Shar Pei Rescue Inc. is a Not For Profit association registered in Victoria (registration number A0053985U) and dedicated to saving the lives of abandoned and neglected Shar Pei dogs. Perhaps better known as the “Rolly” dog made famous in the Purex toilet paper commercial, the Chinese Shar Pei is recognised as one of the world’s oldest dog breeds however despite its existence dating back 2000 years, the Shar Pei has been on the brink of extinction. In 1978, this gorgeous animal was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s rarest dog. In the early 80’s the breed made its way to Australia and became an instant hit after featuring in the Purex television commercial. This resulted in an exceptionally large demand for adorable “Rolly” puppies. Sadly however, once the puppy cuteness disappears many Shar Pei are abandoned or surrendered to pounds and shelters where they inevitably face euthanasia. Shar Pei grow into strong, dominant adults, and like all dominant breeds of dogs, they require training and socialisation. Relegated to the back yard, ignored or mistreated, Shar Pei can become withdrawn and aggressive. To add to these problems, the breed is susceptible to entropian (a genetic condition requiring expensive eye lift surgery to prevent blindness) and numerous skin conditions. In addition, Shar Pei can suffer from Shar Pei Fevour which many vets are ill-equipped to correctly diagnose and remedy. Sadly, because of these health issues, Shar Pei rarely make it out of pounds alive. It's been said that you've never truly owned a pet until you've owned a Shar Pei as they each have their own unique personalities. The Shar Pei have one of the richest histories of any dog breed and make a great family pet for experienced dog owners. With our help these great dogs get a second chance. Through a community network of volunteers we save as many of these loveable dogs as we can. We provide the appropriate medical care, training and socialisation programs required to rehabilitate and re-home. We also offer ongoing advice and education programs for responsible pet ownership. We do not receive any government funding; therefore, we rely on donations from the community to help pay for food, vet bills and pound release fees. Corrective eye surgery, vaccination, de-sexing, micro-chipping, feeding and training are expensive and we do not recoup these costs when the dogs finally reach their forever homes. Why? Our number one priority is ensuring the breed is loved by many generations to come. An ever-growing community of families touched by Shar Pei Rescue Inc. reinforces our belief that these dogs deserve a second chance. Through education, better breeding practices and a support community for owners and prospective owners, many of these fatal scenarios can be avoided. It was lovely to be recognised for the work we do by winning the 2011 Master Rescuer of the Year award; however, our ambition is to make such a difference that one day the Shar Pei breed will no longer need our protection. It’s been said that bad things happen when good people do nothing and it takes a village to raise a child. Although we’d like to, we know that we can’t save every single animal; but with your help we can make an enormous difference. We can change the lives of the dogs we save and the families that open their arms to a new member of the household. With over 250,000 unwanted dogs and cats put-down in pounds and shelters every year in Australia we need to act now. Through a combined effort we can save many lives. Please help us in any way you can. You can make a tax deductible donation; put your skills to work as a volunteer; or get involved in our community foster care program.
The Ellen Gifford Cat Shelter is a cageless, no-kill facility, founded in 1884 and sponsored by Ellen M. Gifford. Originally a shelter for all animals, it eventually became a shelter only for cats. The shelter is a pioneer in creating an environment that does not confine cats small, movement-restricting cages. The main shelter, a large building of mostly open space, allows cats to freely roam in an interactive setting, letting them play, exercise and socialize. Adult cats surrendered to the shelter make a gradual adjustment to community life by starting off in a large open-air pen where they can see the other cats (and be seen) and become comfortable with their new surroundings. Cats are then integrated into the community, supervised by shelter staff and volunteers. This ensures that interactions with the other cats are safe and positive experiences. A second building, consisting of four large rooms, houses litters of kittens and any ill or special needs cats. All areas of the shelter are furnished with snuggly bedding, chairs, rugs, toys, and condos. A multitude of windows provides hours of bird watching and sunny napping opportunities.
R.A.C.I. is a not-for-profit incorporated association run by volunteers. Our purpose is to: 1. Care for the health and wellbeing of stray, abandoned and surrendered cats through offering a network of foster-carers. 2. Provide an adoption/placement network. 3. Inform potential adoption families about responsible pet ownership. 4. Assist in the education of the general public on the importance of de-sexing cats and kittens. All cats and kittens re-homed through R.A.C.I. are Vet checked, de-sexed, vaccinated, micro-chipped and wormed. The funds we receive as donations and adoption proceeds go towards veterinary fees, cat food and accessories for the cats and kittens we foster.