Hoppers Crossing resident Alice Jones, pictured with her adoring pet labrador and foster dog, is a volunteer at the Pets Haven Pro Life Animal Shelter in Woodend. 71849 Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT
By Alesha Capone
ALICE Jones has encouraged Wyndham residents to desex their pet dogs and cats to help cut down on the rate of unwanted animals that end up at shelters.
The Hoppers Crossing resident enjoys making a difference in the life of a cats and dogs who have been abandoned, stray or had a tough life.
For the past 18 months, she has volunteered at the Pets Haven Pro Life Animal Shelter in Woodend.
The not-for-profit facility re-homes cats, kittens, dogs and puppies who are no longer wanted by their owners or who would otherwise be put down in a pound.
“At the moment we have 54 puppies, including nine King Charles Cavalier and Poodle crosses, pure-bred German shepherds, cattle dogs just about ready to go, whippets and greyhounds,” Ms Jones said.
“Volunteering at Pets Haven, I know it’s also important to desex a pet, because 20,000 healthy dogs and cats are put down around Australia every year because no-one wants them.”
Ms Jones said many shelters, not only Pets Haven, were often “inundated with litters of kittens”.
She said cat breeding season was approaching and anyone with a feline that needs neutering should make a vet appointment soon, to stop the feral cat population from growing.
Ms Jones said Pets Haven, which relies on donations, sometimes has trouble making ends meet, but kind-hearted people often helped out with donations.
“We got to the stage last week where we ran out of food, which is where social networking is so useful,” she said.
“We put the call out on Facebook and a lady came with a carload of food and the Ararat Hotel donated $500 worth of food.”
Ms Jones’s latest foster pet, a dog called Wongty, was adopted by a new family last week.
“I cry when I have to give them away, like I started to cry when I found out this one has been adopted, but I’ve done the best I could for him,” Ms Jones said.
To make a donation or see animals up for adoption, contact Pets Haven on 5427 3603 or see www.petshaven.com.au
