Each year the Queensland
AWL takes care of approximately 12,000 strayed and abandoned
animals from the Gold Coast and surrounding areas, though
it’s not always fun and games.
“The summer breeding
season is November to April which is when South East
Queensland becomes absolutely inundated with animals,”
says Ms Wheaton.
“Because of the
sheer numbers not all of them are able to be saved and
it can be tough on our staff.”
In the running for Best
Animal Related Club/Association is Arundel based organisation
‘Riding for the Disabled’ (RDA). Providing
remedial horse riding and healthy recreation, the RDA
enables people with disabilities to develop skills through
progressive instruction.
Di Kinsey of Queensland
has been taking her intellectually impaired daughter
Sarah to horse riding lessons at RDA in Arundel for
the past three years and believes it’s time for
them to be recognised.
“It’s such
an important part of my daughters’ life, they
just make such a big difference,” says Ms Kinsey.
“They’re
a not for profit organisation.
“About a year
ago hay prices went up and they really struggled so
it’d be really good to see them win an award,”
says Ms Kinsey.
Ms Kinsey put in a vote
for the association after the vaulting competition in
July.
“My daughter was
involved in the horseback acrobatics.
“Just to see the
sparkles in their eyes, and the volunteers wearing costumes,
looking after her all day when she was only there for
a two minute ride,” says Ms Kinsey.
“For me that’s
just amazing that people do that,” she said.
