RSPCA Inspector Profile - Claudia Jones

We interview RSPCA Inspector Claudia Jones about her time with the RSPCA NSW:

When did you become an RSPCA Inspector? Why? I've worked for the RSPCA for nearly four years and started as an Inspector 14 months ago. I wanted to be an Inspector to help animals that weren't being properly cared for.  An Inspector's role is to educate people on how to best care for their animals, especially those that aren't being cared for properly. We also get called upon to assist with animal rescues.

What is the best part of your job?

Saving animals from those who don't take care of them properly and then seeing the animal be rehomed to a
loving new family.

What is the worst part of your job?

The fact that not all animals we save survive or can be rehomed.

What is your typical day?Each day is different. I could help a kitten stuck in a wall, then go to a pet shop to inspect the animals and visit a premises to check on a complaint. Although these jobs are very different, they are just as important as each other.

Have you adopted any animals?

Yes! I have two dogs, two moggy cats, a frog and lots of different foster animals. The dogs are called Phil (a boxer cross) and Ruby (a boxer); the cats are Basil and Jemmi; the frog is called Trafford!

Who do you admire?

The late John Aspinall. The Aspinall Foundation is devoted to the conservation of endangered species and returning them to protected areas in the wild.

I also think that all the RSPCA supporters, Members, Volunteers and staff are heroes! This is because the Inspectors can't work alone; we need everyone's help to carry out our work.

RSPCA Adoption Story - from Tamworth to Alice Springs!

Charlie the Lab and new owner Emma in Alice Springs

The RSPCA is used to rehoming animals to areas near our RSPCA Shelters, Volunteer Branches and the RSPCA Care Centre at Rouse Hill. But sometimes the love is so strong that it even crosses borders - as was the case with the adoption story of Charlie (nee Kate), a female labrador who was in foster care at the RSPCA Tamworth Volunteer Branch and who was adopted by her new mum Emma and rehomed to Alice Springs.

"I was looking for a companion for my dog that was sometimes getting lonely when I was at work (I'm a police officer)", Emma writes in an email. "I was looking for a Labrador and found her on the RSPCA's Adopt A Pet website (http://www.adoptapet.com.au/). I had originally found a Labrador at RSPCA Albury Volunteer Branch that I liked - but it had been adopted when I called to enquire."

Emma then found Charlie, who was in foster care at RSPCA Tamworth. Charlie had a very unfortunate start to life. As a puppy her previous owners dumped her in the street with a broken leg. Charlie had been loved and cared for by RSPCA Tamworth, and despite suffering from a 'frozen' knee joint (that prevents her from bending her nearside hind leg) was in good health and featured on Adopt A Pet to find a new home.

"Charlie flew from Tamworth to Alice Springs all in one day (a big day for her!)." writes Emma, "She's fit in beautifully and we all love her. Charlie and Gromit (my other dog who is 9 and also a RSPCA dog!) have gotten along since their very first meeting. They play together, go for walks together and have a great time together. All of my animals are from the RSPCA. So I'm a real believer in adopting from the RSPCA."

The RSPCA NSW thanks Emma for her continued support of the RSPCA and for choosing to adopt from our Shelters and Volunteer Branches. We wish her, Charlie and Gromit all the best in their new home together!

To view animals currently available for adoption, please visit http://www.adoptapet.com.au/
RSPCA NSW

Please note: Interstate adoptions are treated very seriously by the RSPCA. Each potential adopter is screened by RSPCA staff or Branch Volunteer Presidents/Coordinators. In some instances potential adopters may be required to visit the animal at their location of care (at the potential adopters' cost). Premisis checks will also be required and this will be organised in conjunction with the RSPCA member society at the point of destination.

Cost of transporting the adoption animal interstate is usually the responsibility of the adopter. RSPCA NSW would like to thank Jetpets (http://www.jetpets.com.au/) and Qantas (http://www.qantas.com.au/) for their continued support of the RSPCA NSW and for providing assistance with animal transportation.

Happy animal adoption story from our visit to the AMP Foundation Expo

Talia (now 'Ulli'), happy in her new home.

In Feburary, the RSPCA NSW visited the wonderful staff at AMP to participate in the AMP Foundation Expo.

The AMP Foundation is the AMP’s charity program which matches staff donations to charities like the RSPCA dollar for dollar. Where the venue is appropriate, we often take a dog along with us that is available for adoption from one of our shelters, to give them a nice day out with lots of mental stimulation and so that workplaces can meet and connect with the animals that we care for. On this occasion we brought Talia, a female Mastiff cross, to the AMP Foundation Expo. At the Expo Talia enjoyed lots of affection from AMP employees, but most especially from another charity that was present - The Red Cross. Ian from the Red Cross immediately fell in love with Talia and decided to adopt her from the RSPCA!

Ian recently sent us an email and a photo of Talia (now called 'Ulli') who is very happy in her new forever home:

“Hello and thank you for the lovely chew treat and Ulli’s favourite tiger toy and chew rope. It was very nice of you. Ulli, (sounds like 'pulley') has settled right in and is ruling the roost. Or at least she thinks so. She is doing very well and has put on 5 kg and 5cm in two weeks. She really enjoys her walkies and is starting to do really well with 'sit', 'stay' and 'heel' after only this short time.

She asked me to forward on this pic of her. When she arrived her ears still only stood half way up but after four days they stood all the way up. So cute to see the transition.”

A big thank you to Ian, the Red Cross and the AMP Foundation (http://www.amp.com.au/) for a fantastic Expo and for all helping to rehome one of our adoption dogs.

RSPCA NSW

RSPCA animals Magazine - Mark Lizotte and Rufus

Are you an RSPCA NSW member? All members receive three copies of animals magazine. Filled with pet care advice, latest RSPCA NSW news and events, and celebrities - our next issue (out early March) features an article on Mark Lizotte (aka Diesel) and his six-year-old mini Schnauzer, Rufus.

Back in January2008, Rufus suffered a slipped disc (invertible disc extrusion) and complete paralysis of the back legs. After surgery and a month in veterinary care, Rufus returned home in a new mode of transportation, a cart.

“When it first happened I thought, ‘Are we being selfish?’ But we knew it was the right thing to do – Rufus is such a happy dog.”  said Lizotte.

To become a member of RSPCA NSW call 02 9782 4481, email member@rspcansw.org.au or visit http://www.rspcansw.org.au/ - $30 a year includes three copies of animals, a copy of our annual report, special discounts and offers.

RSPCA Supporter Laura J. creates an ad for Choose Wisely

 

Laura J.'s RSPCA Choose Wisely advertisement
(click to enlarge)

An RSPCA Supporter and Twitter follower, Laura J., recently sent us an advertisement she created, as part of her Award School studies, for our RSPCA Choose Wisely campaign.

"The brief was, create an advertisement for something you're passionate about." said Laura . J, "So I was going with the concept that you choose your meals wisely when you're looking at a menu, but what if factors other than taste come into play - like the mental state of the animal?"

Laura J.'s advertisement cleverly touches upon the dire living conditions animals endure through intensive farming systems and the need for the public to think carefully and choose wisely when ordering and purchasing their food.

For more information about the RSPCA Choose Wisely campaign, please visit:

http://www.choosewisely.org.au/

RSPCA Supports International Women's Day

Every year 8 March is International Women's Day, and everyday RSPCA NSW supports women* and their children to live a life free from fear and abuse. By arranging secure and affordable emergency pet accommodation, RSPCA NSW aims to assist in empowering women and their children to escape domestic violence through their Safe Beds for Pets program.

"Large numbers of family members in domestic violence situations have pets," said the RSPCA NSW Safe Beds for Pets Coordinator. "Sadly, these pets often become directly involved in domestic violence, as abuse of a pet is a tactic commonly used to control, hurt and intimidate the victim. Fear of leaving pets in the hands of a violent partner often prevents or delays victim's leaving a domestic violence situation."

In fact, Australian studies have indicated that between 50-85% of women who experienced domestic violence had a family pet and that 54% of abused women indicated that their partner had hurt or killed their family pets. Many victims of domestic violence delay leaving the abusive relationship because of fear of what will happen to their pets.

The Safe Beds for Pets program was established to arrange temporary housing for pets of people who are seeking refuge from domestic violence and to address the link between animal and human abuse, and child protection.

"Since the start of this financial year, the program has arranged for the care of 98 pets of domestic violence victims. Arranging safe accommodation for these pets allowed their owners to seek safe refuge themselves without having to worry about of the fate of their pets if left behind in an abusive situation."

"This program is not a long-term solution to the housing of the pets, but it gives domestic violence victims peace of mind and allows them to secure their own safety and make arrangements for the future."

Who is eligible for Safe Beds for Pets?

Safe Beds for Pets is specifically designed to help victims of domestic violence. RSPCA NSW has established partnerships with Domestic Violence victim support services who act as referral agencies for women needing to access this program.

RSPCA NSW also participates in training with domestic violence agencies (for family violence, child protection and animal welfare issues).

What does it cost?

All cases will be assessed on an individual basis. The Safe Beds for Pets program is not government funded and relies on donations and grants for support.

Did you know?

* One in three Australian women experiencing domestic violence delay leaving the abusive relationship because of fear of what will happen to their pets.

* Witnessing pet abuse may interrupt a child's natural development of empathy and contribute to the cycle of violence.

* Over a third of people in the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (GLBTI) community experience domestic violence or abuse.

Thanks to the Becher Foundation

RSPCA NSW would like to sincerely thank the Becher Foundation for their recent, generous donation of $50,000 to support the Safe Beds for Pets program. The Becher Foundation is a small private philanthropic organisation founded in 2004 dedicated to fostering a humane, tolerant society that respects diversity and encourages inclusion.

For more information about the RSPCA NSW Safe Beds for Pets program, please email safebeds@rspcansw.org.au or call the Safe Beds for Pets Helpline on 0434 258 259. The Helpline operators are trained and experienced in dealing with domestic violence issues.

*The majority of victims of domestic violence are women and children. However this program is also open to male victims of domestic violence.

RSPCA NSW thanks Dulux

RSPCA NSW would like to sincerely thank Dulux for their support of the RSPCA and the animals in our care.

Dulux held a special fundraising promotion for the RSPCA during the course of 2009 - purchase any 10 litre or 2x4 litre cans of Wash & Wear, Weathershield or Once from Dulux and $2 will come to the RSPCA.

Dulux presented their cheque of $30, 702 in donations to RSPCA Senior Veterinarian Kate Mills who gratefully accepted the donation on behalf of the RSPCA NSW.

RSPCA NSW would like to thank Dulux for their support and to the public for contributing to the donation through their Dulux purchases.