Share the love

RSPCA NSW Education Team members, Steph and Eva, welcomed students from the Youth Off The Streets Chapel School for their second visit to the Sydney Shelter last Friday.

During their previous visit, the students were instructed in methods of positive reinforcement to train two Shelter dogs, Bow and Jeanie. This time around we made sure they didn't give all their attention to our canine residents (the evidence is below). Starting with reiterating some basic good manners for several Shelter dogs, the students were fantastic in keeping Morris and Hunter entertained with fetch being the flavour of the day. The students were then taken into the Cattery where cuddles were shared all around.



Thanks for the cuddles Daniel!

 Thanks Chapel School for providing some much needed attention to our Shelter animals!


  

Aaron and Piper  we're having heaps of fun
- don't be fooled by their expressions.



Calvin and Jinx were bonding well, though Jinx
wasn't too keen on photo bonding time =)



We let Edward (the person) out...eventually.



Hop, hop, hop!

What a fantastic way to say "thanks" with a kangaroo hop, hoppity, hop! This is exactly what the 1st East Gosford Joey Scouts did yesterday to show their appreciation for Education Officer, Eva, making her way to the group for an all important discussion on responsible pet care.

The Scouts were spot-on with their knowledge and yet Eva was still able to astound them with information on how cats keep themselves clean, the harmful effect worms have on our pets and why it is so important to walk our dogs every single day - there's no such thing as a "lazy day" when you own a dog!

Our Education Team mascot, Max the Collie was having the afternoon off, so he sent along his
pal, Rusty the German Shepherd. For those of you who have been avidly following our Blog, you may have been eargerly awaiting the names for our new friends and yes Rusty and Dusty are their names, educating the NSW public is their game!

If you would love to meet the mascots or the Education Team, invite us to speak with your group! Call us on 9782 4460 or email us education@rspcansw.org.au

Thanks to Angie for inviting RSPCA Education to Gosford!

Living it large in Liverpool!

Despite the weather frowning on us yesterday, there were smiles all round at the Children's Week Community Event in Liverpool.

Education Team members, Mark, Steph and Eva, met many of the local residents, both adults and children, and heard some of their thoughts on the state of animal welfare affairs in the area. A major issue for many communities that continues to rear its head is the abundance of stray cats. A simple way cat owners can help ease the problem is to contain their cats to an enclosed area, at a minimum from dusk until dawn. Coupled with desexing, it would help to lessen the number of stray cats. A major campaign focusing on this issue is underway in Victoria so click here for more information.

If your local council or community are holding an event, the RSPCA NSW Education Team would love to go along and chat with anyone that comes our way! Contact us on 9782 4460 or education@rspcansw.org.au

A little cute...a lot of cuddly...and somewhat spikey!

Only spikey in his name, Spike the 8 year old Terrier cross, set hearts a flutter at a Retirement Village today.

RSPCA NSW Education Team members, Stef and Eva, were making a second visit to the Village and Spike was the chosen one to bring much wanted animal interaction to the folks. Stef had spoken with the group about RSPCA and what the organisation does and that inital visit gave us an opportunity to decide what type of dog would be most suitable in that particular environment - a very calm and unexcitable dog. We knew Spike would fit this brief!

Many residents were curious as to why Spike was yet to be adopted and unfortunately it may be due to the fact that he is partially deaf. This may seem like an overwhelming responsibilty for a new pet owner but Spike is a very relaxed and sweet-natured dog and the main difference in our interactions with him would be replacing words with gestures!

Joan said she fell in love with Spike, aww!





Just chillaxing with the folks



Come meet him in person at our Sydney Shelter!
Click here for more information about Spike



Excel Excelsiors!

Onwards and upwards to all the students at Excelsior Public School in Castle Hill for their fundraising efforts!

Education Officer, Eva, was overwhelmed by the iniative and creativity of the students today when she learnt that they organised several fundraising events to be held over a week, all in the name of supporting RSPCA NSW. And don't think there was any influence from the teachers - everything is being organised, planned and implemented by the students! Eva was given a talking spot during the school assembly and used the opportunity to let students know how the money they raise will help all the animals at RSPCA.

Just some of the fantastic events they've run already include...

• Cake Stall
• Dress-up as an animal Day
• Plush Animal Toy Day
• Face Painting

Which one is real?

But why would they get a dog?!

It's a question many of us ask ourselves at the RSPCA when faced with extreme cases of cruelty. It was great to see students from a school in Campbelltown come to the same conclusion during a visit today.

Education Team members, Claire and Eva, attended the school hoping to enlighten the students about animal cruelty and show them what Inspectors are facing on a daily basis. Claire shared some of the cruelty cases she was personally involved in during her six year stint as an Inspector. The students were quick to make their own judgements about what constitutes animal cruelty and unfortunately sometimes the law just doesn't keep up!

The RSPCA believes that an animal's welfare should be considered in terms of five freedoms:

1. Freedom from hunger and thirst
2. Freedom from discomfort
3. Freedom from pain, injury or disease
4. Freedom to express normal behaviour
5. Freedom from fear and distress

If you would like to explore these freedoms in depth and understand how animal cruelty is realised in society today, please contact the Team! Call 9782 4460 or email education@rspcansw.org.au

So that's what it means!

Applause for the paws!

That's right, a round of applause for all the responsible pet owners who braved the scorching weather yesterday to take their dogs along to the first ever Narellan Town Centre's Paws in the Park.

A fantastic event to encourage like-minded pet owners to treat their canine friend to an outing with a difference and with so many opportunities to make some new friends, who wouldn't want to go?  Education Team members Stef, Matt and Mark attended the event and made sure they took shelter under the RSPCA marquee whilst engaging in some interesting conversations with local residents.

If you were one of the lucky ones who went along, be sure to let us know what your thoughts are of the event and ofcourse how you faired on the 3km or 5km walk!

Hmm, which way to go first?