Chat Catch-Up: Cathy Beer

Pet Insurance Australia catches up with the brain child of the upcoming Jetpets Companion Animal Rescue Awards, Cathy Beer, to get the rundown on the awards and why this type of recognition is so important to rescue centres across Australia.

With over 900 rescue and rehoming organisations across Australia working tirelessly to rehome and rehabilitate thousands of pets nationwide, these awards strive to recognise the amazing work so many volunteers undertake.

Cathy Beer, pet rescue advocate and founder of Pets4Life wanted to ensure that those excelling in all areas of rescue are recognised and celebrated for the amazing work they do. Until now, our not for profit rescue groups and animal shelters, have not received the recognition they deserve for their dedication to rehabilitating and rehoming companion animals.

“Over the years I’ve attended the Getting To Zero (G2Z) Summits, whose goal is to achieve zero euthanasia of healthy, treatable animals in Australia,” Cathy says. “I always return home from those Summits feeling inspired and awestruck by rescue groups and animal shelters who are trying new ways to improve welfare outcomes for the animals in their care. I think companion animal rescue has come a long way and it’s time to celebrate their achievements. So, I created the Companion Animal Rescue Awards as a way to showcase and celebrate outstanding examples of rehoming best practice.”

Cathy has always had a love for animals. As a child she was always brining home stray cats into the family home to rehabilitate and love. But it was when she adopted two white fluffy dogs known as Rosie and Toby, that animal welfare passion was transform from a flicker to a roaring flame.

“It always starts with adopting a pet, doesn’t it?” she smiles. “When I adopted two white fluffy doggies (Rosie and Toby) in 2008, I became aware of the staggering euthanasia rate of cats and dogs in Australia. I was so shocked I embarked on a mission to find out why this is happening.”

After several discussions with leaders in the animal welfare world, Cathy decided to leave the corporate world behind and created Pets4Life, an independent education resource for cat and dog guardians and those thinking of getting a pet.

“Education is very important!” Cathy says. “When I think back to childhood, my parents did their best but they really did not have a clue about looking after pets. Fortunately, pet guardians are savvier these days and view their pet as a family member, which is great. However, there is so much information on the Internet, it’s hard for people to determine what is good quality advice and what isn’t.”

Through education, Cathy continues to help reduce the 230,000 dogs and cats who remained unclaimed in Australian animal shelters each year.

“My passion for animals reignited big time when we adopted Rosie and Toby,” Cathy says. “Those little doggies changed the course of my life, I’m now 100% immersed in the world of animal welfare. It’s so rewarding for me to apply my professional marketing experience and skills to this cause.”

Cathy urges all Aussies to share their pet adoption story and encourage their favourite rescue group or animal shelter to submit a nomination for an award.

“Anyone involved in rescue or families who have adopted or fostered a pet can submit an entry to win an award and receive fabulous prizes. Entries open 1st July – 31st August 2018.”

CATHY’S TOP 5 TIPS:

• • Think carefully about your lifestyle before you get a pet.
  • Choose your pet breed wisely, understand the breed traits.
  • Not all puppy breeders are ethical. Visit the breeder and their animals in person or pay a local vet to do this for you.
  • Adopting a pet can be one of the best things you’ll ever do. Be sure to ask the rescue group or animal shelter if you can do a trial for a month with the pet.
  • Stuff happens in our lives, have a Plan B in place if you can no longer look after your pet.

More Info?

Check out: www.rescueawards.com.au or their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/rescueawards/ for updates on the Awards.
“I look forward to receiving many heart-warming stories of pet adoption when entries open on 1st July!”
@RescueAwards

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