Rescued just in time from a northern suburbs backyard, a Siberian husky named Snow is the face of this year’s RSPCA Guardian Angel Christmas Appeal.
The eight-year-old dog was found in a state of extreme emaciation when taken into RSPCA South Australia’s care in June last year. (RSPCA inspectors also located the emaciated and deceased body of a second husky, a three-year-old male dog named Jedi. The dogs’ owners, a couple in their mid-20s were convicted on cruelty charges in March).
“Snow’s tragic story has a happy ending, but it was only possible because of support from our community,” RSPCA SA’s Fundraising Manager Gemma Weedall said. “From someone first reporting the situation, then Snow being found and rushed to a vet by one of our inspectors, her recovery in supported foster care and eventual rehoming – all her treatment and care was paid for by donations.”
Almost half of the approximately 900 animals currently in RSPCA SA’s care are at the main Lonsdale shelter. The remainder are living in the homes of volunteer foster carers or in RSPCA’s regional shelters at Whyalla and Port Lincoln. Most of the animals in care are dogs and cats, though there are also rabbits, guinea pigs, horses (all are the subject of ongoing prosecution cases), birds and a turtle.
“We’d love all these beautiful animals to find good homes well before Christmas, but if not, then they will be needing ongoing care through the holiday period,” Gemma said. “We’re asking people to become Guardian Angels for these animals – it’s a way to contribute in a practical way to their care until they find their forever homes.”
In the last financial year, RSPCA SA found new homes for a record number of 6017 animals. Based on the last three years, RSPCA South Australia is expecting around 2,500 animals to come into its care from November to January.
The annual Christmas appeal is vital for boosting the organisation’s funds as RSPCA staff and volunteers working at the shelters prepare for their busiest time of the year.
