A TAMBORINE Mountain resident is using this year’s Scarecrow Festival to shine a light on animal rescue and adoption.
Kelly Austin’s entry, titled Sharing the Love, will be displayed outside Heart of the Soul Bookstore on Gallery Walk from October 23 to 26, with proceeds going to the Helping Paws Adoption Program.
“I’ve adopted two cats from Helping Paws, including Layla, who was rescued from a kill shelter just before she was due to be put down,” Kelly said.
“With all the love and joy Layla has brought me, I cry when I think of how close I came to not having her. Many cats and kittens aren’t so lucky.”
The Helping Paws Adoption Program, founded by veterinarian Dr Belinda Wright, provides a lifeline for animals facing euthanasia, particularly puppies born with cleft palates.
Dr Wright and her team tube-feed the fragile newborns until they are strong enough for surgery and then rehome them into loving families.
“Dr Belinda’s commitment to the welfare of pets is as large as the Pacific Ocean,” Kelly said.
“She worked her way through vet school as a single mum, and her rates are the most affordable around because she believes love comes first.”
Kelly’s goal is to raise $10,000 for the adoption program, with all donations over $2 tax deductible.
Four Gallery Walk businesses are supporting the effort by offering 20 per cent discounts on purchases made during the festival to anyone contributing to the fundraiser.
The money raised will help cover medical and adoption preparation costs including desexing, microchipping, worming, and flea treatments, so that more animals can find their forever homes.
Anyone interested in becoming a foster carer for cats or dogs can contact Dr B’s Vet Clinic for more information.
