 Caring for animals in Geelong for over 50 years.
GIVING ALL ANIMALS A SECOND CHANCE
• Lost & Found - GAWS looks after & cares for lost and injured pets, small livestock and wild animals.
• Adoption - cats and dogs of all ages and sizes are available to new homes. Animals are desexed, microchipped and vaccinated as required and given a full vet check prior to being re-homed
• Boarding - going away for a few days or weeks? Leave your pet with trusted professionals in our modern boarding facilities.
• Grooming - clipping and hydrobathing is available.
• Pet Products - have a look through the supplies currently located in the main office. We stock a wide range of pet products including treats, bedding, worm and flea products, grooming products and more.
We aim to have our pet supplies store in the old opp shop store in the coming months - to make your adoption easy
if you need collars, leads & bedding ect you can get them all at GAWS!
Come and visit, meet the animals and chat to the friendly staff! |
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Changes implemented since 1 Nov 2011
The following initiatives have been implemented since 1 November 2011
In 2011 the following initiatives have been implemented.
1 Developing the foster care program for cats, dogs and rabbits.
2 Welcoming rescue groups to take animals from our shelter. To date we have released 14 cats and dogs.
3 Working with local vet clinics to take kittens and adopt them out from their centres. Four clinics have adopted 16 kittens so far.
4 Transferring cats and dogs to other shelters in Melbourne with space, when necessary. At this point 32 cats and dogs have been accommodated.
5 Treating injured and sick animals that would have been euthanised in the past for their conditions.
6 Sending dogs to organisations such as the Police Dog Squad, Seeing Eye Dogs, and to perform scent detection work.
7 Recruiting new highly-qualified staff with welfare backgrounds to complement the established crew.
8 Establishing a system of observation charts to monitor the health and behaviour of all our animals on a daily basis.
9 Implementing an effective system for data collection on incoming animals.
10 Developing new internal protocols for the humane euthanising of animals.
11 Implementing improvements in our OHS procedures.
12 Focussing on our dogs health, for example volunteers now take dogs for a walk and free-run every day, as well as regular grooming and washing.
13 Medicating all incoming cats and dogs with flea and worming treatment on arrival.
14 Bringing in temperament tests for all dogs for re-homing.
15 Encouraging dog trainers to perform obedience training on puppies that come in.
16 Joining forces with K9 lifestyle to start a training centre for dogs with behavioural problems to assist with management of their dogs issues.
17 Offering half-price cat adoptions to promote cat sales.
18 Promoting pets through Pet Rescue.
19 Promoting our work through local media, for example radio station Krock are doing a segment on 'a stray each day' and the Geelong Advertiser is publishing a story from the shelter each week.
20 Working with people with disabilities to share skills.
21 Allowing cats and dogs that are old and may not have long to live to be adopted at good will.
22 Rehabilitating emaciated dogs from RSPCA cases, 5 dogs so far and all re-homed.
23 Holding animals for no charge for people in domestic violence cases.
24 Improving our telecommunications systems so we can receive more than one caller at a time.
25 Approaching Council to build cat condos to prevent disease spread like upper respiratory disease, ring worm, Herpes virus.
26 Ordering 10 free-standing enclosures to enable cats that don't get along to be on display for the chance of being adopted.
27 Implementing new procedures for how animals are cared for in regards to cleaning products and procedures.
28 Treating cats for cat flu.
29 Treating dogs for kennel cough.
30 Housing rabbits in better enclosures and conditions.
31 Bringing in new laundry arrangements so blankets are washed in time for our animals.
32 Working with Council on the transport of feral cats in a less stress manner, by implementing correct carry cages. |
GAWS Enters an Exciting Period of Renewal.
The animal welfare organisation has provided pound and shelter services to the Geelong community for decades. Recent weeks have seen a change to the makeup of the Board, including a replacement of the organisation’s President and Vice Presidents.
The Board has expressed a strong desire to modernise its operations with a goal of improving the service it provides to the community and the animals that come into its care.
The community is demonstrating increasing awareness and concern over the outcomes for impounded animals. The GAWS Board voted unanimously to endorse a set of programs and policies aimed at reducing impound rates, while increasing reclaim and adoption rates. Such aspirations will not materialise without a plan though.
Our objective with the Roadmap is to provide a measurable set of milestones that will:
Significant change takes time, commitment and planning. We are fortunate to have the support and assistance of other organisations who have already implemented the progams and policies we intend to, including:
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Animal Aid, Victoria
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RSPCA ACT
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AWL Qld
GAWS is proud to share our Roadmap with supporters.
Protect the health and welfare of all animals coming into our care
- Employ manager to conduct review of procedures and implement change
- Review Government report into compliance with Code of Practice
- Implement improved disease prevention and containment strategies
- Staff training and education on:
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- health and welfare
- animal behaviour
- matching people to animals
Improve Information Management Systems
- Implement spreadsheet to track every animal admitted
- Introduce animal admission forms
- Implement Sheltermate database
Implement programs & policies of the No Kill Equation
Comprehensive Adoption Programs
- Advertise more of our animals online and in newspapers
- Develop and implement standard practices for assessment of health and temperament in selecting animals for rehousing
- Provide clients with a better adoption experience
- Staff training and education on: customer service skills
- Partner with suitable outlets for offsite kitten adoptions
Working with Rescue Groups
- Appoint Rescue Group Liason Officer
- Establish protocols for working more effectively with Rescue Groups
Proactive Redemptions
- Publish photographs of impounded pets online to assist owners
A Foster Care Program (adhering to Code of Practice)
- Establish foster care pilot program
Medical and Behavioural Rehabilitation
- Establish relationships with reputable training organisations
- Produce guidelines for provision of medical rehabilitation foster care
Working with Volunteers
- Employ volunteer co-ordinator (part time)
High-Volume, Low- Cost Spay / Neuter
- Work with local vet clinics and Council to provide low cost desexing vouchers for low income earners / pensioners.
Pet Retention Efforts
- Discounted microchipping
- Promote and assist with Council Registration
- Pet ID tags
- Promote obedience training
Public Relations / Community Involvement
- Appoint media officer
- Provide regular updates on progress and results to media
A Compassionate Director
- Employ compassionate director to oversee operations
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Geelong Shelter Commits to No Kill Future |
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Monday, 17 October 2011 13:40 |
Acknowledging community concerns, the Board of Geelong’s biggest animal shelter have unanimously endorsed a set of programs and policies aimed at ending the killing of healthy and treatable animals.
Known collectively as the ‘No Kill Equation’, these programs and policies have helped numerous communities across the U.S. achieve save rates of 90 percent or better. Geelong Animal Welfare Society (GAWS) has requested an implementation framework be prepared for their next Board meeting on 27 October.
Some of the programs and policies included in the No Kill Equation are:
- Working with Rescue Groups
- A Foster Care Program
- Comprehensive Adoption Programs
- Medical and Behavioural Rehabilitation
- Proactive Redemptions
- Working with Volunteers
A ‘No Kill’ policy allows for euthanasia of animals suffering from untreatable illness or injury. Similarly, ‘No Kill’ does not call for dangerous dogs to be rehomed.
The Society has recently drawn criticism after hidden camera footage of animals being euthanised was released on the Internet.
The Board is currently working on a management restructure and has confirmed that the vet seen in the video will not be attending the shelter to perform euthanasia in future. |
Opening Hours
Daylight Savings extended hours now in use
Open everyday: 10am-4pm *
Adoptions available till 6PM on Tuesdays & Thursdays
* Closed Christmas Day & Good Friday
325 Portarlington Rd, Moolap, VIC, 3221
(Melway: 231 G4)
Ph (03) 5248 2091 |
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