By Danielle Kutchel
The new ‘kitten’ on the block is the sole winner of a new award for rescue groups.
Dandy Cat Rescue picked up the inaugural 2019 Jetpets Companion Animal Rescue Awards – Outstanding New Rescue Group on Thursday 12 September.
For winning, Dandy Cat Rescue received a $1000 cash prize from Jetpets, $660 in flea treatments from Seresto (Bayer), a $250 Jetpets travel voucher to transport any rescue cats for interstate adoptions, as well as marketing and promotion assistance to help them reach more potential adopters.
It’s big news for the little rescue from Dandenong, which only started in December 2017.
Melissa Mitchell, secretary of the group, says she and a couple of friends decided to set up the rescue after realising that the local pound was overflowing with unwanted cats and kittens.
“It was a crazy idea!” she laughs.
“We had no idea what we were in for; we didn’t know anything about ABNs or getting charity status.
“We just learnt along the way, lots of trial and lots and lots of error.”
Since then, the rescue has taken in over 120 abandoned, unwanted and dumped cats and kittens and provided all necessary vet care and socialisation before finding permanent homes for them.
They now have 12 foster carers on the books, who look after the cats until they find their ‘furever’ homes.
While it can be an emotional rollercoaster, Ms Mitchell says the best part of foster caring is watching the friendly felines go to their new homes.
“Seeing the excitement on faces of families or someone who has really wanted to adopt for some time and has finally found the cat or kitten that they’ve fallen in love with, it’s the most beautiful thing,” she says.
Anyone interested in becoming a foster carer for Dandy Cat Rescue can email dandycatrescue@yahoo.com.
