The adoptions are still going well for both the cats and the dogs and for the first time we are down to well under 30 dogs and about 45 cats. In fact, we are running out of dogs for adoption which is wonderful. We have had four new dog surrenders this week, they need all their vet work done and one might be pregnant.

Last week was a special week for all charities and social enterprises that have volunteers to help them achieve their purpose. Volunteering is wonderful way to give back to the community; it is far more than that especially at Happy Paws Haven. We love volunteers and acknowledge the wonderful work they do for us in so many different ways.

The beauty of volunteering is that it is a win win all round, not only is Happy Paws Haven able to continue the powerful work we do but those who do volunteer for us feel good.

Volunteering helping animals in particular helps us all, those who are depressed, are mentally ill, often anxious, suffering from PTSD, addiction get a lot of benefit from helping with the animals, grooming, training, building their confidence and that of the animal, learning work life skills to help them get jobs in the future, reaping the benefits of unconditional love, learning animal body language and communication skills, assisting with telling their stories on Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, assisting with our office work, fund raising, collecting newspapers, making dog coats, leads, collars and harnesses.

Collecting donations, taking animals to our vet, walking the dogs, caring for the cats there is so very much people can do, it is not just for those who have retired, but those who love animals regardless of age, those who need to build their own confidence, work experience and leadership skills.

When dog training resumes, we are looking for people to come and help us attend training classes with our dogs, this is great experience for school age children and adolescents especially if they can’t have a dog at home.

We have over the years have been helped by all sorts of people from all walks of life and ages, a very BIG thank you to everyone who has ever helped us over the last 15 years, please feel that each and everyone one of you have contributed to where we are now, feel good about all the great things you have helped us with, it has been an amazing journey so far. Thank you to everyone who is helping us today for the awesome work you do for us and hopefully will continue to do for us for as long as you are able to. Every contribution matters to Happy Paws Haven and the wellbeing of the animals. Thank you.

Rescues and surrenders
We are trying to limit the number of animals being rescued as you know. We had four new surrenders this week. Our restrictions now are due to vet availability for the non-urgent work such as desexing

Cats and Kittens for adoption this week:

We get all cats vet checked prior to adoption to make sure that we comply to the standards required by any pet shop. We have adopted out well over 1200 cats over the last 12 years and only a small percentage having developed any illness as a result of the change in environment but now we are being extremely careful. All our animals are microchipped, immunised and desexed as soon as possible after they arrive. Our Rehoming number is 251000043

My name is Erla, I was dumped in a box with 10 other kittens and our mother outside one of the committee members house. She had lots of cats of her own and just could not afford to take on all of us as well, so we went into foster care. I have had my operation and all my needles with the others from the kitten house and now we are ready to find wonderful loving homes. We are all loving friendly affectionate young teenage cats waiting for a loving home. My microchip: 900079000382722

Tiggi, Tirri and Tilli were found in a park near some flats, they were taken to a pet shop who said they could not take them as they all have a twisted or kinked tail and were not perfectly normal kittens. The vet has said it is probably inherited and as it is not affecting our behaviour or our bodily functions… we should be fine. We are a little shy when we meet strangers but as soon as we get to know them, we turn into beautiful affectionate smoochy cats. We are normal playful curious mischievous kittens. We have now been desexed, micro-chipped and immunised ready to be adopted. My microchip is: 900079000382737

Toshi and her three siblings came at the same time as Erica and her family. They were found out near Clarence Way not far from a creek in the bush, they were young and friendly not at all wild. They were picked up put in a box and left at our gate with the hope we would find them before the dogs or the eagles. They are only slightly younger than Erik and his family. All are black with little tiny tufts of white in their ears or their chest or under their chin, with the exception of Toshi. They are all very friendly affectionate young cats. They are all desexed, vaccinated, micro-chipped, regularly wormed and deflead ready for their new homes. 900079000382720

Dogs for adoption for this week:

We get all dogs vet checked prior to adoption to make sure that we comply to the standards required by any pet shop. All our animals are microchipped, immunised and desexed as soon as possible after they arrive. All dogs are also tested to make sure that they do not have heart worm. We have rescued and adopted out well over 1300 dogs over the last 12 years. Our Rehoming number is 251000043

Brogue is a loving dog who will be very loyal to whoever gives him a home. He is great on a leash, loves his walks and enjoys being involved with people as much as possible. Due to him being a Maremma cross cattle dog he does have a stubborn streak but that just adds to his personality. He is mostly stubborn when it is bed- time or when you can’t hang out with him because he just wants to be included. He likes other dogs but struggles to know where he stands in the pack unless there is an older dog to tell him. He would be a great companion for an older female dog, as he enjoys having company. Brogue will be a great buddy for anyone wanting an active friend and someone to snuggle up at your feet in the evenings. Brogue came to us as his owner could no longer keep him. He gets on with other dogs but is better when there is an older dog to keep him in his place. He needs his owner to be fair but firm and to have something for him to do as he is a very smart dog. Not long ago a dog was surrendered and was in the yard next to him, there was a locked gate between them but somehow Brogue’s leg hot under the fence/gate and the other dog had a go at it which resulted in Brogue losing a toe. He seems to be at times an accident waiting to happen. Unlike a lot of Maremma’s he loves being with humans so does not like being left alone all the time at all.  He has been desexed chipped immunised and regularly treated for parasites. 943094320462482

Kevin and Vinnie arrived last week from Casino, their owner and trainer is elderly and has now retired so to help him out we volunteered to take two of his beautiful boys. Like all greyhounds they love to have a play and zoom first thing in the morning and later in the afternoon. In between they prop and stop becoming couch potatoes. These two young animals are very well behaved, quiet, affectionate, gentle loving dogs. They would be very suitable as a companion to anyone regardless of their age and wellbeing. They are great pets for anyone with a bad back as you done need to bend down to groom them give them a stroke or a gentle pat. They love being around humans and are low maintenance dogs as they do not require much exercise. They have been desexed, immunised and have a micro-chip. They also have been wormed and treated for all our common parasites. 956000008689292

Here is Shani’s story. We received a call from the owner of a mum with 8 x 3-4 week old puppies in late 2015, saying that she lived in a rough part of South Grafton and she was frightened that neighbours would harm them in some way. The pups have grown up to be loving affectionate young dogs and all have found homes except Sharni. Shani is a beautiful female who has had all her vaccinations, been desexed, regularly treated for parasites and is microchipped. She has a very loving nature and is cattle dog smart. She is a great athlete, can jump fences only to be with you so need to be in a home that has someone home most of the time with space for them to run and play. She really wants to please so would be great at obedience, rally O and/or agility or other dog sports. She could also be trained as assistance dogs as she has not a mean bone in her body. She is however wary of loud unknown noises, can be spooked by a truck roaring by or using its air brakes. She really needs a special someone who is semi-retired or works from home and is willy to spend the time gaining her confidence as she is a loving dog. I hope that is you? 943094320462383

Happy Paws Haven is open seven days a week for animal adoptions. Phone: Sally on 0419 404 766 or 6644 9936 seven days a week, email sally on happypawshaven@bigpond.com or visit Happy Paws at www.happypawshaven.com.au