What makes the AWL Qld different?

This will be my first blog for the AWL Qld – it’s something I’ve been meaning to do for some time, but never seem to have the time!

I just wanted to jump online and ‘vent’ about an ongoing (but perhaps personal) grievance.We’re trying to promote a few things that are happening at the AWL Qld at the moment, and while we’ve managed to finally attract the attention of some new media organisations, they don’t seem to see the importance in differentiating us from other animal welfare agencies. While we fully support and recognise the efforts of these other groups, it makes it even harder for us to attract new supporters, which is vital to our cause as we receive no government funding.

But it’s not just those who are familiar with the work of the AWL who may be confused; often I am told by people at events  that “Oh, yes! I know you! We support you all the time, we even adopted a dog from you three years ago!” To which I respond “Wow, that’s wonderful, thanks so much for choosing to adopt an animal.”  They then usually go on to say they donate to us at Christmas every year and give the name of another group.

Which is all well and good, don’t get me wrong, anything that helps homeless, sick, injured or abandoned animals is absolutely fantastic – after all, we’re all working towards a common goal: A brighter future for all animals.

Staff at pet supply shops who rehome animals on our behalf have also found the same thing – that many customers are very happy that the stores are supporting AWL, but don’t often have a clear understanding of who we are.  When staff try and explain the differences, ie highlighting the innovative ways we work towards a zero euthanasia future for companion animals, they often get the same response – ‘Oh yes, but you all do the same thing, don’t you?’  Well, yes…but no.

There’s a few key points of difference about the AWL Qld, ones I would like to highlight now:
1. We do not have a time limit on animals in our care.
2. We have a zero euthanasia policy; meaning we do not euthanase animals simply due to lack of space.
3. We do not receive any government funding for our welfare work; relying on the generosity of the community and our hardworking volunteers and foster carers.
4. We never turn away an animal in need.
5. We participate with pet supply stores in order to reach more members of the community and rehome more animals (while also creating more space at the shelter).
6. We heavily support and promote early age desexing through both the Last Litter Fund (we’ll desex the mother if the litter of kittens/puppies is surrendered to the AWL) and the National Desexing Network (a free, Australia-wide voucher-based referral system enabling low-income earners to have their pets desexed at a participating vet in their area).
7. All AWL animals are desexed, microchipped, vaccinated, wormed, flea-treated and health-checked by a vet prior to adoption.
8. We operate two Community Vet Clinics in south-east Qld which offer affordable vet services to the public; this means people can access quality vet care as soon as their pet needs it, not just when owners can afford it.
9. We accept all animals; whether they be old, ugly, ill, infirm, unpopular, not just the cute, desirable, and easily-rehomed (although we have those, too!).
10. We offer a 10-day health guarantee and 21-day settling in period to ensure the transition from sanctuary to home is as smooth and successful as possible.
11. We take in animals from all over; including the Brisbane, Beaudesert, Logan, Ipswich and Gold Coast council pounds (plus surrenders from the community).

Because we have been helping find new, forever homes for the cats and dogs in our care for the past 50 years we really need to raise our profile if we expect to do so for another 50. We have achieved our goal of zero euthanasia of healthy, friendly Gold Coast animals – an incredible achievement in a city with a population of 600,000. The AWL Qld has not had to euthanase a Gold Coast dog of this type since June 2008 or cat since May 2009 and we are striving to maintain this. We will not rest until we are also saving the lives of every timid and treatable animal so please support us by letting as many people as you can know about our life-saving work, and encourage them to support us in our mission.

Gabrielle Wheaton

AWL Qld PR Manager

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Tags: animal welfare, AWL Qld, zero euthanasia