Friends of RSPCA looking for more local carers

THE Whitsunday Friends of the RSPCA is one-year-old after re-forming at the start of last year – but help in the year ahead is their top concern.

The group will be hoping to get their name out and gather more supporters in 2015 as they aim to increase their reach in the region.

The group was given new life by the trio of Maria Plemenuk-Simpson, Kerstin Altmann and Suz Crabtree last year to fill the void left when the previous group folded a few years prior.

“We’re here to be seen and to make ourselves known,” volunteer co-ordinator Suz Crabtree said.

The Whitsunday Friends of the RSPCA is a not-for-profit organisation with all funds going to the care of their animals – these ladies aren’t here for dollars and cents, they’re all about dogs and cats.

Since the start of the year, the caring-collective has gathered 14 cats and kittens to their care and one dog.

Despite this seemingly huge sum of cats, Ms Crabtree said it was finding big dog lovers that was proving to be their downfall.

“Finding fosters or adopters for big dogs are our biggest problem,” she said.

“A lot of people have an issue with the size or stereotype its personality.”

Ms Crabtree said people should cast off these misconceptions and embrace the slobbery, smiling faces behind.

“A big dog can be great for anyone from a family to a single person – they can be your best friend and protector,” she said.

With only about seven permanent volunteers, the Whitsunday Friends of the RSPCA is putting the call out for more carers as they keep seeing their critter collection grow.

The groups’ long-term goal is to create community awareness through the implementation of the RSPCA’s education and support programs with the view to establishing an adoption centre in the area.

Further information is available on their Facebook page or by email at scrabtree@rspca.qld.org.au