Who you are and what you do:

The Sunshine Coast Animal Refuge (Sippy Creek Animal Refuge Society Inc) was established in 1979 to provide temporary refuge and find new homes for abandoned, abused, stray and unwanted cats and dogs. The Refuge is an independent, non-profit, charitable organisation and has a strictly regulated non-euthanasia policy. We also run education programmes for the community on responsible animal ownership. All cats and dogs admitted to the Refuge are Vet checked, vaccinated, wormed, desexed, micro chipped and medically treated if necessary prior to being available for sale to the public. We have comprehensive terms and conditions of sale to ensure the animals are adopted into an appropriately loving home. The Refuge is managed by an unpaid, elected committee, and run by a small staffing compliment and a large dedicated group of volunteers. The Refuge operates from a 1.08 hectare site at Sippy Creek Road, Tanawha (adjacent to the Council Pound) and can house approximately 70 dogs and 50 cats at any given time. We accept cats and dogs from the Sunshine Coast Regional Council Pound after owners cannot be traced, and from private surrenders.

G2Z Elements & Strategies:

• Offer low cost desexing for cats and kittens. We sell vouchers for $49 and have around 22 vets where the vouchers can be redeemed.Over 1400 vouchers have been distributed in the last 4 years.
• We meet every three months with our Local Council, local RSPCA, 4Paws Animal Rescue, Wilvos, Canine Council and Local Member- this group is called the Pet Partnership Meeting.
• Daily health check of all animals
• Treatment of sick and injured shelter animals
• After sale health guarantee for rehomed animals
• Large network of volunteers assisting with pen cleaning, socialization, walking, training, enrichment, photographing animals for promotion
• Size and structure of pens allowing the animals comfort and ability to express normal behaviour
• Enrichment and socialization for each species to reduce stress
• Training and behavioural rehabilitation of animals to increase rehomability
• Open when public are available to come – weekends, after school
• Have positive communication, promotion and marketing of animals
• Have a bright inviting environment
• Conduct pre-adoption interviews to help find the most suitable animal for each owner
• Pre-surrender interviews to educate and offer alternatives to surrender e.g. training courses, advice
• Comprehensive information and support for new and inexperienced owners
• Post adoption support - phone calls, and problem-specific information and training

Recent achievements in Getting 2 Zero:

• Using a lot of promotional ideas to sell the cats/kitten/dogs and puppies 
• In the process of developing a Foster Care Program
• Desexing at 1.1kg plus

Support needed:

• More volunteers
• Funding to offer low cost desexing for dogs

Adoption, reclaim, foster and euthanasia statistics for last two full financial or calendar years: