AS many long term supporters know BAWCS has a Community Pets Support Program.

Our Program’s aim is to addresses a gap in service provision for disadvantaged pet owners in our community to ensure the wellbeing of pets and also to assist with keeping them with their families. There are so many surrenders that rescue just cannot keep up.

Program funding comes from external opportunities, in particular grants.

To clarify, the donations BAWCS receives from YOU are directed to supporting OUR Shelter and Sanctuary animals which we very much appreciate.
Sometimes, when our Program is ‘between’ external funding support, to ensure the continuity of our Program and to continue to help pets, we use other donations we have received ie: when you have been in operation for over 20 years you have a proven track record of helping animals in need and organisations do reach out.
This was the situation with this cat who, earlier this year was bitten by a snake. The owners could not afford the treatment required to save their cat so they reached out to both Pet Medical Crisis and BAWCS Community Pets Support Program, who despite being ‘in between’ actual Program sponsors, used the funds we had put aside to save this cats life.

When you run a Program such as this, you have to have a ‘backup plan’ (funds put aside) to ensure we can continue to save lives in these situations.

This year, BAWCS Mid Year Fundraising Appeal will be dedicated to supporting this ‘back up plan’. It is way too stressful to have to wait on the outcome of funding applications and then be informed you have been ‘unsuccessful’ – we want to be self sufficient with this Program via our supporter base who have donated because they believe in this Program and what it does.

Click here if you’d like to donate. Please use the reference CPSP which stands for Community Pets Support Program. Not familiar with the Program? Learn more here

All donations of $2 and over are tax deductible of course.

This lovely cat made a full recovery by the way, who knows what would have happened if there wasn’t financial support to ensure this.

BAWCS ‘caring with compassion’


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sniffy appeal

BAWCS Shelter permanent ‘special needs’ resident Sniffy underwent surgery at our vet today and this disgusting looking piece of ‘we’re not sure what it is’ came out of her NOSE!

Whilst Sniffy went in for a dental, something odd was noted in one of her nasal cavities and this is what it was.

We have given the go ahead for a sample to be sent off for further investigation and we’re hoping it is not going to be too sinister.

Sniffy is one of our older cats at 18 years of age. She continues to do well with her best bud Langford (also a permanent ‘special needs’ BAWCS Shelter cat).

Whilst our vet has discounted this surgery (which included ear cleaning and the dental did go ahead), with sending off the sample for a biopsy, our vet bill is going to be around $2,000.

If you’d like to donate, you can do so via sponsorship of Sniffy which is ONLY $50 a year.

Sponsorship gives you access to our private FB Group BAWCS Shelter and Sanctuary Sponsors where you’ll be able to get updates on how Sniffy is going.

Don’t want to sponsor but would still like to donate? Click here to make a donation. Please use the reference SNIFFY so we know to allocate your funds to her vet bill.

Sniffy will remain in care at Bendigo Pet Vets – Mobile Veterinary Clinic on pain relief and other appropriate medication until she returns to the Shelter (and best bud Langford ) towards the end of the week.

BAWCS ‘caring with compassion’


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Little legs vet update

It’s that time again and this year we are aiming our Appeal at two very special BAWCS Shelter animals (Little Legs and Duncan) – both examples of the work we do. Once you have read their stories, we do hope you will support our work via our Mid Year fundraiser – and remember, all donations of $2 and over are Tax Deductible.

LITTLE LEGS is one of BAWCS Shelter’s special needs cats. She was only 6 months old, when she arrived in October 2018. Diagnosed with Spina Bifida, (a birth defect where the spinal chord does not form correctly), Little Legs has been living a well managed and happy life with us.

Little Legs recently underwent a veterinary procedure and unfortunately developed complications afterwards. Admitted to emergency care, her life hanging in the balance, we held our breath when advised she was critical. Things were ‘touch and go’ at the start of treatment, but with amazing and intensive veterinary care, Little Legs prognosis is now good with a full recovery in time.

As you can imagine this care comes at quite a cost but BAWCS would not deny care if there was a chance of survival / recovery. We are now facing a vet bill in excess of $13,000 so have decided to dedicate our mid year fundraiser to Little Legs’ bill.

DUNCAN – AS many supporters know, BAWCS Shelter has a ‘return anytime for any reason policy’ when we adopt out. When we take on a dog (or cat) it is a lifetime commitment to us even after they are adopted as circumstances can change for the new home.

This situation has eventuated for new arrival (return) Duncan who was adopted back in 2015. Now a senior, we will be looking for a great new home so he can spend his retirement where he’ll receive the love, care and comfort he deserves.

Duncan has had a vet check where he was brought up to date with vaccination and monthly arthritis injection. Also noted was a perianal mass and whilst not causing any issues, we have decided it would be best removed.

Duncan is booked in for surgery next week and will be ‘good to go’ from then on. Without our Policy, we dread to think what might have happened to Duncan as he’s not what a lot of people would consider a great option for adoption.

Your donation to our Appeal will help cover his veterinary care and the time he is with us which will be for however long it takes to find the right home.

Donations of $2 and over are Tax Deductible.

So we do hope you will continue to support our work via our Mid Year Fundraising Appeal this year, we can’t do it without you!

Click here to view our donation options. Please use reference MID YEAR APPEAL.


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