MARCH 2017 MILLION PAWS WALK Animal Welfare Matters in the WA State Election ON THE ROAD WITH INSPECTOR FIONA

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1 MARCH 2017 MILLION PAWS WALK 2017 Animal Welfare Matters in the WA State Election ON THE ROAD WITH INSPECTOR FIONA RSPCA WA (Inc.) is the state s oldest, largest and leading animal welfare charity, dedicated to improving the lives of all animals throughout the state.

2 Contents 4 What s Hot & What s Not 12 Reloved Fremantle - now open! 6 President s comments 9 A note from the CEO 10 In the vet clinic 11 Protecting pets from domestic violence 14 On the road with Inspector Fiona in Kalgoorlie 16 A second chance for Wally 17 A major victory for horses in WA 19 Million Paws Walk 2017 Cover image: Lamington the lamb, currently in care at our Malaga Animal Care Centre. Sir James Mitchell Park, South Perth Sunday 21 May REGISTER NOW RSPCA WA (Inc.) is the state s oldest, largest and leading animal welfare charity, dedicated to improving the lives of all animals throughout the state. Vision Creating communities free of animal cruelty. Mission To improve the welfare of animals and ensure they are treated with dignity, compassion and respect by providing leadership and quality services in collaboration with our stakeholders. We believe all animals deserve the five freedoms: Freedom from hunger and thirst Freedom from discomfort Freedom from pain, injury and disease Freedom to express normal behaviour Freedom from fear and distress RSPCA WA Great & Small 3

3 What s HOT What s NOT HOT: THE DECLINE OF CAGED EGGS For the first time in our history, sales of cage-free eggs are surpassing caged eggs - hooray! According to the Australian Egg Corporation s annual report, caged eggs now account for 49.5% of all grocery egg sales by volume, down from a staggering 74.9% just a decade ago. Choosing cage-free only costs the consumer an extra $22 a year*. We think that s a small price to pay to give layer hens a better life, don t you agree? *based on average consumption NOT: NOT HAVING PET INSURANCE Honey came into our care shortly after Christmas, following an accident whereby her owner tripped over her and broke her leg. Unfortunately, Honey s owners hadn t arranged pet insurance for their new dog, and like many other animals, she was surrendered into our care as her owners couldn t afford the cost of the vet treatment she required. Being able to afford veterinary treatment for your pet or having adequate pet insurance is an important part of being a responsible pet owner. With RSPCA pet insurance, you can rest assured that your pet is covered for unexpected illness or injury while also supporting animals in need. NOT: DOGS IN HOT CARS HOT: WHIPS BANNED IN HARNESS RACING In a historic move, Harness Racing Australia recently became the first horse racing industry in the world to voluntarily ban the use of whips, which will come into effect from September The decision to ban whips in harness racing was made by the industry to address public concerns and increase the social acceptance of the sport. Read more about this huge win for animal welfare on page 17. In January alone there were 60 reports of dogs left in hot cars made to our cruelty hotline, and despite ongoing efforts to warn dog owners about the dangers of leaving dogs in cars on hot days, people still choose to take the risk. Our Inspectors are currently investigating the death of a dog that was left in a car on Australia Day, where temperatures in Perth exceeded 40 degrees. This has to stop. It can take as little as six minutes for a dog to die in a hot car. Even a quick trip to the shops could be fatal. If you ever see a dog locked in a car on a hot day, please act quickly and call Police ( ), report it to our cruelty line ( ) or contact your local Ranger. HOT: UNDERSTANDING LANDLORDS Inspector Sam received a call-out recently to a rental property where a cat had become stuck in a chimney. Thankfully the owner of the house kindly agreed for Sam to remove as many bricks as necessary to rescue the cat; and after three hours of carefully removing bricks so not to harm the trapped cat, it was freed! The cat was not microchipped so we were unable to locate its owner, so Sam brought it into the vet clinic to be checked over and desexed, ready to be rehomed with the name Cinder. NOT: FAILING TO MAINTAIN A HORSE S HOOVES Many of the cruelty reports we receive for horses are because of overgrown hooves that have not been maintained. Like dog s nails that need clipping, a horse s hooves need regular trimming by a farrier to keep them in good shape, as overgrown hooves can cause significant pain and even restrict a horse from being able to walk. In more severe cases, horses have been sighted rocking back and forth in frustration and agony. Causing an animal to suffer in this way is not acceptable, and is considered an offence under the Animal Welfare Act (2002). 4 RSPCA WA Great & Small 5

4 President s comments COMMUNITY CONCERNS Make your vote count for animal welfare in the 2017 WA State Election It s often said that people power can change the world, but it s only when we realise the extent of our collective power that we know we can unite to really make a difference. And this applies to the welfare of animals in our State. Just think how much better it could be for all creatures if every elected member of our State Parliament really cared about animal welfare. It would be so much easier to bring about changes to legislation, improve policies and create infrastructure that would create a better environment for the greater wellbeing of animals. With the WA State Election approaching on March 11, all of us who care about animal welfare have the power to make a better world for them in WA by helping candidates who truly represent our views to be elected into the Parliament. The major parties are starting to realise that animal welfare is important to many of us and they ve made preelection promises which reflect the growing awareness and acceptance among our politicians that animal welfare is really important to average West Australians. You can read more about the pre-election promises and decide what you think of them by visiting our the news page of our website. RSPCA WA is ready to work closely with whoever is in government after the election. We ll be making sure that their pre-election promises are put to good use to help as many animals as possible. We ll also continue to work for additional improvements that are urgently needed to keep pace with community expectations on animal welfare. These include: A new Animal Welfare Advisory Council which would oversee the development and implementation of a new WA Animal Welfare Strategy. An effective Animal Welfare Advisory Council would bring together scientific experts, industry and community groups to report to and advise the Minister responsible for animal welfare on policy and legislation to drive improved animal welfare outcomes for the State; Adoption of national policies to improve animal welfare such as the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines: Land Transport of Livestock. WA remains the only State yet to adopt these standards and guidelines which were endorsed by the national Primary Industry Standing Committee in Until this happens, livestock being transported in this State could be subjected to unnecessary stress and other welfare issues; A higher welfare food industry strategy which would benefit livestock and producers, and increase their income through meeting growing consumer demand for higher welfare food; and A review of the Animal Welfare Act 2002 and its associated regulations to shift from a punitive and afterthe-fact approach to animal cruelty to focus more on prevention of cruelty. At RSPCA WA, we see firsthand every day the overwhelming proof that you value animal welfare and the role of our organisation in protecting animals from cruelty. Thanks to people like you, 50 calls per day are made to our 24 hour animal cruelty hotline from people making a stand against animal abuse and neglect. As we approach the WA State Election, it s vitally important that you find out where the candidates in your electorates stand on this issue that s close to our hearts. Let them know you expect them to represent your views and that you will use your vote where it will be the most help to animals. You can visit our website to stay informed and vote to show that animal welfare counts in the 2017 WA State Election. So, please keep the pressure on your local candidates. Let them know that you will use your vote in the upcoming election to make sure animal welfare matters. Lynne Bradshaw RSPCA WA President OUTRAGE Another senseless quokka attack on Rottnest Island Just months since vision surfaced of a quokka being given alcohol from a can on Rottnest Island, another shocking act of cruelty against these gentle creatures has come to light. Also filmed and shared on social media, this recent incident shows a man chasing and kicking a quokka around the courtyard of a chalet, while his friend recording the attack is heard laughing in the background. The graphic vision was splashed across the media, with authorities and the public condemning the disgusting act. Police swiftly arrested the two before they headed back to Perth, and they will face court in March on charges of animal cruelty. We are as outraged as you about this, and find it deeply concerning that some people think it s funny to harm an animal. We ll await the outcome of this prosecution and hope the Magistrate hands down an appropriate sentence for this cowardly act. WORRY Local residents using traps to catch nuisance cats We ve received a number of enquiries in recent months from distressed cat owners concerned about their wandering cats being trapped by neighbours. The RSPCA encourages owners to keep their cats indoors or confined to their property to keep them safe from dangers such as road trauma, cat fights and feline diseases, while also protecting native wildlife. Providing a variety of enrichment activities will keep your indoor cat stimulated, and you may consider installing an outdoor cat enclosure so they can continue to enjoy the outdoors, safely. There are no laws preventing people from trapping nuisance cats, however people doing so are responsible for the animal s well-being and any suffering caused to the cat would be an offence under the Animal Welfare Act (2002). Traps must be placed in a shaded area, and checked regularly to ensure an animal isn t without access to food and water for a long period of time. IF ANIMAL WELFARE MATTERS TO YOU, IT SHOULD MATTER TO THEM TOO. See the commitments made by each major political party at Make your vote count IN THE UPCOMING WA STATE ELECTION on March 11 6 RSPCA WA Great & Small 7

5 To everyone who donated to our Guardian Angel Christmas Appeal a note from the CEO Karlessi THANK YOU! You helped raise an amazing $248,259! Thanks to you, rescued animals in our care had everything they needed to feel loved this Christmas. And your kindness continues to help us rescue defenceless animals from heartbreaking situations and gently nurse them back to health physically and mentally. Diglett Al l because of you. Truman Rosie Timothy Rehoming animals is an important part of the work we do at RSPCA WA. It s the final step in each animal s journey towards a healthy and happy life, and something we hope for every animal that passes through our gates. Sadly, many animals in our care require lengthy treatment to recover from broken bones, trauma and injuries, orthopaedic abnormalities, skin conditions or behavioural issues that can be difficult to rehabilitate in a shelter environment. Or perhaps they re well on their way to recovery, but not enough to be permanently rehomed. That s where caring animal lovers come in. Animals that would recover much faster in a home environment enter our Special Treatment and Rehabilitation Rehoming Programme (STaRR). After all, like people, every animal is different and has unique needs. The STaRR framework enables animals to remain under our care for veterinary needs, but in a supportive and loving home whilst they recover however long that takes. During this process the potential owner and animal have time to bond in the home environment, so when the RSPCA veterinary and behavioural team give the all clear, an official adoption can take place. Thank you to all the caring new adopters who make this possible. Just recently you ve provided a loving home to puppies with mites, a dog on medication to reduce anxiety, cats recovering from surgery and a dog with an iron deficiency. Your compassion for animals is inspiring. Not only does this free-up space in our shelter, but it speeds up the recovery process of animals that have already been through so much. David van Ooran RSPCA WA CEO Maggie - who needed to be on a special diet - now enjoying life with her new family 8 RSPCA WA Great & Small 9

6 In the vet clinic No two days are the same in the RSPCA WA vet clinic, and the team can never be sure who or what their next patient will be. On arrival, every animal we rescue comes straight to the vet clinic for an assessment. Some require emergency surgery, and while all receive preventative treatment for things like worms and fleas; our vet team are always on hand to respond to a variety of health conditions for the many different species of animals that come into our care. A safe haven for pets in crisis At the beginning of the year we announced the launch of a new pilot program to assist victims of domestic violence by providing temporary foster care for their beloved pets, while allowing them to focus on their own safety and wellbeing. Lamington Lamington was brought in by one of our Inspectors at less than 24 hours old after being rejected by his Mother. He came straight into the vet clinic where he was checked over before being cleaned up to remove the amniotic fluid that had dried on his fleece. Thankfully, he was found to be in good health! A few of our caring team members have been fostering Lamington while he requires around-the-clock milk feeds. He s even enjoyed walks in the park with one of his foster mum s dogs what a sight! Lemonade Lemonade was brought into RSPCA WA by a member of the public who found him wandering with an injured front leg. Our vets quickly discovered that Lemonade had no sensation at all in his leg, which is why he wasn t even trying to walk on it. Unable to repair the non-functioning leg, the team decided an amputation was the best option for little Lemonade. As cats generally do, he quickly adapted to life on three legs and is now enjoying a great life with his new family. Buddy Buddy and his mate Scrappy were surrendered to RSPCA WA by the son of their owner, who was sadly suffering from dementia. Their fur was severely matted, causing them considerable discomfort; and their nails were so overgrown that they were painfully curled over. The two were sedated for a major grooming session, and while Scrappy has now been adopted into a loving family, Buddy remains in our care while our vets treat a skin condition that was hidden under all that fur. The announcement was met with astounding appreciation and positivity, with many people acknowledging the need for such a scheme and supporting the provision of care for animals from domestic violence households. Nat Foster runs the Community Education and Outreach programme at RSPCA WA, and says that for some people, the fear of leaving their pets in an abusive household is enough to stop them from leaving too. So many people stay in these harmful and often dangerous situations because they re worried about what will happen to their pets if they leave, said Nat. We know that pets are often used by abusers to intimidate and threaten their victims, and many pet owners simply can t and won t prioritise their own safety and wellbeing above that of their beloved pet; but we want to remove that part of the equation to help people take the selfless step towards a healthier and safer future for themselves, and their animals. A call was put out for foster carers to help with a trial of the scheme, but more are needed to gain a better understanding of demand for the service. For safety reasons, and to minimise stress for all involved, pets that come into RSPCA WA s care as part of the scheme will be placed straight into a safe loving foster home where they cannot be traced by the abuser. We need more caring and compassionate foster carers to support this important service, so if you have space in your heart and home for a pet in crisis, please education@rspcawa.asn.au or call (08) Could you provide a safe temporary home for an animal in crisis? Why train with RSPCA? Train your dog with the experts Small class sizes Suits dogs of all ages & abilities One-on-one sessions available Dog Training Many convenient training locations across Perth Discounts on training for dogs adopted from RSPCA WA All money raised helps care for animals in need There are animals in danger that need your help. Become a foster carer for our Pets in Crisis pilot program and together, we will keep these animals safe from harm. Apply today, at Sign up online at (08) RSPCA WA Great & Small 11

7 NOW OPEN IN FREMANTLE Our newest Reloved store opened its doors in late January, and the people of Fremantle are loving it! Come in-store to explore the exciting and eclectic collection, and remember - every purchase you make at one of our Reloved stores directly supports the rescue and rehabilitation of animals in need. Have you got something to donate? We appreciate all good-quality donations of midrange to high-end clothing, shoes, accessories and collectibles. Donations can be made at any of our Reloved stores: 1/391 Fitzgerald Street North Perth 112 Rokeby Road Subiaco 177 High Street Fremantle relovedwa reloved_wa # keeponloving Volunteers make our world go round Without the hard work, dedication and generosity of our volunteers; we simply wouldn t be able to help as many animals as we do. Our volunteers provide support across the whole organisation from dog walking and horse handling to administrative tasks and even legal proceedings. Whether they volunteer their time and skills as individuals or as a business, one thing is for sure: volunteers really do make our world go round! Our wonderful vollies provide help across a wide range of areas: Animal care & shelter support - dog walking, cat enrichment, horse handling, pocket pet enrichment, laundry - and there s so much laundry! Administrative support - preparing mail-outs, filing, research, database support etc. Event support - compiling goody bags, handing out promotional flyers, assisting on the day etc. Legal support - legal advice, document preparation, legal representation etc. Marketing support - creative campaign development, social media support, media strategies for advertising etc. Retail support - sales assistants at our op-shops and Reloved stores. Thanks to this fantastic support, we are able to significantly increase our capacity to help more animals in need, and focus more of our funds directly towards the animals. If you d like to contribute some of your time or skills to these deserving animals, contact Kathrin, our Volunteer Coordinator - she ll be thrilled to hear from you! Phone (08) or volunteer@rspcawa.asn.au. Pictured: Lorna & Pam, Volunteers at our Mirrabooka op-shop. 12 RSPCA WA Great & Small 13

8 On the road with Inspector Fiona in Kalgoorlie Meet Inspector Fiona. She is based in the City of Kalgoorlie- Boulder, and covers an area of the Goldfields stretching over 450,000 square kms. This is a typical day for Fiona in regional Western Australia... Every day before I start work I make sure all of my own animals and my foster animals are exercised, comfortable, and have everything they need while I am away for the day. I m currently fostering a cat and her three kittens, a dog and her two pups, and two rabbits. 8.00am My first job for the day takes me to a stable complex to attend a report of underweight horses. I discover one horse that is a little underweight and a pony with overgrown hooves, which will need to be seen by a farrier. I look for another horse that was reported, which I eventually find at the back of a neighbouring property. The owner is mixing up some feed as I arrive, and tells me the horse is fed a lot. I doubt this but I am worried that there may be an underlying health problem affecting the horse s weight. I give the owner a Direction Notice to call a vet out today, and to follow the advice given by the assessing vet. I then call the local vet to check they are available to attend today, and they confirm they are. 9.40am Next, I visit a property to check on dogs in poor condition. I find two happy and healthy Jack Russell crosses no animal welfare issues here. 9.50am Time to investigate reports of a female dog with untreated injuries who is allegedly being overbred. The owner is vocal in his disapproval of my visit, but eventually cooperates. The male dog at the property (a Bull Arab) is in good condition, and the female dog reported to us is too. She appears to have a couple of old wounds which have healed OK. It s a pity they re choosing to backyard breed their two family pets, and although at this stage there are no requirements by law for pet dogs to be sterilised, I m pleased I got this callout so I could talk to them about the benefits of desexing and recommend that they consider it. Before I leave I exchange the male dog s chain collar with a free flat collar as part of RSPCA WA s Chain Exchange program. The owner is grateful for the new collar as the chain collar was rusted and difficult to get on and off am Before heading back to my office at the Kalgoorlie Animal Management Facility, I call the owner of the underweight horse to make sure they have secured a vet appointment but my call goes unanswered. I quickly call the vet again to see if an appointment has been made for the underweight horse yet, and they confirm it is being seen today at 1:30pm am When I get back to my desk I find a note from Ranger Services asking me to contact someone about kittens trapped in a roof. My call goes unanswered so I leave a message. I make some further phone calls to follow up on various jobs. Many of my calls go unanswered so I then have to attend the addresses. I currently have about six addresses to attend at the next possible opportunity. I m particularly concerned about a horse whose owner received a Direction Notice a week ago to seek vet treatment. The vet told the owner that the horse needs x-rays to determine a possible rotated pedal bone in the hoof, but neither vet clinic in town has heard from the owner. The owner isn t answering my calls so I will need to track them down to make sure the horse receives the treatment it requires. Atticus Rabittus, Fiona s foster rabbit Chocolate, Fiona s foster dog 12.10pm Lunch break and take some calls. It could be someone I ve been trying to track down! 12.30pm I have to spend some time on admin stuff. Logging evidence and keeping records up-to-date is such an important part of my job, particularly for potential prosecutions where evidence and record-keeping is crucial. 2.30pm I have a vet appointment for a Great Dane cross who needs to be vet cleared to fly to Perth in the morning. She is being transferred to our Animal Care Centre for further care. Good news - she is given the all clear. Unfortunately another dog that was due to fly tomorrow has not been cleared to travel due to an ear infection. She ll remain on foster until she is well enough to fly. 3.10pm I arrive at a house to meet the owner of two kittens, who wants to surrender them as her young children are hurting the kittens when left unsupervised. The owner admits that she cannot sustain the level of supervision needed so they would rather surrender the kittens to us. I m surprised by how tame and subdued the kittens are and how easily the young children are carrying them around. I quickly contact the Shelter Manager at Malaga to see if they can take the kittens in, and thankfully they can; so I rush to the vet clinic to have them checked for contagious diseases and to make sure they are fit to fly in the morning. They are - and they can take the booking made for the other dog that isn t ready to fly just yet. 4.50pm I now go back to the office to type up the details of the animals flying out to Perth tomorrow. One dog and the two kittens. 5.20pm Before I leave for the day, I get a call back about the kittens trapped in the roof. From the information I receive over the phone I m comfortable that the kittens will be safe until the morning, but the owner of the house is afraid the kittens might fall down into the wall cavity overnight so I agree to go to the house to see for myself. 5.40pm It isn t safe for me to go up into the section of roof where the kittens are, but I m satisfied that the kittens are safe enough to wait until morning when I can set a humane trap to safely remove them. I leave them some food and water for the night and will return tomorrow. Before I leave I notice their dog has a metal check chain, so I ask the owner to exchange it with me for a free flat collar. They agree, and it looks great. 6.25pm I drive home, and set a reminder on my phone for an early start tomorrow to take the three animals to the airport. I collect my dogs and my foster dogs from home and head up to see my horse. The dogs run around while I spend time with my horse. A relaxing evening at the horse paddock is a great way to refresh goodness knows what tomorrow will bring. 14 RSPCA WA Great & Small 15

9 A SECOND CHANCE FOR WALLY Wally was rescued from a property in Kalgoorlie by Inspector Fiona who found him bleeding and unresponsive after being set upon by a pack of larger dogs that had escaped their enclosure. He was rushed to a local vet where he was immediately given pain relief and fluids while his wounds were assessed. He was monitored closely over the next 24 hours but his condition wasn t improving. Inspector Fiona and the vet team caring for Wally soon came to terms with the fact that Wally may never regain consciousness, but chose to wait another day and the following morning, Wally woke up. His owner was located and agreed to surrender Wally into RSPCA WA s care. He underwent surgery to repair his ripped ears and the bite marks and claw wounds to his leg, then spent the next few weeks recovering at the vet clinic in Kalgoorlie. Once fit enough to travel, our friends at Aeropets organised Wally s flight to Perth, and he was brought to the Animal Care Centre for further health checks before entering our rehoming program. We re delighted to say that Wally has since been adopted, and is enjoying a happy life with his new loving family. Thanks to Aeropets for bringing Wally - and so many other animals in need - into our care. and finally this! From this to this... Hill s have donated Science Diet to shelter animals awaiting adoption since 1997 A major victory for horses in WA In a historic move, Harness Racing Australia recently became the first horse racing industry in the world to voluntarily ban the use of whips, with the new policy coming into effect from September The decision to ban whips in harness racing was made voluntarily by the industry after extensive consultation, to address public concerns and increase the social acceptance of the sport. This is a proud moment for harness racing but most importantly, it s a huge win for animal welfare. At over 100 clubs across Australia (including 18 in Western Australia*), Standardbred horses compete in pacing and trotting races anywhere from 1.6km to 2.6km in distance, pulling behind them a two-wheeled cart with a driver onboard. There are currently over 10,700* horses competing in harness racing across the country including over 1,800* in Western Australia. In our State, the oversight of whip use in horse racing including harness racing falls under the rules and regulations of the Racing and Wagering Act (2003). Up until now, whip rules were difficult to enforce and subject to interpretation. However, the recent decision make the rules much clearer, and much easier to enforce. Of course, ensuring the safety of drivers and horses is critical, and to this end, the industry will be developing and introducing a safety device that drivers can carry. This will be for use in dangerous or emergency situations only, and not for urging greater speed, a position which the RSPCA fully supports. The RSPCA praises the decision to ban whip use in harness racing as a significant step in the right direction for the welfare of horses in sport. Banning the use of whips reflects public sentiment and acknowledges the latest advances in horse welfare science. A prominent Australian racing commentator has since publicly stated that it is only a matter of time until whips are banned from other types of horse racing. If so, this would be in line with wider community expectations as well as with the latest scientific evidence which tells us that the use of whips can be associated with pain, stress and fear in horses. Contrary to popular belief, we now understand that horses may have a thinner top layer of skin and more nerve endings than previously thought, making them extremely vulnerable to pain associated with whip use. Research also indicates the effectiveness of whip use to increase racing performance is questionable. As a consequence, recommendations have consistently been made to minimise the use of whips in other forms of horse training and racing. The RSPCA will continue to oppose the use of whips in racing due to the unnecessary and unjustified pain and distress they inflict on horses. To learn more about the RSPCA s campaign to end the use of whips in sport, visit the campaigns page at By feeding Hill s Science Diet, we can ensure that kittens and cats awaiting adoption have the special nutrition they need to be healthy, happy and ready to start their new life with you. If you re ready to bring a new cat into your life then why not consider adoption from your local animal shelter? For more information about Hill s Pet Nutrition visit shown are trademarks of Hill s Pet Nutrition, Inc Hill s Pet Nutrition Pty Limited. HIMA-DN-1506F8E0. HPA /16. GHG. 1 OUT OF 6 HORSES COMPETING IN HARNESS RACING ACROSS THE COUNTRY, ARE RACING HERE IN WA* *Sources: Harness Racing Australia, Racing and Wagering WA 16 RSPCA WA Great & Small 17

10 Upcoming Events Recent Events Million Paws Walk 2017 Doggy Speed Dating - a quest to find love for our dateless dogs Our biggest event - Million Paws Walk - is back! Join us at the walk to fight animal cruelty, with a choice of a 1km, 2.5km or 5km course. There will also be lots of fun activities for you and your furry friend, with all money raised going towards animals in need. Whatever the age, size, breed or ability - all friendly dogs are welcome for a fantastic doggy day out! Registrations are now open at When Where Sunday 21 May 2017 Sir James Mitchell Park, South Perth Ten of our dogs - who were patiently waiting at our Animal Care Centre in Malaga - headed to the CBD on Valentine s Day for a special Doggy Speed Dating event in the hope of finding their perfect match. Hundreds of city workers and shoppers descended on Stirling Gardens to meet our dateless dogs, enjoying cuddles and getting to know more about each dog s unique character and needs for a happy second chance in life. Not only was the event a great opportunity to showcase our dogs in a more natural environment, it also gave people the chance to see each dog s true nature and how they would be in a home setting, if adopted. Happily, many of the dogs have a second date lined up in the coming weeks. Thanks to our sponsors... Adcorp for providing creative marketing, PR and advertising support across our organisation Fast Track Training Australia for sponsoring one of our dog kennels and providing a safe space for dogs in need Stage & Studio Productions for generously donating staging and PA equipment for the 2017 RSPCA WA Quiz Night Picton for helping us to create quality publications like Great & Small, by taking care of all of our printing needs Charity Motorbike Ride Join the 4th annual charity motorbike ride for RSPCA WA and help put the brakes on animal cruelty! There will be raffles, auctions and a sausage sizzle; and everyone is welcome - whether you have two wheels or four! When: 10:30am Sunday 19 March (register from 9am) Start: South Beach, Fremantle - near South Beach café Finish: Veterans MC Clubhouse, Silvia St, Nollamara Cost: Registration is $20 per vehicle, with all money raised going to RSPCA WA. Call to register or for more information. Quiz Night Thank you to everyone who came to our recent quiz night, and to Asten and her dedicated team of volunteers for making it such a great success - all to raise money for animals in need. The event sold out to 300 people, and due to such popular demand; we re excited to announce another quiz night to be held in June. To be the first to hear when tickets go on sale, fundraising@rspcawa.asn.au. (08) RSPCA WA Great & Small 19

11 We ve been adopted Bravo Shae Puffy Ned Ursula Pigachoo & Diglett Karlessi Porscha Toby Maggie Bully (right) Mikey Koffee Eva Flynn Cito The Spice Girls Clementine Richtor Timothy facebook.com/rspcawa instagram.com/rspca_wa 108 Malaga Drive, Malaga WA 6090 Phone (08) twitter.com/rspcawa