dogtales This is the official newsletter from the Dogs Homes of Tasmania operated by the Tasmanian Canine Defence League DECEMBER 2014 HAPPY CHRISTMAS FROM THE PRESIDENT - New CEO Belinda Barnes I am delighted to announce we have appointed a new CEO, Belinda Barnes, who will take up her role with the Dogs Homes of Tasmania on Monday 5 January 2015. Belinda has extensive managerial experience in the Western Australian health and fitness industry as well as being CEO of the Australian Institute of Fitness (WA) and more recently in Tasmania with the Parks and Wildlife Service. With a long track record in business development, management and effective teamwork, combined with a passion for animals, we are looking forward to Belinda injecting her enthusiasm to the organisation. As you are all aware, our number one priority is caring for our dogs by continuing to do what we have done over the past 64 years and I am confident Belinda will be of great assistance to us in this process. Ms Barnes is a dog-lover who spent her early years in Canada and now is a recent convert to all things Tasmanian. After growing up in a family dedicated to the care, sustainable breeding and adoption of animals, she was motivated to this job by the lack of laws regulating the pet industry and the puppy farm trade. I would also like to pay tribute to David Peters who assisted the organisation through difficult times. David came out of retirement to assist the organisation and during his time, the organisation has been in a safe set of hands. I am delighted to announce that David has accepted an invitation to join the board of directors. Kind regards, Noel Hunt FROM THE CEO The first part of 2014/15 has seen an improved financial performance across all parts of the organisation. Income has increased from most sources, particularly through the generosity of our supporters. The close attention paid to managing costs, without compromising the level of care provided to our dogs, is a credit to both the Board and our staff. I know financial information doesn t make the most interesting reading but when it is positive it has an important effect it engenders confidence. Knowing that our financial performance is improving, and the organisation is more financially stable, allows our staff and volunteers to concentrate on the really important stuff caring for and re-homing the dogs which come into our Homes. This is where we can - and do - make a difference, with what is best for the dog as a clear focus. My short term appointment as CEO is coming to an end and I thank the Board for the opportunity to work in a truly worthwhile organisation with a group of staff and volunteers who genuinely care for our dogs. David Peters OAM Page 1
PUPS ON PAROLE As we approach the end of another year, it is nice to remember the past 12 months and reflect on our progress and achievements. Whilst we see every adoption as an achievement in itself, there are 14 dogs which, without the assistance of a dedicated team of inmate handlers, may have missed their chance to shine. This time last year, the Hobart Dogs Home and Ron Barwick, the minimum security section of the Risdon Prison Complex, joined forces to implement the Pups on Parole program. The program was initially put in place to cater for the Hobart Dogs Home s more difficult-to-contain dogs, but has since evolved into so much more. Through regular weekly training sessions, provided by Dogs Home staff, inmates at Ron Barwick minimum security prison are learning how to train and modify behaviours of our dogs using positive reward-based training. Inmate handlers are challenged with new problems each time a different dog enters the program, requiring them to use and expand on the skills and techniques they have already learned. In a short twelve months, the Pups on Parole team have progressed from managing one fence-jumping dog to currently housing, training, socialising and caring for six dogs and puppies at the same time. The main focus of the program remains our true Pups on Parole. These are dogs that are placed in the program due to severe pen stress/anxiety or undesirable behaviours that cannot be adequately addressed at the Home due to the environment and limited resources. These are the dogs that truly benefit from the program but they are definitely not the only ones. Puppies who require a quarantine period before becoming available for adoption would normally spend that time penned at the Home, unless foster care was available. Now there is the option to spend that time in the hands of dedicated handlers, learning invaluable social skills and foundation training for the years ahead. A third aspect of the program, which has only recently evolved, is overnight respite. This has been made possible since one of the dog handlers from Ron Barwick has joined the Volunteers at the Hobart Home and allows some of the Home s long termers to have a night out and bit of extra TLC. Within Ron Barwick there are a network of people we have to thank for the success of this program not least of which are the inmates who together, as a team of dedicated handlers, work to achieve the best outcome possible for our dogs. On behalf of the dogs listed below, thank you to all those involved in this wonderful initiative! Pups on Parole Quarantine Puppies Quarantine Puppies Overnight Respite Bear Rosie (Misty) Angus Hannah Razor (Rae) Flora (Molly) Mac Mason Ruby Bridget Gem Ramsey Cujo (Buddy) Blossom Squizzy Greg (Jed) Carter Lilly Lyell Sarchi Sophie Cooper Wyatt Puddles Buster Alistaire Goliath Dudley Barkley Tulip Neville Biscuit Denny Nelly Sukie Elroy Devon Arty Kruger Mack Sunshine Michelle Jones, Program Coordinator, Pups on Parole, Hobart Dogs Home Page 2
` GENEROUS DONATION FROM TERO PHOTOGRAPHY The Dogs' Homes of Tasmania would like to thank Tero and his team at Tero Photography for an amazing donation. Tero is a passionate, gifted photographer who has been in the industry for over 30 years. He approached The Dogs' Homes of Tasmania with a wonderful and generous offer to donate to us the proceeds of his coffee table book Best Friends, Pets and People. The book celebrates the relationship and interaction between pets and their humans, and at the same time raises much needed funds for animal welfare charities in Tasmania. Tero came to the Hobart home and presented our CEO David Peters, John Gray and Nikeeta (the Bulldog) with a cheque for $7,295.45 which came from the proceeds of participation fees in his book. Thank you Tero. We appreciate your support and please, anybody who is thinking of getting their pet or family photos done, call Tero today or go to http://www.tero.com.au NANCY AND MARGARET: DOGS BREAKFAST INSPIRING DOG LOVERS Two dedicated dog lovers in Sandy Bay, Nancy and Margaret, have for several years organised a Dogs Breakfast at Sandy Bay Beach. They have already raised more than $600 for Dogs Homes of Tasmania this December, and will collect from morning walkers until the New Year. Dog owners and walkers pay $5 and bring a plate of food; drinks are provided. Page 3
GIRL GUIDES An energetic and dedicated team of Girl Guides from the Waverly District visited the Hobart Dogs Home on 5 October. Their visit was organised by their leader, Zoey Thompson, a volunteer dog walker. The Guides helped to improve the presentation of our grounds and we appreciate their efforts and kindness very much DEVONPORT NEWS Devonport Dogs Home recently farewelled two long term friends off into their new homes. Megan, a 10 year old hound who originally came to the home heavily pregnant, and shortly after gave birth to 7 beautiful puppies, finally found a loving home after a fairly long stay with us. We also farewelled long termer and everyone's favourite, Ozzie, who is a 2 year old blue heeler. Ozzie is the type of dog that whenever you go to greet him he must find a toy to present to you. OZZIE MEGAN Devonport Dogs Home would like to thank Iris Reeves for taking on the responsibility of Volunteer Coordinator, inducting many more valuable volunteers thus allowing more long walks and companionship for our adoption dogs. IRIS, MARIA AND PAUL S BBQ A huge thank you to Iris and Maria and cook Paul for organising and holding a BBQ at the Tamar Resort Market. They raised $433 for the purchase of toys and enrichment items for the Devonport dogs. Page 4
TWO OF OUR AMAZING HOBART VOLUNTEERS Hobart Dogs Home is extremely fortunate to have two great volunteers who carry out a huge range of building and maintenance chores. They are Richard Moore and Stephen Hitchins. You can see them every Thursday in all weather, refurbishing yards, mending fences, fixing dripping taps and many other tasks. The dogs are most grateful for all their great work. BURNIE NEWS Some much needed work has been carried out recently at the Burnie Dogs' Home. A number of concrete paths have been installed at the Home, linking the kennels with the day yards. This project overcomes a major safety concern, where staff and volunteers were required to lead dogs up and down the hill on gravel paths a challenge with a large, strong and/or excited dog. Some landscaping work has been undertaken as part of the paving project, to reduce maintenance and improve the presentation of the Home. See some photos on the next page. It is one of a number of maintenance and minor works being undertaken at the Northern Homes to deal with identified safety issues. Also completed or to be carried out shortly are improvements to the vet room kennels and day yards at Burnie, and additional day yards and refurbishing of adoption kennels at Devonport. These works have been made possible through the continued generosity of the late Terry Matthews and his wife Joan, both of whom were granted Honorary Life Membership of the League earlier this year. A number of trees near the buildings had been showing some signs of deterioration and were considered at risk of falling. This would have caused damage to nearby kennels and, potentially, to dogs, staff and volunteers. The problem trees have now been removed. Also, the northern side of the property had become over run by a bulrush-type plant. Concerns were held for the safety of dogs and people with the snake season soon to be upon us. The Burnie City Council kindly provided expert advice on how to control the plant. This advice is being followed improving both safety and outlook at the Home. Page 5
ROSE AND PAM S FUNDRAISING A huge thank you to Rose and Pam for raising $1,157 at a sausage sizzle held at Woolworths in Wynyard, a raffle and the garage sale they held last month. Plus all the treats and toys they regularly take to the Burnie Home. Page 6