WHAT WE DO

When thinking of Animal Aid, many people imagine furry four-legged animals arriving at the shelter, being cared for by the staff and volunteers.  With an average of 250 dogs and 100 cats and kittens arriving at the shelter each month, you can be forgiven for thinking that was all Animal Aid did, and often these numbers make it feel like it is all we can do.  However, we would not be able to care for so many of these animals if it wasn't for the support of the many members of the community who tirelessly give their time and resources to help in whatever way they can.

Almost sixty years since its inception, Animal Aid is still working with the community to achieve the same goal - to provide animal welfare services to the outer eastern areas of Melbourne.  We provide support to the community in a variety of ways, each with their own importance and relevance and of benefit not only to the animals but also the people who are actively involved in providing the shelter's services.  Here is a selection of these programs.

Work Experience

Animal Aid provides students with the opportunities to learn and grow in a work environment.  Students from local schools and from tertiary institutions such as Box Hill TAFE and Melbourne University participate. Spending time with us provides students with the chance to experience a range of activities which helps them learn and grow.  Many students choose to participate in the animal welfare industry and Animal Aid has benefited by their choice.  Students discover that animal welfare is not just about animal handling.

Community Work Plan:

The wide-ranging and varied tasks undertaken at Animal Aid each day with staff and volunteers carrying all different jobs and roles needed to keep the shelter running. Animal Aid provides the resources and opportunity for the participants in programs to gain experience and skills in different areas.  Once they have completed the course and the program, the participants are in a better position to reach their potential in any future area or role.

Dog Training:

As part of our role in the community, Animal Aid provides education and training resources to pet owners.  Understanding a dog's behaviour can be instrumental in preventing the development of unwanted and hard to manage behaviour traits.  Each week, Animal Aid conducts dog training classes at the K9 Kompany facility in Lilydale, providing the chance for puppy and dog socialisation and training from basic skills to more advanced levels.  The Healesville and District Dog Obedience Club (HADDOC) conduct similar classes each Tuesday evening.  Both classes offer a great chance for members in the community to learn more about their own pet and how they can be better owners and increase enjoyment with their dog.  In addition to providing these services, both clubs raise money for the shelter from class attendance fees.

Special Needs Groups:

Each week, we receive a number of special visitors to the shelter.  These visitors come without fail on Wednesday and Friday, when they spend time with the animals and help clean and prepare the animals' pens. They also enjoy much-needed social interaction with the animals, patting and playing with them.  These visitors are physically or mentally disadvantaged in one way or another and the chance to interact with the animals brings them much joy and satisfaction.  They all look forward to visiting the shelter, are excited when they come and leave Animal Aid happy and full of smiles.  Not only do the animals receive extra love and attention, but also through their interaction with them, so do their visitors.

EDVOS/Care Connect:

In recent months we have developed a Safe Haven program in conjunction with the Eastern Domestic Violence Outreach service, providing emergency boarding for animals belonging to victims of domestic violence. In many instances victims will delay escaping a violent relationship if they have to leave their pets behind. You can contact EDVOS on (03) 9870 5939.

We are developing a similar program with Care Connect, providing emergency boarding for the pets of elderly people who may have to go to hospital and have no one to care for their pets. You can contact Care Connect on (03) 9724 1666.

Programs such as these not only provide an invaluable service for the animals, but also for their owners.