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Animal group keen on pet education

Shannon SmithAlbany Advertiser

Albany Animal Welfare has vowed it will find abandoned animals permanent homes, no matter how long it takes.

Since December, the new locally operated welfare group has been focusing on educating people on responsible pet ownership and running cat sterilisation drives to reduce the number of unwanted kittens.

Co-ordinator Megan Hall said AAW differed from other organisations as it was Albany-operated and volunteer-run.

“We have no overheads or wages to pay so all the money raised or donated to AAW goes to providing care to the animals of Albany,” she said. “We also have no time limits on animals in foster homes.

“We will continue to care for the animal until the right forever home is found.”

Ms Hall said while other organisations were doing a wonderful job in Albany, AAW saw the need for something more.

“Albany has a big problem with complacency around pet ownership, especially when it comes to cats,” she said.

“We want to teach the community about how buying from backyard breeders and irresponsible pet ownership hurts animal welfare and has a negative effect on our native wildlife.

“We can only help as many animals as we have the resources to do so. It’s an unfortunate fact that without a rescue like AAW available, the euthanasia of healthy animals and dumping of cats in bushland will continue.”

The group will be raising funds to provide vet care, with an Easter raffle on the go at the Albany Farmers Markets and the Boat Shed Markets.

Through its AAW Auction Facebook page, the group will auction donated goods to raise further proceeds.

To keep running costs down, the group does not have a headquarters but rather collection points for donated goods.

The first will be at Prime Realty on Middleton Road.

More information can be found by contacting albanyanimalwelfare@gmail.com.

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