The Animal Welfare League is well known for its work in saving and finding new homes for dogs and cats – but has also this month arranged the adoptions of a horse and two ponies.
AWL mostly cares for cats and dogs – but also sometimes offers horses, ponies, goats, rabbits or other animals for adoption.
AWL NSW has just launched its Autumn Appeal to raise $65,000 towards its emergency vet care.
The theme of the appeal is “Animals are not rubbish” – inspired by a litter of kittens saved from a Blacktown dumpster and painstakingly cared for.
One example of the work put into these animals by AWL staff and volunteers is Humphrey the horse, seized in March 2013 by an AWL Inspector in a poor state of health – malnourished and marked from wire bonds.
After being treated and cared for by staff and volunteers at AWL’s West Hoxton and Kemps Creek shelters in western Sydney, he was adopted by Sackville resident Erin Slarke.
At the tender age of 21 the gentle Humphrey has moved onto Erin’s property on the Hawkesbury, with Erin’s partner Ian – and will help at weekends giving rides to kids at a friend’s pony farm.
And Shetland ponies Charlie and Magic Mike, seized by an AWL Inspector last July and given months of special care, have also found a wonderful new life.
They’ve been adopted this month by Braidwood boarding kennel owner Joanne Jordan.
These are among many animals – currently including even a couple of goats – saved, cared for and adopted out by the AWL – some needing months of expert care at the AWL’s vet clinic and shelters in western Sydney and at Ingleside on the Northern Beaches.