them occupied. “Toys play an important role in a kitten’s development,” says SDCH’s Animal Care Manager, Renae Jackson, “They are a great form of enrichment which keep cats active and maintain their mental and physical health.”

And the reason for the origami? “We need disposable toys for disease control as sadly there is an extremely contagious and deadly virus, known as Feline Panleukopenia Virus (FPV) out there which is affecting cats across the country,” says Ms Jackson, “so we’ve needed to take strong measures to ensure our residents are safe.”

Sydney Dogs and Cats Home sees 3000 lost and abandoned animals enter its doors each year. Relying on the generosity of donors, the Home works to provide the best possible care for the animals during their stay before reuniting them with their owners, or rehoming them to loving families.

They never place a time limit on any animal awaiting adoption, and at this time of year, the small 71 year old shelter can get very busy. The summer months, known as “kitten season” see an increase in the number of cats coming in to the SDCH, which is why this simple, yet effective call out for origami mice is so vital.

After a solid session of play, the paper toys have received a purr of approval from Chester and Mia. “The more origami mice being sent in to the Home, the merrier the cats,” says Ms Jackson, “It’s also a great option for reusing all that Christmas wrapping!”

Want to get creative to help the cats of SDCH? Join the LoveCats Gang today.

Paw-Some Party Raises Thousands For Lost And Abandoned Pets

There was not a dry eye in the Grand Ballroom of the Hilton on Saturday night as 350 people watched the transformation of Melody from a neglected, malnourished stray at the doors of Sydney Dogs and Cats Home, to a healthy and bright pooch living in a loving home with her adopted family.

The 12 year old Pointer was the star of a video shown to guests of Sydney Dogs and Cats Home (SDCH)’s black tie Annual Fundraising Gala which saw close to $100K raised for the charity pound.

“We’re absolutely thrilled with the result of the evening”, says Stuart Paine, General Manager of Sydney Dogs and Cats Home, “Not only was the Gala a success in terms of funds raised, but a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our ongoing achievements and to recognise and acknowledge the support shown to us by the community.”

Melody’s story is just one of many with the Home opening its doors to around 3000 animals each year. The vital work done by SDCH not only includes responsibly reuniting and rehoming lost and abandoned pets, but also providing services to the community such as visits to aged care facilities and support through experiences for people living with mental illness and disabilities.

The Home believes that true love takes time, never placing time limits on any animal awaiting adoption and working to make each animal’s stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible is vital.

The entertainment for the Gala started with guests being wowed upon arrival by The BlackTies magicians while The Australian Army Band kept up the party atmosphere along with engaging and energetic host, SDCH Ambassador, Sam Mac from Channel 7’s Sunrise. Special guest performer, J. R. Reyne, was a hit, with guests moving straight to the dance floor and singing along.

Live and silent auctions, as well as a lucky dip, raffle and lucky door prize arranged with the support of sponsors and organisations donating their services to help SDCH meet their fundraising goals.

Such generosity is what SDCH relies on to keep their doors open to help animals like Melody and, as they believe that true love can take time, they never place time limits on any animal awaiting adoption. The support of the community means the Home can work to make each animal’s stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible to give them the best possible outlook for their second chance at life.

“We really appreciate the support shown”, says Mr Paine, “It is wonderful and humbling to see so many people dig deep to help put us in a great place to move forward with our plans to expand our work.”

For animal lovers who were unable to make it to the Gala and who would like to support SDCH care for lost and abandoned pets, they can make a donation via the charity’s website: https://sydneydogsandcatshome.org/donate/

Over $9,000 Raised For Lost and Abandoned Animals

Lilly is looking for love. The tabby and white feline enjoys the company of people and has been waiting patiently at Sydney Dogs and Cats Home (SDCH) for the perfect person to take her home.

She has fought through some medical issues with the support of staff and volunteers at SDCH, and after 12 weeks at the shelter and becoming one of their long-standing residents, she may have finally found her forever family.

Lilly has been adopted on a trial basis, which is an option offered by SDCH to allow both the animals and their potential new families time to know if they’re making the right decision. It is part of the charity pound’s belief that “true love can take time”, which is also why they do not place any time limits on animals awaiting adoption.

Lilly is just one of many unique individuals taken in by the Home in Carlton, and thanks to the generous support of Hill’s Pet Nutrition, PetO and their customers, a total of $9,120 has been raised to help SDCH and the 3000+ animals which head in through their doors each year.

Over the course of two weeks, $5 from every Hill’s Science Diet product sold at PetO stores was donated to Sydney Dogs and Cats Home, with dedicated fundraising events raising further funds and awareness of SDCH’s work and their need for community support.

“We cannot thank Hill’s and PetO enough for their amazing work to raise over $9,000 for our Home, which completely surpassed the original goal of $7,000,” says Amanda Stokes, Head of Fundraising and Partnerships at SDCH,

“We believe in giving the animals which come in to our care a second chance at life and this kind of support means that we have access to the resources we need to help these animals be successfully reunited or rehomed.”

It is this dedication to the care for the animals at SDCH, which has kept PetO committed to continue their long association of Sydney Dogs and Cats Home.

“We chose to work with SDCH as their values are aligned with that of our organization,” says Nick Greenhalgh, Owner and Director at PetO, “We are impressed by the energy and care with which they conduct their operations, as well as their integrity in managing the responsible adoption of animals.”

Hill’s Pet Nutrition’s mission is to help enrich and lengthen the special relationship between people and pets.

“Our many years of partnering with Sydney Dogs and Cats Home has enabled them access to the benefits of great tasting nutrition allowing the animals to find their forever home much faster,” says Hill’s Customer Development Manager, Samantha Schooley. “In turn, SDCH can focus efforts on their valuable animal welfare and community work.”

This has been evident in Lilly’s case, with Hill’s Science Diet helping bring her to optimal health and ready to take on this exciting new stage of her journey.

“We rely on the generosity of the community through donations which directly contribute to providing animals like Lilly the treatment, comfort and enrichment they require during their stay at the Home and to assist with their transition to life outside the shelter,” says Ms Stokes, “With donor support, SDCH is able to continue the vital work we do to help the lost and abandoned animals of Sydney.”

If you would like to join Hill’s and PetO in showing support for our Home, please donate here.

Purr-fect Night To Support Animals In Need

Melody, a once homeless and severely malnourished 12 year old Pointer dog, is relying on someone to win a holiday to Samoa.

A luxurious 5 night resort getaway is just one of the many exciting prizes on offer at Sydney Dogs and Cats Home’s Annual Fundraising Gala on the night of the 18th November.

The black tie dinner, which will be held at the Grand Ballroom of Sydney’s Hilton, is to celebrate Sydney Dogs and Cats Home (SDCH)’s achievements over the past year and to raise funds to continue their vital work in reuniting and rehoming Sydney’s lost and abandoned pets while providing meaningful experiences for those in our community who need it most.

Fortunately for Melody, donations to Sydney’s only charity pound have supported her journey back to a healthy weight and, having received special love and attention with one of the Home’s foster carers, she has now settled in at her forever home.

However Melody is only one of over 3300 animals entering SDCH’s doors this year alone, and with the shelter never placing time limits on any animal awaiting adoption, the support to maintain operations and make each animal’s stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible is vital.

Now SDCH are asking people to “powder their noses and preen their coats” and dig deep on their special night of nights.

“Last year’s 70th Anniversary Gala was a huge success with 320 guests attending with a net result of over $90,000 raised,” says Wendy Langley, President of the SDCH Committee of Management. “These wonderful results would not have been possible without the overwhelming support we received on the night.”

Planning for the event is well under way with The Australian Army Band and The Black Tie Magicians set to entertain guests, along with a, yet to be announced, special guest.

Live and silent auctions, as well as a raffle and a lucky door prize, have been arranged with the support of sponsors and organisations donating their services to help SDCH meet their fundraising goals.

Sydney Dogs and Cats Home Ambassador, Sam Mac from Channel 7’s Sunrise is proud to be once again hosting the evening for the second year, “Every time I have hosted an event for Sydney Dogs and Cats Home, whether it be for 30 people or 400 people, it’s always a great crowd as everyone has that common thread of caring for animals and wanting to support a great cause, and while we are dealing with what can be a serious topic, it’s a fun night as everyone has such a positive attitude.”

SDCH are hoping significant funds will be raised to support the continuation of their animal welfare programs, as well as their pivotal community services, including aged care initiatives, disability care programs, school and higher education assistance and community service programs.

“Our last Gala allowed us to feel very positive and excited about our bright future,” says Ms Langley, “We are hoping this year’s dinner will create the same atmosphere and deliver even bigger results.”

Sydney Dogs and Cats Home Annual Fundraising Gala
Saturday 18^th November
6:30pm – 11:30pm
Grand Ballroom, The Hilton, Sydney
Tickets: $195 pp; $1950 per table of ten

For more information and tickets: https://sydneydogsandcatshome.org/gala/

Event partners include Benny and the Pets, Les Nereides, Seabreeze Resort Samoa, 4C Recruitment, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Kwik Kopy Bondi Junction, Premium Beverages, Signature Wines, The Black Ties Magicians, Carlsberg, Coopers, Hudson McHugh, Jamala Wildlife Lodge, The Ken Done Gallery, MM Photos, Parker’s, Precipice Films, Givergy, Eden Corporate Travel, For The People, Paradise Fiji & Select Touring.

Pet Food Buys Support For Lost and Abandoned Animals

PetO and Hill’s Pet Nutrition are encouraging pet owners to top up their furry friends’ food supplies over the next two weeks to support fundraising for Sydney Dogs and Cats Home (SDCH) and to promote the importance of good nutrition for their beloved animals.

Disney, a three year old Shar Pei arrived at Sydney Dogs and Cats Home as a malnourished stray with multiple health issues, including mange and an incredibly painful eye condition.

With the vet team performing a delicate operation to correct his eye condition, the rest of staff and volunteers at SDCH worked solidly for weeks to bring Disney up to a healthy weight using Hill’s Science Diet to which his body responded positively.

“The support from Hill’s has been vital to the work we do here at Sydney Dogs and Cats Home,” says Amanda Stokes, Head of Fundraising and Partnerships. “We do not place time limits on any animal awaiting adoption as we believe true love takes time.”

For Disney, his second chance came from the love and support of the staff and volunteers at SDCH. As his health improved, his joyful personality came through and he was later adopted by one of the volunteers who had worked so hard to care for him.

It is this dedication to the care for the animals at SDCH, which has kept PetO committed to continue their long association of Sydney Dogs and Cats Home.

Hill’s Pet Nutrition’s mission is to help enrich and lengthen the special relationship between people and pets. “Our many years of partnering with Sydney Dogs and Cats Home has enabled them access to the benefits of great tasting nutrition allowing the animals to find their forever home much faster,” says Hill’s Customer Development Manager, Samantha Schooley. “In turn, SDCH can focus efforts on their valuable animal welfare and community work.”

Between 19th September and 3rdOctober, $5 from every Hill’s product sold at participating PetO stores will be donated directly to SDCH. It is hoped that the fundraising initiative will bring in $7000 for Sydney’s only charity pound responsibly reuniting and rehoming lost and abandoned pets.

“We rely on the generosity of the community through donations”, says Ms Stokes, “The support of PetO, Hill’s and their customers will contribute to enhancing our resources and the vital work that we do to help the lost and abandoned animals of Sydney.”

While PetO are encouraging the sale of Hill’s pet goodies, two-legged family members can also treat themselves with a BBQ lunch at each participating store over the weekend of 23rd and 24th September. SDCH volunteers will be located at each of the stores to greet customers and collect donations.

To find your nearest Pet-O store, visit http://peto.com.au/store-locator-contact-us/

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Category Archives: Media Release

Chestnut the Staffy Saves Poisoned Puppy

Vaughn’s Return and Earn Fundraiser

Pet Food Brings Shelter and Love

Preventative Health Care At SDCH Secured By Zoetis

Cats Paw-ing In This Kitten Season

Make A Friend For Cats In Need These Holidays

Paw-Some Party Raises Thousands For Lost And Abandoned Pets

Over $9,000 Raised For Lost and Abandoned Animals

Purr-fect Night To Support Animals In Need

Pet Food Buys Support For Lost and Abandoned Animals

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