Who we are and what we do:

The Companion Animal Welfare Society Inc. (CAWS Inc.) is a South Australian, not-­for-profit organisation, whose mission is to reduce the rate of euthanasia in animal shelters to zero and improve the welfare of companion animals in our society. Our primary activities are lobbying local and state government and educating the public on getting to zero. We have also contributed to the cost of desexing several stray or partially owned cats, where the new owners could demonstrate genuine financial hardship.

G2Z Elements & Strategies in place:

Community Education and Support Centre

• Information and support for new and experienced owners via our website and Facebook page.

• Early age desexing education for cats. Fostering networks between local government, breeders, vets and shelter/rescue groups to promote cooperation.

• Advocating for the introduction of breeder permits to reduce oversupply and improve the welfare of the breeding animals and their litters.

• Facilitating support structures for foster carers and rescue groups.

• Education of the whole community on how they can help get to zero.

• Education and support networks to care for, and reduce numbers in, unowned cat colonies through our ‘trap-­?neuter-­?return/rehome’ working group.

Recent Achievements in Getting to Zero:

•Developed a productive working relationship with the RSPCA Lonsdale.

•Subsidised the cost of desexing 4 cats for people who were taking in a stray (or partially owned cat) and could not afford the cost of the procedure due to genuine financial hardship.

•Developed 8 factsheets promoting different aspects of responsible pet ownership for our website and distribution at events.