Wags All Round: Caring for the Pets of Dubbo

RSPCA NSW recently visited Apollo house, Dubbo, to host their annual community ‘Healthy Pet Day’. The events were hosted in collaboration with local partners RSCPA Dubbo Supporters Group, with additional support provided by Regional Dubbo Council.

Travelling from Sydney with the RSPCA NSW team were members of the Orchard Hills Veterinary Hospital team, and donations of food and parasite prevention treatments were also generously supplied by Animal Rescue Cooperative (ARC).

A total of 76 animals, 67 dogs and 9 cats, were health checked, vaccinated, provided with parasite protection and given pet food on the day.  Thirty animals (40% of those seen) were booked in to be desexed at a local veterinary practice in the coming weeks. A further 25 animals were also microchipped on the day.

The RSPCA NSW Outreach program aims to support high priority communities with services and initiatives that improve the welfare and wellbeing animals and their owners.

There has been a high demand for services and support identified in the region, making the facilitation of a Healthy Pet Day in Dubbo a priority for the RSPCA NSW Outreach team.

“Our main reason for doing outreach work is prevention” says RSPCA NSW Outreach Programs Senior Manager, Dr Ann-Margret Withers.

RSPCA NSW Outreach Vet with a happy pet. 

“Our goal is to assist pet owners struggling with the cost of living and to improve animal welfare, not just in the home, but in the community as a whole. Healthy Pet Days are essential to ensure animals are receiving the care they require, and that people and their pets can ultimately stay together, no matter their financial circumstances”

Whilst the team of three vets and 17 volunteers and RSPCA NSW staff spoke to attendees and health checked pets, RSPCA NSW Education Officer, Tania, visited three separate schools and spoke with over 420 students to encourage animal advocacy at all ages to increase their understanding of how to care for animals, to develop empathy, and to empower young people to make changes and become animal advocates.

One fantastic example of the community working together came in the form of a young neighbour, who helped her aunty by bringing her dog to the Dubbo Healthy Pet Day for her.

The dog, who had an injured toe and had also recently given birth to pups, was able to be health checked on site by veterinarians and identified as needing treatment, which RSPCA Central West Supporters Group is now assisting with.

As the owner is elderly and unable to provide transport for her dog, local council rangers are also supporting the owner with transport to the local vet for treatment and desexing.

“To support RSPCA NSW’s ongoing mission please consider donating or becoming a volunteer,” said Dr. Withers

“This work would not be possible without our fantastic partners and the support of the community, which we are so grateful for”

For more information visit www.rspcansw.org.au/what-we-do/working-in-communities or to donate visit www.rspcansw.org.au/how-you-can-help/ways-to-give.

Dropbox link to view images from both Dubbo Day is available here.