Hello, here we are again. Last night the quiz night was held and what fun it was! Sue and Greg made it a great night for all and raised over $2,500.00 to support the Animal Protection Society. Many thanks go to Sue and Greg, their daughter Corinne and Sue's mum Eileen. They all do so much to help the Refuge and it is continuing help too. Thanks everyone and bless you.

Thanks must go to the staff at Bunnings as well, the staff who sponsor Tag and Lizzie, two dogs at the refuge, and they sponsor Jenny the cat. The staff donated cat food on Friday, leads, envelopes, pens and lots of other goodies. They too show their support to the Refuge and we thank them so sincerely for all the support they too give.

So many people just recently have been donating cat food to us, as we are very very low on tinned food for all the puss. If you find you can drop any off at Maddington, Livingston, or Kelmscott the cats would be most appreciative, and the vollies say a huge "thank you" on behalf of our furry friends.

We are still in urgent need for Cat and Dog Carers. Carers have a bigger volunteer job than actual volunteers, Carers are in charge of the cats or dogs on "their" day. You would choose a day you would like to take on as being "your" day in charge of the cats or dogs (some days are already taken). The volunteer position asks for you to help with the cleaning, answer the phone, attend to clients, re-home either a dog or cat, feed and check on the care and welfare of the dogs or cats and help the other volunteers making sure they know what to do and how to do it. We do give training, so you will not be thrown in the deep end. If you feel you could help either a half or a full day then please contact Clare Mills at the Refuge.....or if you know of a relative or friend who could help please ask them to give Clare a call.

We are shortly going to be in the process of getting concreting done so things will be a little muddly for a while, but so beneficial when it is finished. We are going to concrete in front of the dog office and a pathway that leads to the dog area. Also the pathway down to the hospital from the cat area will be concreted. We are hoping this will make it a lot easier for wheelchairs to get around the premises of the Animal Protection Society (and our wheelbarrows).

Several dogs have found new families to love them recently which is just great. Decker is doing well after being with APS for a year, Stevie and Lexi have gone to new homes as has Bronson and Bella. Bella's owner is overjoyed with her. Also, Trixie our gorgeous Bully x who had been with us for a while - she went to a new home with Lauren and Lauren's family and so far so good....everything is going well. Trixie is deaf, so Lauren and her family have a task on their hands to train Trixie but apparently Trixie is learning fast and has been a very good girl. Good luck to them all and bless Lauren and her family for giving Trixie that chance she so needed. xx

I would like to share with you a letter that APS received this past week. It is a most happy ever after letter.
"Thank you so much to your refuge and to Shelagh for returning Natasha to me. My fiance and I bought Natasha and her brother Toby as 8 weeks old from Shenton Park Refuge. 8 months ago our 1 year old adored black and white disappeared. She was extremely loved, friendly and affectionate. We called all the local vets to see if she had been handed in lost, and we walked most of our suburb handing out letters and door knocking, but she never came home. Then the other day I received a call from Shelagh saying the APS had my cat. Shelagh had scanned the cat and found a micro-chip number. The micro-chip company had then been contacted and the cat was found to be Natasha. I cried. Thank you so much to the family who cared for her for two weeks after finding her in the forest and thank you so much to the Animal Protection Society for caring for her and for contacting me. I cannot thank you enough. When I brought her home I swear she sknew exactly where she was, even after 8 months. She purred the moment I took her out of the cat box, and even though I had blocked the cat flap up she knew it was there. She slept inbetween the two of us last night and was just so relaxed and content. She knew she was home. I could never have expected such a miracle and I hope you realise what a difference you and your volunteers like Shelagh make to cats lives and to people like me.
Thank you forever.
Alicia and John."

What a great outcome and another reason for micro-chipping. You just never know what the future holds so to keep your pets safe might be a good idea to get that special furry friend micro-chipped. But if you lose your pet let all your local vets know, telephone Refuges. If you lose your dog telephone the Rangers but also go to as many Pounds as you can. Usually there are photos of the dogs outside the Pounds and you can check to see if your beloved furry is there. Physically check - for how you perceive your furry friend might not be how the Rangers or Vets perceive your dog (you say a jack russell, they say a small kelpie x - just kidding but you get the drift). HOWEVER - Dont rely on the telephone!! Go see for yourself.

All for now, keep safe and happy everyone.
God bless from all at the Animal Protection Society, two legged and four legged.