By Dominique Tassell
A local woman is urging locals to think carefully before they buy any pets this festive season, after adopting a dog six weeks ago that was abandoned on the highway at The Summit.
Leonie Smith and her dog, Annie, are a match made in heaven. But just six weeks ago Annie was left on the side of the highway.
Leonie said Annie was sunburnt and had lost patches of her hair, so they’re not sure how long she was left there.
Why her previous owners didn’t surrender her to a local shelter, Leonie doesn’t know.
“Don’t dump your animals,” she said. “Do not throw these babies away.”
Leonie herself was forced to give up her previous dog, Eddie, to a shelter after she felt she could not properly care for him as he grew bigger than expected, but she cannot imagine what would cause a person to abandon their animal the way Annie was.
Leonie surrendered Eddie to We Care Country Kennels and checked on him regularly until he was adopted out to a young family. She also adopted Annie from We Care Country Kennels.
She said the kennels are very careful about making sure animals are paired with the right potential owners, and checked that her house was suitable for Annie and called up to check up on how they were bonding.
Leonie also has a cat named Harry who was found abandoned and urged people to stop if they see an animal in need of help on the side of the road.
Vicki from We Care Country Kennels emphasised to us the importance of microchipping your animals, so they can be safely returned to you if they do run away or get lost.
She said animals shouldn’t be treated like “disposable commodities”.
She said people sometimes have the attitude that if their dog runs away, they can just get another, or if they get sick they can simply put them down.
If dogs are brought into the kennel, but are microchipped, they will reunite them with their owners for free.
Vicki emphasised that people should never give a live animal as a gift at Christmas, as people need to buy the right pet for them.
She said it’s important to meet an animal first before you make them part of your family.
Vicki said that Christmas can be tough for shelters, as some of their foster carers may go away on holiday and mean there are limited places to foster dogs.
The IGA in Stanthorpe has a bin outside where locals can drop off donations for the kennel such as dog food, which can make a big difference.
Kate from Southern Downs ARK said that “companion animals, such as cats and dogs, are not toys or gifts”.
“They are a 15 to 20 year commitment.”
She stated that before signing up for pet ownership, serious consideration should be given first to the cost of looking after an animal.
Potential pet owners should consider whether they can afford food, annual vaccinations, tick and flea treatment, wormers, plus vet treatment for chronic illnesses that typically afflict an ageing animal, or for emergencies, such as snake bites or bowel blockages.
She said they should then consider whether they have the time and energy now and into the foreseeable future to care for that pet and provide it with the love, attention and training it needs.
Finally, Kate said people should acknowledge that no animal is perfect and then ask themselves if they are sufficiently committed to the animal to take the good with the bad “or do they know, deep down, that they’ll get rid of it if and when the going gets tough”.
She said people will find the right fit for them if they go through the process of bringing an animal into their home “thoughtfully and honestly”.
Southern Downs ARK is currently taking signatures for a petition encouraging Southern Downs Regional Council to join the National Desexing Network.
This would mean that eligible residents of this region can have ongoing access to low-cost feline and canine desexing.
Other councils such as the Scenic Rim, Ipswich and Gold Coast Councils have joined the network.
Locals can sign the petition at ARK’s gift-wrapping booth at the foot of the Woolworths Travellator in Rose City.
