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It’s April, so it’s time to celebrate the fact that it’s ‘Adopt A Greyhound’ Month!

Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds (CPG) volunteer Sue Skelsey delved for us into the wonderful world of Greyhound cartoonist Rich Skipworth.

Have you heard of the Derp, Bed Fail or the Teef Taptastic?

These are examples of the vocabulary created by British cartoonist Richard Skipworth to describe the quirky and lovable nature of Greyhounds. 


The Teef Taptastic is when Greyhounds ‘chatter’ their teeth - an expression of happiness.

Everyone who adopts Greyhounds has had the pleasure and joy of observing many of Skipworth’s wonderful tropes about these dogs.

Greyhounds emerging from their time in the racing industry often bear no resemblance to companion Greyhounds who have been living with caring families as pets.

Racing Greyhounds can be fearful, neglected and stressed when they first encounter the wider world, because they haven’t been socialised properly as pups. Although, in time, they usually blossom into affectionate, joyful creatures whose whimsical antics are magical.

The unsung heroes who assist in this transformation are members of the public who volunteer as foster carers. Almost all of them know about British cartoonist Richard Skipworth and love his work.

Rich, as he prefers to be called, has produced not only an abundance of cartoons portraying Greyhound moods and antics, but he has also compiled his houndie terms in the Greyhound Glossaries (Volume 1 & 2).

Rich said that he had no idea what to expect when he first took a Greyhound home.

“Initially, like a lot of people unused to the breed, I thought that a Greyhound would be a bit like a thoroughbred racehorse – a bit nervy, highly strung and would need a lot of exercise,” he said.
Rich soon discovered the uniqueness of the breed. “A few weeks into adopting my first hound I realised that pretty much all my preconceptions were totally wrong. I was sharing my home with a dog unlike any other sort I had owned,” said Rich.

“Gracie [Rich’s first Greyhound] was quiet, relaxed, affectionate, definitely didn’t need a lot of exercise and seemed to exude a sort of aura of calm beauty combined with a gentle quirkiness.”

It’s little known that Rich’s popularity as a Greyhound cartoonist has an Australian connection. It began in late 2015 when he discovered the Facebook page “Fans of Alice in Wooferland” (now 
Fans of Alice in Wooferland and Xanthie”) which was created by Sydney resident, Suzanne Hopping.

In his first Greyhound Glossary, Rich said this Facebook page was a series of posts supposedly written by a Greyhound called Alice. The page gave a daily account of life as seen from Alice’s point of view.

“I drew some cartoons for Alice’s page and the response from her followers was immediate and quite amazing. Everyone liked my Greyhound cartoons, and they asked for more,” he said.

The requests for cartoons kept coming, indicating Rich had tapped into the unique qualities of Greyhounds that owners were longing to share.

He also developed a language to describe the antics portrayed in his cartoons. This too was applauded by owners who felt for the first time they had a language that would enable them to communicate with each other about the uniqueness of their hounds.

In his first Greyhound Glossary, Rich explains how Greyhounds “are lovely creatures to draw. All smooth, flowing curves and aerodynamic shapes. And of course, they make great cartoons with their long pointy noses, skinny legs and expressive features, especially their amazing multi-positionable ears.”

Rich’s depictions of Greyhounds resonate with owners and foster carers of pet Greyhounds all around the world, if sales of his books and merchandise are any indication.

Eugene Noodles demonstrating
'Perching Derriere'
Sophie, from Sydney, who adopted an ex-racing Greyhound, said, “Richard’s illustrations and books should come as standard with a new hound, along with the collar and lead. Best owner’s manual I’ve seen.”

Kristy, also from Sydney, speaks for foster carers like herself when she said: “Rich Skipworth’s cartoons reinforce the value of what I do as a foster carer, by revealing the quirky and endearing personality traits of Greyhounds who are given security and love. 
His insight into Greyhounds is not what people usually expect from what they hear in the media or from the general gossip of people who aren’t familiar with the breed.”

Rich maintains that he never set out to convey any special message about Greyhounds. He was just expressing the quirky Greyhound nature that he was observing in his fourth Greyhound, aptly named Magic.

“Magic is just funny and amusing to live with and I drew cartoons of him because he is such a good subject,” he said.

It would be inaccurate to claim that Greyhound antics depicted by Rich are exclusive to the breed, although some of them are. So what does Rich’s artwork say about Greyhounds? There are more than 100 cartoons in his two Glossaries, and at least five overlapping themes emerge.

One theme that appears in the majority of his cartoons is quirkiness.

Greyhound Dizzy demonstrating a typical 'Bed Fail'!





No other breed of dog does Bed Fail/Furniture Fail quite as well or as frequently as Greyhounds. Cameras and phones of Greyhound owners overflow with examples of this “baffling inability of a hound to occupy a bed in the correct manner”.


The Perching Derriere is another quirky talent characterised by hounds plonking just their backsides onto chairs because they consider it “too much effort to actually climb all the way up” to a comfortable position on the furniture.

Jordy demonstrating the 'Derp' - Hunter demonstrating 'Ogreygami'

Yet another behaviour identified by Rich, is the Derp which is a facial expression that implies “complete and utter spaced-out empty-headed weirdness. Usually accompanied by a lolling tongue”.

There is also Ogreygami described as “the ancient art of Greyhound folding” in order to fit into a tight space. Greyhounds have been known to use this strategy to steal the beds of cats or small dogs with whom they share their homes.

Skipworth's version of 'Hound of the Blankeyvilles' vs Alice's version - Photo: Suzanne Hopping

One of Rich’s personal favourites is The Hound of the Blankyvilles, which describes the appearance of “the great blanket-shrouded hound” as it moves around the house from bed to bed. The list goes on.

A second theme evident in Rich’s cartoons is the happiness expressed by Greyhounds.

Few people can resist a rush of joy themselves, at the sight of a greyhound doing a Zoomie which Rich defines as “a high speed, lunatic, careless, happy, oblivious-to-everything and completely unstoppable run”. 

Life Imitating Art - Skipworth's version of 'Zoomie' versus Teddy's version



A key feature of the Zoomie is that it is spontaneous and joyful. It should not be confused with racing where running is forced or contrived by humans.

Roaching, which describes “the resting position of a Greyhound that resembles a (probably dead) cockroach” is another expression of happiness.

Xanthie demonstrating 'Roaching' - Photo: Suzanne Hopping



A third theme is the laziness of Greyhounds. “Snoozing seems to be their default state,” said Rich.

Jenga demonstrating 'Greyluctance'






Greyluctance, or “the disinclination of a Greyhound to live up to its reputation as the fastest breed of hound on the planet” is an example of this. 

As is the Rubbernose Doze, another of Rich’s personal favourite cartoons, that gives the impression Greyhounds can’t even be bothered to ensure their noses are comfortably positioned before falling asleep.
Skipworth's version of 'Rubbernozedoze' vs Greta's version

A fourth theme, the desire of Greyhounds to be close to humans, is a special characteristic of the breed. Rich said that one of the surprises he observed with his first Greyhound, Gracie, is that “she would love to be just near you, a great companion.”

Jordy demonstrating
'Velcro Hound'
One cartoon that illustrates the desire of Greyhounds to be physically close to humans is Velcro Hound. Foster carers and adopters will often use this term to describe the behaviour of greyhounds during the early stages of their domestic life when they won’t let their rescuers out of their sight.

Another aspect of their desire to be close to humans, is what Rich describes as “a gentle kind of curiosity. They like to closely observe everything you do in a way that suggests they are just mildly amused by human behaviour. Gracie used to be fascinated by the fact that I put socks on every day. She had to stand very close to me and watch the whole process. Every day, like she was supervising,” said Rich.

Greypervising is the name he gives to this behaviour. One of Rich’s personal favourite cartoons is The Garage Supervisor, which illustrates this talent. 

Skipworth's cartoon version of 'Greypervising' vs Teddy's version



It is quite a nostalgic cartoon for Rich. “It’s drawn from my memories of when I was a kid with my Dad working on our beautiful Austin 10 in our garage back in the early 60s,” he said.

Xanthie demonstrating 'Greypnosis'
Photo: Suzanne Hopping

Some Greyhounds are able to take advantage of their special bond with humans by using Greypnosis, which is a form of greyhound hypnosis, used to procure whatever it is that they want.

Finally, Rich wrote about Greyhounds possessing “a kind of zen-like calm (except for the brief periods of insane high speed running).” This is a quality that brings peace and comfort to humans. It may be one reason that Greyhounds have been introduced to nursing homes.


The Zen of Grey is the only cartoon that specifically illustrates this quality, despite the fact it tends to be a dominant Greyhound personality trait.

Skipworth's cartoon version of the 'Zen of Grey' vs Greyhound Greta's version



Affection for Greyhounds is evident in all Rich’s cartoons: affection that was extended to Alice in Wooferland. Rich showed great compassion for owner Suzanne when Alice’s health declined.

“When Alice was unwell, she received her very own personally illustrated get well cards from ‘Magic’ along with other unique drawings,” Suzanne said.

Rich created two logos to honour Alice. The first, “Alice’s Army” makes reference to a time, several years ago, when many fans of Alice took up a campaign to expose and prevent the plagiarism of Rich’s artworks. 

The other logo “Alice in Wooferland: Loved Around the World” was a tribute to Alice after her death.

Suzanne said, “Richard kindly contributed proceeds from sales of both these logo products, to Greyhound rescue groups of my choice. What he has done for the plight of the Greyhound is awe-inspiring and his talent, generosity, humour and kindness is immeasurable.”

In his first Greyhound Glossary, Rich wrote that “Greyhounds seem to get under your skin. We [he and his wife] wouldn’t be without one now … We seem to have a Greyhound shaped place in our hearts.”

His cartoons certainly reflect these sentiments.

By contrast, in a world where there is an abundance of tragedy, it seems senseless and immoral to permit an industry like Greyhound racing, which stifles the joyful, quirky personalities of these otherwise life-affirming companion animals. Instead, the racing industry makes their lives miserable.

CPG’s research shows that the overbreeding of Greyhounds has led to hundreds of these dogs being unable to find a loving home. The national rate of Greyhound breeding continues to be about six times the racing industry’s capacity to rehome via its state-based rehoming arms (the GAPs - Greyhounds as Pets).

Instead, community rehoming by volunteer groups leads the way in NSW, Victoria and Tasmania. While the effort by volunteer-run charities is excellent, many of them are now under serious strain and some are at crisis point. They are in desperate need of more adopters, as well as foster carers, who can assist these hounds with their transition to being happy, goofy, loving pets.

Nevertheless, more and more people are adopting greyhounds. Many people say that once you do, you become ‘addicted’ to their quirky personalities. Rich’s cartoons are testimony to this fact. They make a compelling case for Greyhounds to only ever be kept as treasured companions.

So thank you Rich Skipworth, for shining a light on the magic of Greyhounds.

written by Sue Skelsey, CPG, March 2024 for Australian Dog Lover (all rights reserved).


About Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds

CPG is a dedicated group of people across Australia who work together to inform the public about the cruelties of Greyhound racing. 
Learn more by following their channels on: FacebookWebsiteInstagrammedia coverage.


IKEA is launching UTSÃ…DD, a collection for dogs and cats from April 2024

The IKEA lively pet collection was developed based on research on the daily life, behaviours and preferences of dogs and cats at home. The collection focuses on four different activities: eat, sleep, play and hide

Made with products and materials that are affordable, easy to clean, resistant to everyday use and blend seamlessly into any home, UTSÃ…DD will be available in store and online, across Australia this April 2024.

Cats and dogs are an integral part of the life of many Australians. More and more Aussie families choose to welcome four-legged, furry members and, like their human relatives, they have needs to be met. 

IKEA set out to develop a playful collection that considered the needs and wants of cats and dogs and their families, all while prioritising safety. After a two-year journey and obtaining sign-off from a panel of cats and dogs, UTSÃ…DD is finally ready to make its debut across many Australian homes.


“At IKEA, we believe that pets are family. Our goal was to develop a collection of products that our cats and dogs love and that their human parents can feel good about and truly enjoy having as part of their home,” says Julia Rosenberg, Product Design Developer at IKEA of Sweden AB.

UTSÃ…DD was developed around the four most common activities that cats and dogs carry out around the home – eat, sleep, play and hide. 

The collection is designed to make these activities enjoyable and easy to manage for both pets and humans. 

  • Colourful food bowls help minimise messes during mealtime. The bowls are ceramic and, therefore, heavier, and less likely to move around. They also come in multiple sizes and are dishwasher- and refrigerator-safe.
  • A soft blanket and cushy beds help provide comfort and reduce anxiety during snooze time while blending seamlessly into the home. They come in different options, materials and sizes, and are water-repellent and machine-washable.

  • Bone-shaped toys invite to hours of fetching, chewing, and searching for treats. The toys, which are made from natural rubber and fabric, were carefully designed to be durable and robust, yet gentle on teeth and gums.
  • Rattan-made house and dog beds makes hiding and sleeping deliciously cosy for cats and dogs, and a style-approved addition to any space. 
UTSÃ…DD also includes an updated version of the LURVIG range that blends nicely into the KALLAX shelving unit.


Prioritising safety

Pet safety was considered and prioritised at all stages of the development of UTSÃ…DD, and from as many aspects as possible.

“We formulated protocols and risk assessments based on our research, evaluations of previous pet collections, and input from our partner veterinarians and pet product experts. Our protocols include periodic chemical, mechanical and physical safety tests on all UTSÃ…DD products,” says Julia Rosenberg.

Additionally, all UTSÃ…DD products carry a label with symbols that aim to provide clear and user-friendly safety messages. These messages state, for example, that the owner should always be present when the pet is using the product, or that a product should be thrown away if it breaks. “We urge customers to read and become familiar with the safety label on UTSÃ…DD products,” concludes Julia Rosenberg.

The UTSÃ…DD collection will be available across Australia in store and online starting in April 2024.

For more information or to view the entire UTSÃ…DD range, you can visit the IKEA website.

MEDIA RELEASE, March 2024


What is Hoopers and how can it help your dog's behaviour?

Hoopers is a low impact agility dog sport with no high-power jumping, no jarring sharp turns, and no large pieces of equipment to navigate.

It is about handler-dog connection, communication and confidence. Three traits everyone wants with their dog all developed in one fun activity.

Canine Hoopers World brought Hoopers to Perth, WA, Australia in 2019.  Although it originated in the USA, Hoopers had been sweeping the UK and Europe for almost 10 years. 

Hoopers is fun, we can’t say that enough! It is ideal for all aged dogs and pet parents. 





Some dogs like to take off like a rocket and run (get your gym shoes ready and be prepared to sprint), some dogs like to canter (taking things in their stride and enjoying the moment) and some dogs want you to get out of their way (communication from the side line is all they need from you). Which team will you be?

What do you do in Hoopers?

You and your dog learn a personalised way of communicating to manoeuvre around a course at your dog’s pace. It has all the fun and skillset of agility style games. Hoopers is focused on the ability of dog and handler to work off leash together. You need to be in sync with your dog, it’s a team sport.

Hoopers equipment is low cost, easy to DIY and set up, which sets it apart from agility. Hoopers equipment doesn’t take up much space and can be stored in a cupboard, garage or shed.

There are three pieces of equipment you use to make up a Hoopers course:

  • the Hoops, which dogs run under,
  • Barrels, which dogs go around,
  • and large straight Tunnels for dogs to run through.

Your dog learns to run through a sequence of hoops, around barrels to adjust their direction and through tunnels to complete courses. 

It sounds deceivingly simple so how much fun can it be?

Hoopers is generally taught with two different styles.

One where you, the handler, gets a head start and your dog catches up, like in agility, and you do your best to lead whilst running alongside your dog on the course. 

Or there is distance handling; where the handler’s physical movement is minimal and with clear communication and strong foundation work, your dog navigates through the course with calm verbal and visual directions.





Once the foundation skills are under your belt (e.g. see a hoop, run through it, see a barrel, navigate around it), watch as you both thrive in an engaging activity and see how movement alone can be such a positive motivator.

Which style should you choose?

Whichever way works best for the individual partnership, the aim is to navigate around and through equipment fluidly as a dog-handler team.

Some dogs find the pressure of you running that close too overbearing and don’t like it. Other dogs need you to stay close to them whilst guiding them throughout the course. Work with the style that suits both participants for the best success.

How do dogs take part in Hoopers?


Begin by finding a qualified instructor through Canine Hoopers World instructors as they have undergone training with Hoopers experts.

Most instructors run classes in pairs or one-on-one to get you succeeding quickly with a personalised training approach.

What is the benefits of Hoopers?

For the dogs: confidence, resilience, connection, body awareness, engagement, the significance is continual, and the growth is inspiring!

The fact that dogs are off leash, means your dog gets to make their own choices building on independence. We add in the mental challenge of understanding how to manoeuvre each piece of equipment and see the certainty and enjoyment that comes when you celebrate with them for mastering a course successfully as a united team.

For over excited dogs who have minimal perception of their personal space (or yours), Hoopers helps with proprioception, which means it helps dogs to be aware of where they’re placing their feet and bodies.

For dogs who are overthinkers, easily distracted, or disconnect if feeling uncertain or pressured, the reassurance from only having three types of equipment gives them confidence to know what to do.

There are also multiple benefits for you. A relationship with your dog at a distance increases trust, leading to increased amazement at how brilliant your dog is whilst interacting with a group of like-minded dog enthusiasts and remember “it’s heaps of fun!”

What kind of dog is ideal for Hoopers?

Hoopers is for dogs of all ages (6+ months), all breeds, all sizes and pretty much most temperaments.

It’s perfect for high-energy dogs as it channels their focus; and it’s a great energy burner too, both physically and mentally.

Because Hoopers is a ground-level course, gentle senior dogs can join in as it puts less strain on their joints, making it appropriate for teenage dogs, retired agility dogs and younger dogs. Hoopers courses are designed to be fluid and flowing so they don’t involve tight turns; massively reducing the impact and likelihood of injury for your dog.

We saw the potential for Hoopers to help dogs who are anxious, or show big emotions often described as ‘reactive’. Hoopers provides them a safe space to engage with their guardians in a stress-free environment.

We love teaching anxious, nervous, or reactive dogs who can’t participate in group classes. Often their owners tell us that they’ve always wanted to participate in a fun sport with their dogs and they’ve felt left out.

What is it about Hoopers that dogs enjoy?

We can only guess why dogs enjoy playing Hoopers. There are plenty of options to consider.

Is it the independence of being off leash?

Do they love the fact that they can accelerate, find the track, stay on course, zoom through tunnels, make turns around barrels… is that part of it? Or is just about running?

Is it that you are having fun with them? Learning something new together? Learning a new language? Is it your favourite time for just you and your dog?

Do they love the joyful feedback? Do they love that you don’t get upset when mistakes happen. You love them for trying, being involved and for tolerating your side of the learning journey. 

The development of Hoopers goes both ways… you grow together, you start to see and listen to each other, you reflect and work as a team in motion.

Can you practice Hoopers at home?

Once you’ve learned the foundations you can absolutely practice the skills at home. We encourage you to do so and add fun tricks into your daily walks. You strengthen your skills at home, from obedience skills such as ‘wait’, sending your dog around objects, right down to working on your warm-up routine to ensure that you and your dog stay in Hoopers shape.

Can you run a course at home? 




That can be tricky. We perceive for many city dwellers we are often restricted with space limitations. However, if you have a large grassy secure space, go for it! Due to such common limitations, we think it is paramount to join a Hoopers training community and get amongst it!

What made us decide to be a Hoopers instructor in a country that hadn’t heard of it?

We had been watching Hoopers take the UK by storm. When we heard that Canine Hoopers World was coming to Australia in early 2019, We packed our bags, flew to Perth and completed the Canine Hoopers World Level One instructors course and recently again in late 2023 to become accredited Level Two instructors.

After our initial experience with Hoopers, we immediately realised what Hoopers could offer our urban dogs; we each purchased a set of Hoops that weekend, bought extra luggage space on the plane, and never looked back.

We are delighted that we offer an ongoing sense of support and continual development for our community beyond life skills courses, where our clients can grow. This remains priceless.

Success in Hoopers shows its weight in gold when we see understanding and improved teamwork. Our dogs are listening at speed, in the moment, potentially in a challenging situation… and yet trusting the guidance, making great decisions. That is worth more than words can describe.

What kind of comments do we regularly hear in class?


“My dog loves Hoopers so much! I think it’s the highlight of their week!”

“I love this. Thank you for providing this space for us”.

“That was my fault, not my dogs
.

“Can I run through that course again? I think I know where I went wrong”.

“When is the next Hoopers course?


You can see that people love working with their dog and they get genuinely excited when they see what their dogs are capable of.” - Fellow trainer watching.

Where can people find out more?


Start your Hoopers journey at the Canine Hoopers World website: www.caninehoopersworld.com and follow their Facebook page: Canine Hoopers World.

Find out more about Hoopers in Australia with:

Louise Newman at letsgofido.com.au/hoopers

Shelley Aukett at pawsandthink.com.au/training-classes/hoopers  

About our writers

Shelley Aukett
is both Director and Dog Trainer at Paws And Think in Sydney's Inner West, a dog training business founded on positive reinforcement with positive outcomes.

In her career she's also worked as an animal behaviour technician and as a Veterinary Specialist (Diagnostic Imaging) for 16 years before returning to her passion: animal behaviour!

She's a member of PPGA (Pet Professional Guild Australia), DI (Delta Institute) and APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers). Her qualifications include Delta Institute Certificate IV in Companion Animal Services, Karen Pryor Academy as a Professional Dog Trainer, Certificate of Excellence with Behavior+Works in Living and Learning with Animals (Friedman), Fear Free Certified Professional, Canine Hoopers World trainer, and certifications through the Master Course in Aggression in Dogs (Shikashio) and L.E.G.S - Applied Ethology Family Dog Mediation Group (Brophy).

Louise Newman
is the Owner and Dog Trainer at Let's Go Fido. She believes that training goes beyond puppyhood – that it is a way of life. It should be fun, relevant and most importantly add to the bond between you and your dog. With this in mind, Let's Go Fido was created in 2011 running a variety of training classes in Sydney's Lower North Shore and Balmain/ Hunters Hill area.

Louise’s professional qualifications include Karen Pryor Academy Certified Professional Trainer, Delta Cert IV Companion Animal Services, Susan Friedman Functional analysis of behaviour change, Assessor for GreenHound and MindDog, Professional member of KPA, PPGA APDT Aggressive Dog and 
BSC Hons/ Post Grad in another life too!

Related Topics:




The Petstock Foundation teams up with Laura Byrne to celebrate 10 years of National Pet Adoption Month

This March, 2024, the Petstock Foundation is celebrating a milestone 10 years of National Pet Adoption Month, an initiative that helps find loving homes for pets in need of adoption. And Ambassador Laura Byrne is encouraging Australian’s to adopt, not shop in March.

As an adopted dog owner, and advocate for the Petstock Foundation, Laura Byrne knows all too well the positive impact adopted pets can bring. 

Laura says, “Buster came into my life when I was having a tough time and had recently gone through a break-up. I befriended my neighbour, who was fostering Buster, and I quickly fell in love with him. 


After a few months of taking him for walks and getting to know him, I moved into a new pet friendly apartment and officially adopted him. Not only did I now have a loving pet in my life, but also a new close friend in my neighbour – Buster was the wonderful glue that brought people together.”

Laura continues, “There is a misconception that rescue animals are going to be harder to look after; It’s this idea that you ‘don’t know what you’re going to get’. But Buster is the sweetest, most gentle angel ever. He went through some big, scary stuff when he was a puppy, and lost a leg, but it has not adversely affected him at all in terms of his temperament and personality. 




I am proud to partner with the Petstock Foundation for National Pet Adoption Month in March. There are so many incredible animals out there who are desperate for a loving home and I strongly believe that everyone should adopt. Adoption is an opportunity to not only give a pet in need a new life, but also bring a huge amount of joy into yours,” Laura finished.

Over the past 10 years, the Petstock Foundation’s National Pet Adoption Month has helped find loving homes for 40,000 rescue pets across Australia and New Zealand, but there are still more animals in need of homes. 

There are currently over 8,000 pets at shelters, rescue groups, pounds and vets across Australia awaiting adoption [1], and with the rising costs of everyday expenses, sadly it is predicted that this number will continue to rise. With a mission to improve the lives of people through the strong bond we experience with our pets, the Petstock Foundation is encouraging people to adopt or foster a pet this National Pet Adoption Month (NPAM), to open your heart to a pet in need, and experience the positive impact a pet can bring to your life.

Research [2] indicates that 36% of Australian adults have reported feeling lonely, showing we have a need for more connection and companionship in our communities. Additionally, research [3] has shown universally, 97% of people agree that having a pet positively influences one’s life, and improves the mental health of the owner and those around them (95% agree). Pets are seen to offer emotional support (81%), companionship (80%), and are seen as family (76%). So, adopting a pet can not only give a pet in need a loving home, it can also improve our mental health by decreasing feelings of loneliness and social isolation.

These findings are supported by studies that show companion animals have been found to bring substantial health benefits to people both physically and mentally [4], and an association between all types of pet ownership and lower experiences of social isolation, particularly for children [5].

Fostering a pet or welcoming a different kind of animal into your family could provide immediate relief to the rescue community. There are currently over 7,306 adoptable pets advertised as needing foster carers on the PetRescue website, which is currently Australia’s largest searchable database of rescue pets. There’s no shortage of different kinds of animals to consider welcoming into your home either. You’ll find over 4907 interesting species of animals including guinea pigs, ferrets, birds, horses, sheep, rabbits, and more, all currently available to adopt today, also listed on PetRescue
.

If you’re considering adopting, like over 25% of Australians8, but are hesitant of bringing an animal with poor behaviour traits into your home, fear not. Animal Behaviourist and Petstock Foundation ambassador, Dr Kate Mornement says it shouldn’t put you off. “Many rescue animals have been surrendered for reasons other than their behaviour, and many have undertaken basic training, so I would encourage people to not be deterred from adopting for these reasons. In my experience, an adopted animal can adjust and learn how to fit into your life, with a little training and patience”.

“If you’re still concerned, why not consider adopting a different kind of animal? Guinea pigs, birds and rabbits also make wonderful pets, and are particularly great companions for children to help teach them kindness, compassion and how to care for animals. Or if you are not currently in a position to adopt, you could consider fostering a pet in need. Most animals in foster care have their food and medical expenses paid for by the rescue organisation, and it’s a great way to see if your family is ready to commit to a pet long term. 

Our family has fostered a number of dogs, as well as a small Conure parrot we fostered before we had kids. After that, we knew we were ready for a pet, and we adopted our foster dog Lenny, who is now a huge part of our family.” says Dr Kate.

Jessica Curtis, Petstock Foundation Strategic Manager says, “There are so many wonderful benefits of pet ownership, including reducing feelings of loneliness, opening up opportunities for social interaction, and increased overall happiness. Pets and people truly are better together, and to get involved in National Pet Adoption Month, we’re asking Australians to adopt or foster a rescue animal, or donate to the Petstock Foundation to support rescue pet charities across Australia”.

Animal lovers are encouraged to visit www.petstock.com.au/adopt or head to their local store in March to find a rescue pet that needs a loving home. 

1 www.petrescue.com.au, accessed 7 December 2023

2 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2023) Australia’s welfare 2023 data insights, catalogue number AUS 246, AIHW, Australian Government. Link

3 Survey conducted by Vibrant Insights on behalf of Petstock, N = 1000, December 2023

4 - 5  Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2023) Social isolation and loneliness, AIHW, Australian Government, accessed 30 November 2023.

6 - 7  www.petrescue.com.au, accessed 15 January 2024

8 Survey conducted by Vibrant Insights on behalf of Petstock, N = 1000, December 2023

About the Petstock Foundation

The Petstock Foundation is a registered charity that exists to empower a better future for pets and people. Since its inception in 2007, The Foundation has raised more than $10 million to date and has found homes for more than 40,000 rescue pets. Petstock Foundation is contributed to by the fundraising initiatives of the Petstock Group, donations by business partners and team members as they come together for the pets that inspire them. 100% of funds raised go towards The Foundation to support its charitable partners and projects with all operating costs covered by the business.

About National Pet Adoption Month

The Petstock Foundation is encouraging Australians to support rescue pets this National Pet Adoption Month, the 10th year of the initiative. Unfortunately, thousands of pets enter the rescue cycle each year through no fault of their own. This National Pet Adoption Month, we want people to open their hearts to a pet in need, and in turn experience the positive impact a pet can bring to their everyday life. Pets and people: we’re better together.



Trailblazing Veterinarian revolutionises pet care ensuring accessible pet care for those facing financial hardship

Eloise Bright, a trailblazing veterinarian, leads the charge in ensuring that no pet suffers due to financial constraints. Under her visionary leadership, ACT Pet Crisis Support, a not-for-profit, has brought together a dedicated group of volunteers united by a common goal: to prevent the unnecessary suffering, rehoming and euthanasia of cherished family pets.

Since 2019, ACT Pet Crisis Support has spearheaded efforts to deliver essential veterinary services to vulnerable animals and their owners.

Dr Eloise Bright with patient Ruby
at TVC Karabar
Operating from the innovative Tiny Vet Clinic, housed within a converted caravan meticulously designed by Dr. Bright and her team of volunteers, her mission is undeniably revolutionary.


Every Wednesday, this clinic serves as a beacon of hope for pet owners facing economic hurdles, offering a vital lifeline to those who might otherwise be compelled to make agonising decisions between their cherished companions and life's fundamental needs.

"At the Tiny Vet Clinic, we are not just treating animals; we are preserving the bonds that tie families together," Dr. Bright remarked passionately. "Our services extend far beyond mere consultations; we offer essential treatments, vaccinations, and even surgical interventions, all with the aim of ensuring the welfare of every pet in need."

The drop-in clinic mainly treats dogs and cats and the odd rabbit or two for all sorts of ailments: allergies, ear infections, microchipping, arthritis injections, even behavioural issues etc. It also provides free health checks to pet owners with a healthcare card.

Dr. Bright also works at the RSPCA one day a week and runs her other business Canberra Behaviour Vet which helps pay the bills so she can treat animals in need through the Tiny Vet Clinic.

Driven by an unwavering commitment to inclusivity, Dr. Bright's vision transcends the confines of conventional veterinary practice. Her ambition to expand the Tiny Vet Clinic's reach is evident, with plans underway to upgrade facilities, acquire larger premises, and recruit additional medical staff.

Dr Eloise Bright with patient Belle 
at TVC Ainslie
"The demand for our services has never been greater"
, Dr. Bright emphasized. 

"Every day, we encounter heart-wrenching stories of pet owners sacrificing their own well-being to care for their animals. It's our duty to alleviate this burden and provide comprehensive care to every creature in need."

With unyielding determination, Dr. Bright seeks to break barriers and shatter stereotypes within the veterinary community. Her advocacy for a mobile veterinary clinic capable of delivering vital services directly to underserved communities represents a bold stride towards a more equitable future for pets and their owners alike.

"We refuse to accept a world where financial hardship deprives pets of the care they deserve," Dr. Bright declared fervently.
"You shouldn't be rich in order to have a pet!" she added.
"Together, we can redefine the landscape of pet healthcare, ensuring that no animal is ever denied treatment based on economic status."
Volunteer Dr Heather at
TVC Karabar

ACT Pet Crisis Support
 is a registered charity with Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status and all donations over $2 are tax deductible. 

ACT Pet Crisis Support is entirely run by volunteers, so your donation goes directly towards unexpected vet bills for pets who would otherwise be unable to receive veterinary care. 

To help keep The Tiny Vet Clinic on the road, donate here

Join the conversation by following on social media:
 ACT Pet Crisis Support on Facebook 
 @act.petcrisissupport on Instagram.




About ACT Pet Crisis Support:

ACT Pet Crisis Support is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to providing essential veterinary care to pets in need, owned by disadvantaged, low-income pet owners in the ACT region.

Through its flagship initiative, the Tiny Vet Clinic, the organisation strives to eliminate barriers to access and ensure that every animal receives the care it deserves, regardless of financial circumstances. 

For more information, visit www.actpetcrisis.com

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