Healthy pets and happy owners, even when times are tough

Not-for-profit organisation Safe Pets Safe Families (SPSF) is running the Community Connections Project, a three-year initiative funded by a $195,000 grant from the Dog and Cat Management Board.

The project aims to increase rates of pet registration and desexing for people who are struggling financially, help pet owners through times of crisis and reduce pressure on animal shelters by removing financial barriers to reuniting pets with their owners.

SPSF works with individuals and families through difficult times, including homelessness, domestic violence, mental health or sickness, and aims to keep them united with their pets.

Through the Community Connections Project, SPSF will:

• Increase access to subsidised desexing, and offer practical and financial assistance with registration, microchipping and returning of impounded pets.
• Run Community Connection Days where the public will be provided greater access to essential pet services and educational resources about responsible pet ownership.
• Employ a dedicated Community Connections Project Officer to liaise between families and stakeholders, and to facilitate the financial assistance available through the program.

SPSF can also arrange no-interest repayment plans for pet surgery.

These services are aimed at increasing the rates of microchipping, desexing and registration, reducing pet surrender rates, boosting the chance of reunification between impounded pets and owners, and preventing unwanted litters.

Two Community Connection Days will be held in June:

• Tuesday, 3 June: 11.30am-2.30pm outside the Morphett Vale Salvation Army, Morphett Vale, 186 Elizabeth Road.
• Thursday, 12 June: 11.30am-2.30pm at the Playford Alive Town Park and Stretton Centre, 307 Peachey Road, Munno Para.

SPSF Community Connection Project Officer Carrie Lilly said times were tough for many people and the companionship and positive benefits of owning a pet were needed more than ever.

“We are honoured to be supported by Dog and Cat Management Board to deliver a program that can help people and pets that ordinarily may face barriers to accessing the resources and services that many of us take for granted,” Ms Lilly said.

Dog and Cat Management Board Chairman David Parkin said the Board was proud to support the Community Connections Project.

“Safe Pets Safe Families does incredible work to help out families who are going through tough times,” Mr Parkin said.

“Times of difficulty can be distressing enough without having to surrender beloved pets, which sometimes are a person’s only form of comfort and companionship.”

For more information about the program - which will run in the Port Adelaide Enfield, Onkaparinga, Playford and Murray Bridge council areas - and upcoming Community Connection Days will be available on the Safe Pets Safe Families Facebook page.