Puppies wait their turn for a new owner. Photo: Fairfax
Tamworth’s Jean Medlock, who up until recently ran a refuge for cats and dogs, writes to explain a few things about her animal shelter and offers to help anyone wishing to start up another animal re-homing facility.
IN reply to your article in The Northern Daily Leader on August 6, I just want to clear up a few misconceptions in the story to re-establish a cat and dog refuge in Tamworth, which is a great idea.
In your article it stated that my refuge was a community-run facility – this is not true. I ran the refuge completely on my own at my own expense, which was considerable ($200 per week on food alone).
I always managed my own re-homing. I did receive donations, which were very gratefully received and there were some very kind
people out there who made a contribution to the refuge on a regular basis.
I had to fight the council for weeks to get a second wheelie bin and thanks to Russell Webb I got one. I also had to fight the council for the right to rescue from the pound, thanks to Phil Betts, Ray Tait and Russell Webb I eventually got permission in my own right.
As for the army of volunteers – that consisted of the lovely Kirra, even though she had a young baby in tow, she did not hesitate to pick up or deliver a dog or cat that needed transport to the vets; a young women who helped on Saturday mornings for a few hours brushing and walking the dogs; plus a lovely gentleman who mowed the shelter lawn when needed.
Even though I had a very sick son in hospital 18 months ago I found it virtually impossible to leave the shelter as 30-40 dogs and 30-odd cats is very daunting for the most well-meaning soul. I did manage 24 hours to fly to Sydney and see him.
When I did retire only one month ago. I actually have had weekends off for the first time in seven years. I took with me a very pregnant foxi-x which promptly had five puppies.
Also I have five shelter cats plus two kittens who are looking for homes.
The adult cats can live their lives out with me in a cat park, which
I am currently building. If anyone is interested in starting a refuge they can contact me and I can give you help or advise in any way I can. I can be contacted through any of