Sugar & slice and all things nice!

Slices and cakes, washed down with a side of lemonade then accompanied by homemade doggy treats, sound good? It sure does to animals across the State!

Every one of the 44,187 animals that needed help from RSPCA NSW last year are thanking Oliver Bylart and his friends, Bradley and Micah. Their recent fundraising efforts saw them selling edible delights at a local dog walking beach in Nelson Bay, Port Stephens.

As a non-government funded charity, RSPCA NSW relies heavily on the support of the community to raise the $37 million required to run the organisation every year. So for three friends to take time out of their busy social lives to make, bake and take their goods to the local community and get everyone donating to help unwanted, neglected and abused animals, is an amazing feat!

Every dollar counts so RSPCA NSW Education thanks Oliver, Bradley and Micah for their initiative and passion for animal welfare! We hear the next fundraising event is just around the corner...we can't wait!


Mmm...if you have any leftover doggie treats, send them our way!



How do I care for a woof, meow or cluck?

Such important questions are often asked of the RSPCA NSW Education Team and the answer is not so simple. So when Lindfield East Public School invited the Team to speak with the Year 2 students, Education Officer, Eva, was prepared for a myriad of questions, queries and qualms.

The Responsible Pet Ownership Program equips participants with an in-depth knowledge of 9 facets of what it means to care for a pet. It focuses primarily on the care of our canine and feline friends but Lindfield East Public may find the content more relevant for their future prospects as guinea pig carers! How wonderful for an animal to have several hundred guardians and this is nothing new for the resident chooks (pictured below).

Hopefully we'll see you guys knocking at RSPCA's doors soon to adopt one of our pocket pets!

Brave lil chook came on over to say hello.

So proud of their homes, they couldn't wait to show us around!

Fun at sundown

With daylight savings behind us, RSPCA NSW Education is squeezing in as many education visits as possible during the daylight hours (our eyesight just isn't as good as our animal counterparts) but last Friday saw Education Officers, Zoe and Eva, push their night time vision to the limit.

A primary school in Marrickville took advantage of the wonderfully clear night and held their first outdoor movie night - with a dog movie, dog food, dog face painting and dog advice from RSPCA NSW. Before the sun set, Zoe and Eva had some good conversations with some canines that vaguely resembled students from the school and made sure the students/canines took away some RSPCA merchandise to remember their night.

With dog agility and a local vet on hand to chat to the kids, it was great to also focus on rehoming animals with Greyhound Rescue also in attendance. Zoe and Eva were given a chance to gush over two wonderful greyhounds who had previously called RSPCA home and then rehomed through the Rescue organisation.

It's all smiles before the sun goes down...

Safety in numbers

The numbers are in our favour as of yesterday morning when Education Officer, Eva, helped 25 preschoolers become Dog Safety experts.

RSPCA NSW Education's Dog Safety Program can be tailored to any age group from 3 years to 100 years! (We'd love to meet a Centenarian!). Lst Tuesday, the program was adapted for children aged 3-5 years and boy did they get it! The key messages involved in the program help all participants leave with a sense of how to better interact with our canine companions which ensures that all future experiences are positive for both the person and their canine friend.

With an extra 25 talkative children roaming the mean streets of Peakhurst, sharing their knowledge of a dogs' body language and steps to meeting a dog for the first time, it is just a matter of time before children, adults and canines can live in harmony...where canine body language is no longer mystery and the humble first meeting on the street is pleasant for both people and canines!

Yes I'm feeling happy, pat me!

What a life!

Max, the RSPCA NSW Education Team mascot, has had his fair share good and bad days. Sure, one time a kid called him a lion but Max isn't one to turn his nose up at a compliment of the feline kind.

Yesterday was definitely a good day for Maximus (affectionately lengthed by Education Officer, Eva) and he found himself living it up in on the warm sands of Coogee Beach. After a morning stroll where he made sure to obey the signs (see picture below), Max and his Education Officer sidekick, Eva, went along to a nearby Kindergarten. They had requested that the children be informed on safety around dogs and with an abundance of canine companions on the beach, often off-lead, it was a perfect idea!

Thanks to all the parents who turned up to the talk! It takes repetition and reiteration from the children's role models for all the new information to stick!

"Stay Max, stay...!"

Cruelty stopped...momentarily.

To each and every participant of the 'Stop Cruelty' sessions held over the April School Holidays, remember that you have been equipped with top secret and classified animal law enforcement information. Use it wisely.

Children and youths aged from 8 to 17 years signed up for the RSPCA Inspector and animal cruelty sessions over the most recent school holiday and were privvy to the workings of RSPCA NSW in their fight against animal cruelty.

Inspector French and Inspector Kendall briefed the participants on their role and powers and tested their resolve in realistic scenarios. Don't be fooled by the extreme views and acts the scenarios presented - sadly, they are not far from what the Inspectors deal with on a daily basis!

Should you witness animal cruelty in any form, report it immediately to RSPCA NSW on 1300 CRUELTY or 9770 7555.

Zoe was in character and it was up to Maddy and Elissa
to crack down on her animal cruelty ways!

We found the Cottage overrun with pets!

So it was time to send in the experts...the responsible pet ownership experts!

Education Officer, Eva, went along to Attunga Cottage last week to guide the children in their mission to become responsible pet owners.

The basics were covered, dog food for dogs, fresh water to be changed everyday but it quickly went beyond this and Eva challenged the children's understanding of what would keep their pets mentally stimulated. Various ideas were thrown around but the general consensus was increase the walks, time spent with the pet, provide a buffet of toys and you can minimise periods of boredom and frustration for your pet!

Thanks Attunga for inviting RSPCA NSW Education to be part of your pet-themed week, we hope you guys have the place under control now :)

Attunga Cottage Pet Corner, now open for business!