Having been rescued from a slaughter house, then recovering from a freak accident leaving him with a puncture wound, infection and fracture, Charlie the horse is now known as the “Wonder Pony”.

The story of Charlie the horse has touched people so deeply, that an organisation was initiated and named in his honor.

Formed in 2009, Charlie’s Angels Horse Rescue is the response to the overwhelming suffering experienced by horses all throughout Australia.

Sadly former race horses and older horses are commonly sent to knackeries or slaughterhouses, where they are sold for their meat and hide.

Some horses are also subjected to cruel treatment, neglect and can often be abandoned.

Charlie’s Angels Horse Rescue are a not-for-profit organisation whose purpose is to rescue and rehabilitate these abused, neglected, abandoned and homeless horses in order to improve their lives.

Their mission is to find permanent homes for these horses through their adoption program, and to provide the community education about horse care and welfare issues, teaching that every horse life is valuable.

To celebrate the life of all horses, Charlie’s Angels Horse Rescue will be throwing a Big Heart Day from the 25th of July to the 1st of August.

“This day is about honoring those horses that don’t get to have a long and happy life as a result of the racing industry,” says CAHR’s Joanne Schoenwald.

Charlie’s Angels is asking people to host a Big Heart Day morning tea or event during the above dates to raise funds for Charlie’s Angels, baking cupcakes and forming a big heart shape out of them.

“We are asking people to take photos of their creations and email them to us. There will be prizes for the best hearts of cakes,” says Ms Schoenwald.

All donations of $2 and over to Charlie’s Angels Horse Rescue are tax deductible.

For more information about the Big Heart Day, or if you are interested in adopting a horse or to donate visit the Charlie’s Angel Horse Rescue website www.charliesangels.org.au or contact Joanne on via email charlies-angels@live.com.au or phone on 0401 681 908.

There are animal shelters based on the Gold Coast, ensuring animals that have been neglected, abused or abandoned receive the love and care they so greatly need. Most commonly found in these shelters are cats, and dogs, yet not many animal lovers realise is that guinea pigs can also be subjected to neglect and abuse, meaning they too are in need of shelter and care.

Alex Winterford runs the Gold Coast Guinea Pig Rescue (GCGPG), a very special animal shelter caring for Guinea Pigs of all ages.

Located in Southport, the GCGPG generously homes over 120 Guinea Pigs and has been in operation since 2005.

Guinea Pigs are surrendered for the same reasons as cats and dogs, being that some owners are no longer able to care for their pets; therefore they are surrendered or abandoned, left to fend for themselves.

Guinea Pigs can become feral and timid when left in the wild, making it a challenge to re-home them; they also have a very fast breeding cycle, meaning most females are often pregnant when they are brought into the GCGPR shelter.

In these circumstances, the GCGPR has four foster carers who take in these pregnant or timid pigs. After several weeks in a loving environment they are returned to the shelter much happier and more settled, ready to be adopted.

To hinder their rapid breeding cycle, Alex has implemented a de-sexing program, working together with Deborah Monks from Brisbane Birds and Exotics Veterinary Service in Macgregor. Pigs in shelter can be de-sexed as young as three weeks or up to 300g in bodyweight.

“I’m really serious about improving the life of Guinea Pigs,” she says

“I am trying to encourage people to adopt de-sexed guinea pigs thereby ensuring the piggies cannot be used for breeding and health wise, there are huge advantages to having a de-sexed guinea pig.”

Come and meet the friendly Little Paws Rescue Team at their display site at Westfield Carindale Shopping Centre - near the Coffee Club on the top floor.

They'll be there to answer your questions and will have merchandise available for purchase to help support the cats and kittens.

Meet some adoptable cats & kittens, and meet the gorgeous Little Paws mascot cats!

Remember - it's all weekend, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, not just the Saturday!

For more info visit www.littlepawskittenrescue.org.au or
join their Facebook page 'Little Paws Kitten Rescue Association'.

Come and visit the Poultry Show this Queen’s Birthday long weekend in the Fitzroy Pavilion at Exhibition Park In Canberra.

The feature breed to this year show is Barnevelder, one of the rarer breeds originating from the Netherlands.

Six judges will carry out the judging of over 1000 Show birds in accordance with the Australian Poultry Standards, which assess the birds on colour, condition and carriage.

Whether you want to buy a chicken or duck for the backyard or you just want to have a laugh and see all the cute birds, the Poultry Show has it all.

For more info visit 'Click Here' or
join their Facebook page ' Royal Canberra National Poultry Show'.

Got a dirty dog and little time over the weekend to give him a bath?

Drop into the Animal Welfare League on Saturday at the Coombabah Rehoming Centre on Shelter Rd for a $10 hydrobath.

Can’t make it this weekend? Hydrobathing is available every Saturday between 10am and 2pm each week and there are no appointments necessary.

Are you looking to add a cat or kitten to your family? Come to the NEW BEGINNINGS ADOPTION DAY!

- Sausage Sizzle (with vegetarian options!)

- Australian Idol contestant Chrislyn Hamilton performing LIVE!

- Educational flyers and information about Little Paws available

- PETstock Adoption Packs & specials on cat products

- Little Paws cats and kittens available for adoption instore!

Saturday, 19th June 2010, 10am - 4pm, PETstock Capalaba
Shop 1A/67 Redland Bay Rd, Capalaba

For more info visit www.littlepawskittenrescue.org.au or
join their Facebook page 'Little Paws Kitten Rescue Association'.

If you own a greyhound, or any breed of dog and would like to take a walk with a group of people who all love dogs, then come along and join us for a fun morning and the opportunity to meet people and make new friends.

Our next walk is being held at the Hinterland Regional Park, Hardy's Road, Mudgeeraba (Gold Coast) on Sunday 20th June 2010

Walk will begin at 11am.
(Don’t forget your slip, slop and slap, especially for the white dogs)

There are also BBQ facilities and an off leash area, so why not make a day of it and enjoy a BYO BBQ lunch! For more info click on the banner below.

Watch the judging of pedigree and companion cats, browse cat merchandise stalls, and chat to the breeders. Refreshments, cat-related merchandise stalls, and terrific raffle prizes. Some purebred kittens will be available.

For further information contact Robbie Walker on 07) 5525 2104 or visit www.goldcoastcatclub.com.

The first three days will showcase professional development seminars and the trade show, with the final day including a coach tour of local salons.

Fantastic double program focussing on up and coming groomers and advanced groomers!

2 x international speakers! SARAH HAWKES & TERI DI MARINO.

Sponsorship and Exhibitor costs and information is available at www.piaa.net.au.

The yet to be named calf was approximately 90cm in length at birth. The calf’s proud mum is Suzy, a 47 year old dolphin, who is proving to be a very good mum.

Activists say Jumps Racing must stop after numerous injuries to horses over the Victorian racing season has resulted in horses being destroyed on the track.

An average of 13 horses are euthanized every year in jump racing in Victoria, and this includes some of the most accomplished jumpers in Australia.

In May this year, Jumps Racing in Warrnambool ended in carnage after a number of accidents and falls, leaving the future of the sport in question.

There have been six Jump Racing deaths over 14 days in May, including two Victorian horses that perished in South Australia.

The Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses campaign manager Elio Celotto said the latest horse death should be the end of the sport.

Currently, oiled birds are being rescued from marshes and placed into rehab centres, yet sadly some birds, including brown pelicans are unable to be rescued as they are sitting on eggs and by taking these birds, this would disrupt the entire colony.

Capturing the oiled birds is proving to be a challenge and so far, only 27 oil-slicked birds reportedly have been brought to the wildlife centers, and an estimated 433 birds have died.

It is also reported that three oiled sea turtles have been taken to Audubon Aquarium to undergo de-oiling and 22 dead dolphins have been verified, yet it is not known if they died from natural causes or the oil spill.

Kelly Overton, founder the New York City-based nonprofit organization PATH, estimates at least 25,000 animals have died. His numbers are based on the amount of oil spilled since the April 20 explosion and the amount of wildlife, much of it under the surface.

"Many of the animals will never be found," said Overton.

To donate please visit www.path.org. Every little bit helps.

Let us know how you feel about this horrible disaster.
(E-mail us)

If you want a pet but can’t have one full time why not become a foster parent?

Animal shelters such as the RSPCA and Animal Welfare League of Qld are always on the look out for foster parents to care for families of puppies, kittens and older animals who need some special attention.