the pedigree 2010 dog adoption index · - the total numbers of dogs received in victorian council...

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PEDIGREE® The 2010 Dog Adoption Index A snapshot of dog homelessness in Australia

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The PEDIGREE® Dog Adoption Index 2010 2!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. About this Report

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2. How Many Dogs are Homeless in Australia?

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3. The Most Common Reasons for Dog Homelessness

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4. The Most Common Homeless Dog Breeds

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5. Dogs Returned Home

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6. Dog Adoption

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7. Numbers of Dogs Adopted Across Australia

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8. The Dog Adoption Index

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9. Busting the Myths About Dog Adoption

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10. Dog Adoption Case Studies

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11. Who is Who in PetRescue

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12. What You Can Do

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13. References and Media Contacts

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The PEDIGREE® Dog Adoption Index

A report from PetRescue in support of the 2010 PEDIGREE® ADOPTION DRIVE

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ABOUT THIS REPORT

The PEDIGREE® Dog Adoption Index is a joint initiative of PEDIGREE® and PetRescue. It is our firm belief that all

Australian dogs deserve a loving home but every year we know that significant numbers are needlessly

euthanased. In addition, we are aware that there are thousands of dogs waiting for adoption in rescue centres,

shelters and in the care of volunteers around the country. For these homeless dogs, their futures are far from

certain.

This report has been compiled because today no one has a clear understanding of the true numbers of dogs

currently homeless in Australia. There is not one central location where data is stored, and every State and Territory

operates differently. This report relies upon the goodwill of councils, shelters and volunteer groups from across the

country to help us build a picture of Australia’s homeless dog populations. Even with the barest of indexing,

permitting us only a partial glimpse of the problem, shows us that the numbers and the plight of homeless dogs in

Australia today is frightening.

The key findings of this report are:

- On any average day there are approximately 1,900 homeless dogs and puppies listed on PetRescue.com.au as

available for adoption.

- The top dog adopting State is South Australia, with a massive 91% of their dogs listed for adoption being

successfully rehomed.

- When one dog is adopted, two lives are saved. For every dog that is adopted, another can be released from the

pound or shelter, taking its place in a rescue group.

- RSPCA received more than 69,383 dogs in 2008-2009 into their nationwide shelters.

- The total numbers of dogs received in Victorian Council pounds in 2008-2009 exceeded 20,757.

This report highlights the plight of Australia’s homeless dog population, and stresses the need to improve the

public’s understanding of dog adoption. For the thousands of homeless dogs, adoption is the most powerful tool to

help them find a new home and this report is designed to shatter a few myths. Finally the Index is also intended to

acknowledge the enormous effort that volunteers, rescue groups and others tirelessly put into dealing with the

issues surrounding dog adoption.

PEDIGREE® is a year-round advocate and supporter of dog adoption. The PEDIGREE® 2010 Dog Adoption Index

is part of the PEDIGREE® Adoption Drive, running from the 4th June till 30

th July. Australians can support The

PEDIGREE® Adoption Drive by either adopting a homeless dog or donating via pedigreeadoptiondrive.com.au.

You can also buy PEDIGREE®. For every specially marked PEDIGREE® can and dry food purchased during this

period, PEDIGREE® will make a donation to PetRescue, with a minimum donation of $100,000 going to help

homeless Aussie dogs find loving homes. Branded merchandise is also available online, with profits going to further

support the cause.

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HOW MANY DOGS ARE HOMELESS IN AUSTRALIA?

It’s unfortunate that there is no national recording of the number of

dogs who are homeless in Australia. Getting a true understanding

of the numbers is a difficult task, and overly complicated, but it

shouldn’t be so. Any national figures we provide in this report will

always only ever be an informed estimate.

In order to truly understand how many dogs in Australia are

homeless today, we must pull together all of the available

statistics.

The Animal Welfare League Queensland estimates that 200,000

domesticated animals – dogs, cats and others - are euthanased

every year, and dogs constitute the major proportion of this figure.

IMPOUNDING AND SHELTERS

Victoria is the only State in Australia where councils are required to report the details of council pound facilities and

the dogs they have received. To review the Victorian Council DAMP Summary (Metropolitan) for Dogs (2008-2009)

statistics is alarming. If we were to extrapolate out these statistics across Australia, the picture for our nation’s

sheltered dogs is a pretty bleak one. Added to this, Victorian shelters operate according to what it called the 28-day

rule – this refers to the length of time that a dog can be held for adoption. Owners get a mere eight days to claim

their dog. After eight days, their dog can be euthanased immediately or is given 28 days to be rehomed.

In Victoria a total of 20,757 dogs were

impounded in 2009. Of these, 20%

(4,156) were euthanased and 37%

(7,744) were unclaimed.

Within the Victorian metropolitan councils there were some

unfortunate standouts. Wyndham City Council and Melton Shire

Council impounded 14 dogs for every 1,000 people in their council

regions. The highest number of impounds was in Knox City Council

where 1,679 dogs were impounded, however 1,007 were returned.

Yarra Shire Council, VIC has the unenviable title of euthanasing the

most dogs.

88% of their total unclaimed and impounded dog population was

euthansed in 2009. (Vic Council DAMP Summary

2008-09)

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Definitions. Pounds: Usually a council-run facility that receives stray pets. They ensure that people are kept safe from roaming animals and return owned pets home. Shelters: Organisations that give pets who have spent their required time at the pound a second chance to find a new home. Shelters are usually privately run organisations centred around an animal care facility with resources to hold pets on site. Rescue groups: Generally a network of concerned carers who remove dogs from pound and shelter environments.

Pound

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The RSPCA does collect statistics for all of its shelters nationwide, providing us with a snapshot into the numbers of

dogs they handle through their network.

According to the RSPCA Australia National Statistics Report 2008-2009, the total

numbers of dogs they received into their shelters over that financial year period topped

a staggering 69,383 .

The state breakdown of the homeless dogs received by the RSPCA reflects the concentrations of populations –

essentially where there are people, there are homeless dogs.

State Number received by RSPCA Numbers of dogs euthanased Percentage

New South Wales 22,378 9,286 41%

Victoria 18,116 3,958 22%

Queensland 17,946 6,878 38%

South Australia 4,668 1,008 22%

Western Australia 2,042 248 12%

Tasmania 1,744 305 17%

Australian Capital Terr. 1,628 136 8%

Northern Territory 861 248 29%

TOTAL 69,383 22,085 32% But different states treat their sheltered dogs differently, with the RSPCA’s euthanasia rates varying widely across

the country. Unfortunately NSW tops the list as the State with the highest percentage of RSPCA received dogs that

are euthanased, with the ACT the lowest.

RSPCA NSW shelters are faced with euthanasing 41%

of the dogs they receive.

Finally, there are other charitable organisations that also collate information about the numbers of dogs who are

impounded, however this information relies on goodwill that councils will provide the latest data even though they

are not under obligation to do so. Organisations such as Deathrow Pets (further information can be found on them

at www.deathrowpets.net) have contacted every NSW council seeking clarification on the numbers of dogs

euthanased in 2007-2008. Their figures are equally disturbing. Deathrow Pets counted 50,209 dogs entering NSW

council pounds over the period, and 2,857 dogs entered Animal

Welfare League shelters. Of these total dogs, 19,783 were

euthanased.

What this tells us is that we don’t have a good enough handle on the

data, and thousands of dogs are dying unnecessarily every year.

Recommendation: Nationwide reporting on the impounding of dogs and euthanasia

rates.

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THE MOST COMMON REASONS FOR DOG HOMELESSNESS

When owners present at pounds and at shelters they are asked what the reasons are for surrendering their pet.

Most people who present to shelters are not evil or bad people, they simply have encountered a problem they find

too difficult to overcome.

According to PetRescue the most common reasons for dog homelessness are, in no particular order:

“I’m moving to accommodation that doesn’t take pets”

Moving house is the most often stated reason for surrendering pets at RSPCA shelters. Many people move into

rental accommodation that doesn’t allow pets, or they are forced to move and find they can’t take their pets with

them. Our modern lifestyle doesn’t bode well for pets – with higher divorce rates people find themselves having to

rent a home into which they cannot take their animals. And with an ageing population, many old age facilities are

also not accepting dogs. It is important to realise that dogs will live for over ten or more years, and will see us

through many life changes. As we move house over the dog’s lifetime, their needs must be accommodated.

“I can’t afford to keep him”

The cost of vet bills can come at quite a shock to new dog owners. ‘Basic’ vet care – such as vaccinations and

check-ups – can easily be underestimated. ‘Advanced’ vet care – treatment for broken bones and advanced

disease – can create costs that are often out of reach for the average family. In Australia the cost of pet insurance is

unaffordable for many owners. Life changes can only make this worse, with divorce, job loss and general financial

pressures, being the final reasons for why their family dog must be surrendered.

“I didn’t realise he was going to be so difficult to take care of”

New dog owners often purchase a puppy from a mainstream retailer not knowing what the obligations and

responsibilities are for that particular breed. Frequently puppies are purchased on impulse without much research,

and a lack of after-care support from these outlets can lead to stressed owners and traumatised dogs. Sometimes

the wrong breed is selected, or new owners are unsure of how to respond to the socialisation and behavioural

needs of their new family member. A lack of knowledge on the part of the owner can mean that a puppy ends up at

Most common reasons for dog homelessness

“I’m moving to accommodation that doesn’t take pets”

“I can’t afford to keep him”

“I didn’t realise he was going to be so difficult to take care of”

“I didn’t know my dog was at the pound”

“My dog has behaviour problems”

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the pound or shelter.

“I didn’t know my dog was at the pound”

People are often confused how to look for a lost pet and aren’t aware of how quickly they need to act. Many dogs

only get a few days in the pound to be reclaimed, and after that, processes are underway. Other dogs are collected

by well meaning strangers who hang on to them and feed them for a few days, unsure of whether they should take

them to the pound or not. Frequently distraught owners visit the pound in the hope their dog has been dropped off.

Sometimes the two groups of people miss each other and the dog ends up at the pound, with no callback systems

in place for pounds to track back against earlier enquiries. Finally there are a percentage of people who don’t even

bother to look for their dog when it goes missing.

“My dog has behavioural problems”

Without proper socialisation and training, our dogs may end up anti-social. As a result, owners may find that their

dog has behavioural problems and becomes difficult to keep. In addition a lack of interaction and exercise can lead

to over-enthusiastic or simply frustrated mutts. Dogs can become difficult to deal with, and their lack of socialisation

is exacerbated.

Looking for homes

Diesel & Missoni are like two peas in a pod. They would like to remain this way and find a loving new home together. Bursting with energy, they need long walks and plenty of love.

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THE MOST COMMON HOMELESS DOG BREEDS

Many shelter and rescue groups believe that the range of dog breeds currently classified as homeless follows very

closely the trends for fashionable dogs that can be seen in the windows of pet shops around the country. What is

popular in the stores will eventually become commonplace in the shelters and pounds. An analysis of the dogs

listed for adoption on PetRescue in 2009 has revealed the current most common homeless dog breeds.

THE DOG HOMELESSNESS SURGE

PetRescue has analysed the numbers and the frequency of dogs that are appearing on their adoption listings. They

have charted the surges in numbers of particular dogs, and noted that there are waves in fashionable breeds being

surrendered as puppies and young adolescents, which then subsequently appear on adoption listings. PetRescue

believes that these surges can be tracked against several key points in a new dog’s life with their owner.

Surge 1 – Pet owners discover that the puppy they purchased on impulse requires a lot more love and attention

than they first imagined. With no after-purchase care, a new owner can feel out of their depth with the responsibility.

Surge 2 – The puppy has blossomed into a five or six-month old dog. The dog’s true nature, along with his

bloodlines, is revealed. His natural needs may exceed what his owners have available – he may grow larger than

anticipated, or his energy levels not contained by a small yard. Often at this time, the dog is banished to the garden,

which doesn’t assist improvements in socialisation or behaviour.

Surge 3 – The backyard dog doesn’t spend much time with the family, and is essentially untrained. At roughly two

years old his enthusiasm and uncurbed behaviour can be too much for the family. Without understanding their dog’s

needs, pet owners surrender them.

Most common homeless dog breeds

Staffordshire Bull Terrier (Staffy)

Border Collie

Kelpie

Australian Cattle Dog

Maltese Terrier

Jack Russell Terrier

Labrador

Rottweiler

Chihuahua

Greyhound

Beagle

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DOGS RETURNED HOME

With no national statistics on pound populations, it is very difficult to know exactly how many dogs are restored to

distraught owners. However with the incidence of microchipping so high across Australia, it is a surprise that not

more dogs are successfully returned to their owners.

The RSPCA charted their HOMELESS DOG RECLAIM RATE over the period

2008-2009 and out of a total of 69,383 dogs they received, the organisation

managed to return 22,896 – 33%. They also managed to rehome 19,236 –

28%.

Victorian Councils are the only other bodies to actively track and report their homeless dog reclaim rate.

Out of a total of 20,757 dogs impounded by Victorian Councils in 2008-2009,

they managed to return 13,013 - 63%.

Looking for a home

Delightful Darcy is a bright and smiley Jack Russell cross who loves other dogs, cats and people.

Well trained and mannered, Darcy is a charmer.

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DOG ADOPTION

The step-up from death row for a dog is the possibility that they might be

adopted. Across the country there are dogs hoping on a new family, and

waiting for the chance to slot into a new home. Every day thousands of

dogs are up for adoption. Australia is lucky enough to have an umbrella

organisation that harnesses the energies of passionate rescue groups

nationwide – PetRescue.

PetRescue works with a nationwide network of 658 rescue groups,

shelters and pounds and undertakes rehoming programs to make it

easier for potential adopters to find and save a rescue pet. Through the

organisation’s website petrescue.com.au, and the umbrella nature of the

organisation, they provide up-to-date and insightful information on the numbers and types of homeless dogs up for

adoption across the country.

Adoption is one of the most effective ways to tackle the problem of Australia’s dog homelessness problem as it

removes dogs from the perilous environment of the pound. Adoption processes also mean that a much more

thorough pet and owner personality profiling is undertaken, leading to a more suitable match between dog and

owner.

It has been shown that dog adoption processes can lead to longer lasting and enriched relationships.

On an average day, PetRescue has around

1900 dogs and puppies awaiting

adoption.

(PetRescue rehoming statistics 2009)

Looking for a home:

Nine-year-old Amber is looking for a new family to love. Unforeseen circumstances have made it necessary for her family to downsize to a small unit.

Well trained, Amber is patient around children and other animals.

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NUMBERS OF DOGS ADOPTED ACROSS AUSTRALIA

Again it is difficult to secure definitive statistics about the numbers of dogs adopted across the country, as we must

rely upon the efforts of non-governmental organisations and charities. However according to PetRescue statistics of

the numbers of dogs registered on petrescue.com.au for the calendar year of 2009, it is possible to get a picture of

some of the numbers of dogs successfully adopted through their network of 658 rescue groups.

*The lower figures quoted here for Tasmania and the Northern Territory reflect the fact that they have only recently joined the PetRescue

network.

Number of dogs adopted across Australia, by State

State No. of dogs listed No. of dogs adopted

ACT 1410 1188

NSW 8533 6109

QLD 5113 4592

SA 895 816

TAS 43 38

VIC 4156 3403

WA 3285 2754

NT 3 0

TOTAL 20153 16146

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THE DOG ADOPTION INDEX

By analysing the PetRescue statistics, we can rank the efforts of States who are most successful in finding adoptive

families for their homeless dogs. These figures are based upon the numbers of dogs who passed through the

PetRescue network in the table above. Overall the results are extremely pleasing.

In 2009 80% of all Australian dogs listed for adoption on PetRescue.com.au

found new homes, thanks to the efforts of rescue groups and dog adoption

drives throughout the country.

All states report high percentages of successful

adoption rates, with some incredible standouts.

South Australia takes the top position for the

highest percentage of successful adoptions – a feat

that has to be congratulated.

However, for every dog that is adopted there are

many more who are caught in the pound and shelter

system and are euthanased before they can find a

place on an adoption list.

Rescue groups and carers operate at capacity, and

they cannot take more animals into their networks.

According to PetRescue, for every dog that is

adopted, another can be released from the pound to

take its place in a rescue group.

This means that when you adopt one dog, you might actually be saving the life of two.

TOP DOG Adopting Table

Ranking of the States in order of percentage of successful dog adoption placements

1. South Australia – 91% 2. Queensland – 90%

3. Tasmania – 88% 4. Western Australia – 84%

5. ACT – 84% 6. Victoria – 82%

7. New South Wales – 72% (PetRescue rehoming statistics – 2009)

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BUSTING THE MYTHS ABOUT DOG ADOPTION

There are a handful of myths about dogs available for adoption. Many of these are misconceptions about why the

dog is up for adoption in the first place. These misconceptions can prevent people from thinking about adopting a

dog, so it’s about time we busted a few.

! “This dog has been in a pound… there must be something wrong with it”

The majority of reasons why people surrender their dog to the pound has more to do with lifestyle issues than the

dogs themselves. The dogs who enter shelters are, for the most part, universally good pets who lived in a home

environment. When matched to the right home, and the right family, they make perfect pets.

! “An older dog from a pound is more likely to have problems than a puppy”

Contrary to popular belief that a puppy is a clean slate, and an adult an unknown quantity, it is the adult dog whose

personality you can classify more easily than a puppy. A carer will be able to tell you exactly whether he’s the type

of dog to get on with kids, whether he wants other dogs around or is happier on his own, and overall what type of

lifestyle he needs. Having a rescue group help match you to the perfect pet means that pet has a home for life.

! “If I get an adopted dog, I can only get mutts and half-breeds”

Far from it. Breeds found in rescue groups and shelters match the most popular breeds in the community. Pure

breeds, mix breeds and designer are all found in abundance and are ready for adoption.

! “Any adopted dog is likely to have behavioural issues”

The vast majority of dogs entering rescue are happy, healthy pets and the most common ‘behaviour issue’ found in

rescue dogs is simply a lack of basic training. This might include a dog having to overcome their perpetual

enthusiasm, not jumping up on people and generally learning how to interact with a family. The same things that

any dog needs to learn to become a well-mannered pet.

Those very few dogs who have real issues – whether behavioural or health – will only be matched to experienced

adopters who are happy to take on a special needs dog; and with the right love and attention these too can become

great pets.

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DOG ADOPTION CASE STUDIES

MADDY, THE STAR (Victoria)

Maddy had been spotted at a pet shop and sold as a cute little white fluffy puppy, designed to be a lap dog and to

live in a small inner city home. But Maddy's real heritage soon came to light, when she just didn't stop growing!

Maddy was driving herself and those around her mad, barking and spinning constantly in a backyard. It soon

became apparent that Maddy was a Border Collie mix, and all her energy and intelligence just didn't fit into a small

courtyard, so Maddy's owners surrendered her to a local pound.

When Maddy's new family saw her on PetRescue.com.au, they knew she was the one for them. Her owner, Serina,

said, “I first saw Maddy online and she looked so sad. She was surrendered to the pound at the age of six months

because she barked all the time. She was a Christmas puppy who spent her first six months in a small yard with

nothing to do and being a working breed, she began to spin around in a tight circle and barked due to boredom.”

Serina and her family spoke to the rescue group and discovered that Maddy would be a great match.

“Her foster parents brought her to our property to see what we could offer, and to see if she would get along with

our other pets. We then found ourselves the proud owners of Maddy. We can't imagine life without her.”

As a result Maddy has become a central feature of the family – balanced and happy with all of her needs met. She

spends her days running on acreage, swimming at the beach and comes home to snuggle up for all the cuddles she

can take. Maddy is a happier dog, and joins an extended tribe that includes Tammy (the small terrier), Rainier (the

great Dane), Duke (the large dark brown horse), Razzamatazz (the black and white pony), Lambertus (the sheep)

and of course Serina, her husband Andre and their son Kai.

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ELISE, THE SPECIAL NEEDS (Queensland)

Elise (previously Bumper) is a seven-year-old Jack Russell. Her original owner was forced to surrender her when

she was unable to find any pet friendly rental accommodation. Elise is completely blind, and the Animal Welfare

League who cared for her initially, thought she was going to be hard to place.

Thanks to PetRescue and PEDIGREE® Pet Pages, she found her new home within a week.

Byron saw her in the Pet Pages in his local Sunday paper and drove an hour each way to meet her.

“Who would take on an animal that was seven years old and totally blind?” Byron asked. “But it has been one of the

best decisions I have ever made.”

The carers at the shelter knew in an instant that he was the perfect match for her.

Byron gave Elise her new name as well as a special place in his heart. It took only a couple of days for the pair to

bond, and importantly for Elise to know her way around.

“Now she rules!” laughed Byron. “She trots at a good pace through the house and yard without a problem. We cover

two blocks on our evening walk and I have trouble keeping up with her. I have to keep reminding myself that she

can’t see.

“My new best friend is very special, and not just because she is blind.”

Byron urges people to give consideration to adopting a dog with special needs.

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WALLACE AND MAYLEY, THE BOUTIQUE BREED (South Australia)

The Shar Peis Wallace and Mayley were picked up as strays. Wallace ended up in Mornington Pound in Victoria,

and Mayley in the Hawkesbury in NSW.

Renee and her partner Shane weren’t specifically looking to adopt a boutique breed, but Renee found Wallace’s

story online through PetRescue.com.au and fell in love with him immediately. After conversations with the rescue

group to work out whether they were the right match, Renee and Shane flew Wallace up to meet them.

“I have to say he is the best thing that has come into our lives,” said Renee. “He is such a well behaved boy who

has fitted in so well to our family and the neighbourhood. He is positively famous in our street because everyone

that walks pasts always stops to say hello and is so intrigued.”

It wasn’t long before Renee and Shane decided that Wallace needed a partner, so Renee contacted the rescue

group again – and found Mayley. After introductions it was clear that Wallace had found a playmate, and Renee and

Shane a new member of the family.

“Mayley has a completely different personality to Wallace,” said Renee. “She is the most affectionate little girl and,

like Wallace, has settled in so well to the house. They are best friends now and she looks up to him in the yard and

whenever we go for a walk she has to be right alongside him. Her and Wallace were meant to be together.”

Renee explained that she didn’t know a lot about Shar Pei’s before meeting Wallace, but that she’s “well and truly

hooked now”.

“Shar Peis are such an interesting breed. Mayley constantly looks like she is smiling, and Wallace makes me laugh

everyday. What more could you want? I drive home from work with a smile on my face because I look forward to

seeing them, and the way they greet me at the gate makes any bad day a good one.”

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JETT, THE PUPPY (Western Australia)

Andrea had been looking for a playmate for Buster, her six-year-old Staffordshire terrier. She contacted the rescue

groups, presuming that she would find a two or three-year-old dog who would match well with Buddy’s personality.

None of the available Staffies appeared to complement Buster, until Andrea was sent an image of puppy Jett with a

bit of background about his plight.

Jett had been found wandering at just a few weeks of age. He was lucky enough to be taken in by a local rescue

group in Broome, where he was cared for until he was ready for adoption.

Although a puppy wasn’t what Andrea expected, she melted when she looked at Jett’s image.

“When I received the photo, and the information about his personality, I simply couldn’t resist adopting him. So I

filled in the paperwork, and Jett was flown down to Perth from Broome a couple of weeks later.”

Although wary at first, Buster quickly took on the role of big brother. Andrea was overjoyed to see them bond.

“Buster allowed this playful little puppy to turn his, and our, life upside down. Buster turned into a puppy again, it

was fantastic to watch their interaction.”

Andrea believes that her dogs are “delightful additions to the family”.

“Our house will never be the same,” laughed Andrea. “Not simply because both boys have jointly destroyed the

backyard!”

Jett as puppy

Jett today

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BROWNIE, THE EX-RACER (NSW)

It is not uncommon for greyhounds to end up in shelters, pounds and with rescue groups. Ex-racing greyhounds

make great pets, even if most people have formed misapprehensions about their suitability. This was Sophie and

Alex’s experience when they went looking for a companion dog for William, their “rather bossy West Highland

terrier”.

Initially looking for a whippet, Sophie and Alex’s eye was taken by Brownie, declaring him a “beautiful boy” with his

graceful greyhound lines.

“Brownie adapted from being a racer, housed in a kennel, to pet life in an instant,” said Sophie. “He is one of the

sweetest natured dogs I know, and loves nothing better than to lie on a sofa all day snoozing.”

Contrary to popular belief, according to Sophie, greyhounds are “loving, low maintenance, easy going and good

natured with other dogs”. This made Brownie a perfect addition to Sophie and Alex’s household and a great

playmate for William. “He’s the ideal family pet.”

The pet family combination is quite eye catching, with the long legs of Brownie and the faithful William at his side.

“Brownie attracts a lot of attention and admiring comments on our walks,” said Sophie.

“Although Brownie only won a single race, to us he’s a total champion.”

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MR WINKLE, THE FAMILY MAKER (Tasmania)

Single mother Catherine and her two young daughters had a family of cats, but no dog. Catherine was concerned to

bring a dog into the household mix because of her eldest daughter’s deep-seated fear of dogs, but she felt it was

important to expand their family unit and to allow her daughter to trust.

As part of the adoption process, Catherine was encouraged to bring her daughters, as well as one of her cats, into

the shelter to meet Mr Winkle to see how the group would react. The shelter staff were surprised by Mr Winkle’s

response, as he took happily to the new tribe and immersed himself immediately. It didn’t take too long before

Catherine’s eldest daughter was patting and rubbing Mr Winkle’s ears, and confidently walking the small Terrier

around the lunchroom on a lead.

The family unit was altered enormously, but the most important change was in Catherine herself.

“I am very excited to have found Mr Winkle,” said Catherine. “I certainly didn’t expect to find him so quickly!”

She also didn’t anticipate herself to fall so heavily in love with the patient and well-trained Mr Winkle, and he has

quickly become a companion as well as a friend.

“As a single mum, Mr Winkle is great company for me, especially late at night when my girls have gone to bed.”

Routines have now been built, and life has started anew. Catherine says that for her and her girls, as well as the

cats, they have “a new member of the family, not just a pet, in Mr Winkle.”

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WHO IS WHO IN PetRescue?

PetRescue

PetRescue began in 2003, when three friends got together over a quiet pint to discuss their day. They were all

working in 'real' jobs but were volunteering at various local shelters. They were struck by how many happy, healthy

'normal' dogs were being euthanased because there weren't enough adopters. And conversely how many people

didn't adopt because the idea of going to a shelter was too sad, or they believed all the dogs came with issues.

The idea was simple; they’d launch www.petrescue.com.au, free to all rescue groups, to list pets for adoption to

help break down these barriers. What started as a website, has now grown into a national movement that provides

re-homing programs and resources to over 600 rescue groups, helping find new homes for over 50,000 pets.

Michelle Williamson – TOP DOG General Manager Shel is the creator, co-founder and General Manager of PetRescue. With a background in administrative management, Shel spent a year researching and creating a strategic plan for PetRescue that in just 5 years has grown into Australia's largest online rehoming organisation. Shel is well known and respected throughout the Australian and international rescue community.

Shel is not afraid to explore ideas that challenge the status quo of the rescue industry in Australia.

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Vickie Davy – MEDIA HOUND Marketing & Brand Manager

Vix' diverse background makes her a perfect fit within the PetRescue team. Drawing on a career in advertising and design both here and overseas, she brings a wealth of marketing, advertising and creative talent to the organisation. Following a passion for animal welfare and behaviour, Vix has trained to become a certified Behavioural Dog Trainer, is a member of the Deta Professional Dog Trainers Association and the Australian Association of Pet Dog Trainers. Her in-depth understanding of animal behaviour, rescue and welfare make Vix a hugely valuable resource.

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John Bishop – WEB MONKEY Website and Online Media Manager

JB took an idea and created one of the most popular pet industry websites in Australia. As co-founder of PetRescue, JB single-handedly developed www.PetRescue.com.au, with a site infrastructure that provides access to over 1.8 million visitors each year. JB's role in PetRescue is not purely technical - he remains an integral part of the day-to-day running and is strongly involved in marketing and the development of ideas.

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JB brings skills in a wide range of IT and Internet-related disciplines - providing a digital solution for almost any problem.

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WHAT YOU CAN DO

ADOPTING A DOG

The easiest way Australians can go about adopting is to visit www.pedigreeadoptiondrive.com.au - connecting you

through to the largest national directory of pets available for adoption. There you can search for the dog of your

dreams, contact the rescue group to find out more about them, and research the suitability of that pet to your

lifestyle.

Or check out the PETS PAGES every week from April through to August in the following

newspapers – the Sunday Perth Times (WA), the Daily Telegraph (NSW), the Courier Mail (QLD), the Herald Sun

(VIC) and the Adelaide Advertiser (SA). The Pet Pages list dogs available for adoption. Many dog owners have

been introduced to their new pet through the Pets Pages – and you could too.

ABOUT THE PEDIGREE® ADOPTION DRIVE

The annual PEDIGREE® Adoption Drive is now in its third year. The Adoption Drive champions the importance of

adopting homeless dogs, working towards reducing the numbers who are needlessly euthanased every year. In

2009, The PEDIGREE® Adoption Drive saw over 3000 dogs rescued. This year we seek to find new homes for

at least 4000 more.

Australians can support the PEDIGREE® Adoption Drive by either adopting a homeless dog, donating via

pedigreeadoptiondrive.com.au, or buying PEDIGREE®.

For every specially marked PEDIGREE® can and dry food purchased, PEDIGREE® will make a donation to

PetRescue, helping homeless Aussie dogs find loving homes. Branded merchandise is also available online, with

profits going to further support the cause. Since the beginning of this initiative, The PEDIGREE® Adoption Drive

has raised over $675,000 towards improving the life of homeless dogs. This year we intend to grow the donation

figure by at least another $100,000.

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MEDIA CONTACTS

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Media contacts:!

Lisa Knox Consultant, DEC Communications 0450 450 163!

Kirstin Wallace Consultant, DEC Communications 0401 978 065!

Liberty Lee Account Director, DEC Communications 0413 474 378!

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Available for adoption:

Bentley the beagle needs a new home as his devastated owner has to move interstate and cannot take him.

He is a real character, very sweet and friendly. He’s also great with other dogs.

the pedigree 2010 dog adoption index · - the total numbers of dogs received in victorian council...

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