Ten-year-old Gracie is perhaps one of The Lost Dogs’ Home’s youngest supporters. She recently donated $250 to the Home from her Be Kind To Animals Club which raises funds through membership fees! Gracie offers full and part memberships to her Club for $1 and 50c and in return, members receive a monthly newsletter and membership certificate.
One of Gracie’s recent newsletters contained a very important message that The Lost Dogs’ Home fully stands behind:
“Make sure that this New Year’s Eve our dogs are safe inside or outside so they don’t escape from your house. It is the highest day or night that dogs escape. So keep your dog safe by protecting it from the fireworks. Dogs can go mad.”
Dogs can in fact ‘go mad’ when exposed to unfamiliar, loud noises and can quickly become erratic and panicked. This causes dogs to try to escape from their normal surroundings to seek refuge from the noise. The Lost Dogs’ Home advises that pet owners check their fences and gates, or even better, put their dogs inside the house where they will feel more secure. In some cases, dogs may need to be sedated where it is known they will fret. In this instance, veterinary advice should be sought. The Lost Dogs’ Home admits seven times the normal number of lost dogs on New Year’s Day.
Aside from how to keep your dog safe on New Year’s Eve, Gracie’s newsletter also mentions what to do if you find a lost dog, how to protect snails and spiders and what presents you can buy for your pets!
Gracie has been fortunate to be around pets from a young age. She has a very special bond with one particular dog called Murray. Murray was adopted from The Lost Dogs’ Home by Gracie’s carer, Jeri, and they have enjoyed a close friendship ever since. Murray is a Border Collie-Springer Spaniel cross and although he is now a very calm dog, when he was first adopted by Jeri, he was nervous and distressed. Lots of love and training have paid off and he is well and truly Gracie’s favourite dog.
There are many ways members of the community can support The Lost Dogs’ Home and make an important contribution to the welfare of the animals in our care. Gracie’s Be Kind To Animals Club is a wonderful example of a young person combining her passion and creativity to make a difference to the lives of many dogs and cats at the Home. A donation of $250 is enough to microchip 12 dogs or care for two kittens while they await adoption.
If you would like to make a contribution to The Lost Dogs’ Home, follow the link below.
