New lease on life for ‘squishies’

Baguette. Pictures: SUPPLIED

A South East animal rescue aimed to help flat-faced animals breathe, be active and eat comfortably is calling for local support to help four of its brachycephalic dogs.

Named Didi, Croissant, Carlos and Baguette, the dogs suffer from brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) as a consequence of their shortened noses and skulls.

Squishies Flat Faced Animal Rescue volunteer co-ordinator Chelsea Watts said caring for siblings Baguette and Croissant before receiving surgery for BOAS had cost more than $17,000 since arriving three months ago, with an additional $12,000 needed for all four of the dogs.

“We are a small but passionate group of volunteers dedicated to saving flat-faced animals who often come to us in horrendous condition and requiring significant medical care,” she said.

“We are 100 per cent volunteer run with many of our volunteers working full-time in addition to the work they do with Squishies.”

The organisation is also raising funds via a GoFundMe campaign, which has raised $1395 towards its $12,000 goal at the time of publication.

Ms Watts said they are encouraging any locals to join the Adventure All Stars cast to raise funds for Squishies.

“We’re looking for participants for cast members for Adventure All Stars that will not only raise much-needed funds for our organisation but will also offer the participants an unforgettable adventure,” she said.

“They will embark on a week-long journey to a secret location, all in the name of a good cause.

“We believe that this TV show will not only be entertaining but will also allow us to fundraise to ensure that we are able to offer the animals in our care all they need to live long, happy and healthy lives in their new homes.”

Casting is now open for season five of Australia’s television travel series Adventure All Stars which is currently available in Australia via 7PLUS, Fetch and Samsung TV.

Adventure All Stars features an all-new line-up of authentic cast members in each episode.

Prior to the commencement of filming, cast members will be raising funds for Squishies Flat Faced Animal Rescue and their reward is the trip-of-a-lifetime with Adventure All Stars.

An Australia-wide search is now underway for people aged between 18 and 80 to star in a life-changing six-day adventure to a secret destination for a week of fun and filming.

The most recent season of Adventure All Stars generated close to $1.2 million for Australian charities – making the show one of the biggest contributors to philanthropy of any TV series in the world.

For more information, visit www.charitytvglobal.com/register-now or www.gofundme.com/f/help-squishies-change-our-lives