The Ballarat Animal Shelter has been overwhelmed with the generosity of the animal loving Ballarat community this festive season.
The shelter received plenty of treats, bedding, wet food, toys and even a few small pools for the animals to play in over Summer.
The donations will be instrumental in supporting the staff and volunteers to care for many animals over the coming months.
Items such as peanut butter, sardines and other treats provide the staff opportunities to reward, train and provide enrichment to the animals in the shelter to assist settling into their temporary new home.
City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said some of the animals that come into the shelter’s care struggle to adapt to shelter life and treats and toys can assist those animals to adapt.
“I’ve seen cats playing with ping pong balls, dogs exercising with tug of war toys and fresh beds being made up, and without the generosity of Ballarat this all wouldn’t be possible” he said.
“It’s a great time of year to spend with your loved ones, including those of the furry variety, it’s great to know the animals in the shelter will have some treats and new toys to play with.”
In Ballarat there are currently more than 15,000 dogs and more than 6,000 cats registered.
This year the Ballarat Animal Shelter saw a total of 2,430 animals come through the shelter, this included 1,090 dogs and puppies, 1,268 cats and kittens and 72 guinea pigs, rabbits, rodents, pigs, chickens and goats.
Cr Hudson said the Ballarat Animal Shelter staff do a fantastic job at looking after the thousands of animals that come through the doors each year.
“The team at the shelter spend all day cleaning, caring and trying to find forever homes for the many animals in the shelter, the donations provided by the community are a great help the staff and volunteers” he said.
The Ballarat Animal Shelter will be open throughout the festive season, and only closed on the public holidays. The out of hours team will always be available for reclaims, which is why it is so important your animals are microchipped and registered.
The Ballarat Animal Shelter will accept donations at the shelter all year round. Specifically, items such as flat sheets and towels, treats, toys and wet food can be donated at 5 Gillingham Drive, Alfredton, between the hours of 9am and 4pm Monday to Friday.
