THE Animal Welfare League will welcome back its ‘10th lifers’ this Easter long weekend, with about 20 Save Every Life cats taking control of the boardroom from Saturday, April 3 until Monday, April 5.
The AWL Qld is open seven days a week, 50 weeks a year, only closing on Christmas Day and Good Friday, so staff and volunteers are praying that people heed the appeal by adopting a cat and saving a life.
AWL Qld PR manager Gabrielle Wheaton said without the Save Every Life program the shelter would not have reached zero euthanasia of healthy, friendly Gold Coast cats and dogs, which was why it was so vital for the appeal to work.
“At the moment we have 80 cats in the SEL program – that’s 80 cats who, in the past, would have lost their lives due to overcrowding concerns,” Miss Wheaton said.
“Since the SEL program launched last May, it has saved the lives of hundreds of beautiful cats who have instead been sent to foster carers until there is room for them to return to the AWL’s adoption pens or pet shops who rehome on our behalf.
“Easter is, for many, a time of rebirth and renewal, so what better way to enjoy the holiday than with a new, eternally grateful, companion at your side?
“Our cats are certainly sweeter than chocolate, are much better for your health, and last much longer than the traditional chocolate splurge, so why not consider treating yourself to a fuzzy lap-warmer in the led-up to winter while also saving lives.”
SEL cats will be brought back from their foster homes for three days only, as they will need to be kept in crates in the charity’s boardroom as there is simply no room at the shelter anywhere else.
During the three-day appeal, you can adopt one of these fine felines for a minimum donation of $30, which covers administration and paperwork costs.
“Normally we would not consider allowing people to adopt for such a small donation, as it costs us about $500 to care for each animal at the AWL, however as we are so full, and have been for months, we have little choice,” Miss Wheaton said.
“The fact we now have 80 SEL cats when the program was only ever meant to have about 10 cats maximum at any one time was also taken into consideration.
“Our foster carers are so caring, and understanding, however we can’t rely on them forever when we know there must be more loving homes out there needing the feline touch.
“Please, come and adopt an SEL cat and help keep the AWL Queensland’s first zero-euthanasia animal shelter.”
Miss Wheaton said the League also had 183 cats and kittens, and 11 dogs and puppies also ready to adopt immediately (and another 283 animals in other foster homes also waiting for space).
