The Queensland Lure Coursing Association's Lure Coursing dates for the year are:

    • 19th April
    • 3rd May
    • 10th May
    • 14th June
    • 23th August Invitation Race (Hope Island Cup)
    • 6th September
    • 4th October
    • 1st November.

We do now also have a large number of adopted Greyhounds racing, the owners are happy to be able to give their dogs what they were bred for, in a happy relaxed atmosphere.

The RSPCA’s big day out – the Million Paws Walk to be held in Pizzey Park Miami and Geissman Oval Mt. Tamborine on Sunday 17 May is lining up to be the best yet!

Community and business leaders have combined to offer some great prizes for a stack of activities and events to be held during the day.

These include:  A Sheraton Mirage Buffet Lunch, QDeck Family Pass, Accommodation at Marriot Surfers Paradise, a 2 night stay At Teacosy Cottage, tickets to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, products from Hamish McBeth, A Training Session from Dogmaster, Doggy Walk Sessions from Your Animal Angels.

In addition and a new feature this year will be the PAWS PICK A BOX Lucky Dip.   For a gold coin, visitors will have the opportunity to win some great prizes.

Spokesperson for the RSPCA Branch, Peggy

Hayes, said the response has been most gratifying - and prizes are coming in daily.

“We couldn’t continue our work without this support,” she said.

Mrs Hayes added that everybody was welcome - with or without a pet.

‘Young families with kids, older residents who love to meet all the animals and of course pet owners who look forward to this event all year.  We have enough activities and events to make this big day out great fun for every age group.”

Registration starts at 8.30am at Pizzey Park with the Walk getting under way about 10.30am.  Bookings can be made now – 5586 2511 or 0405 558 301.  This year online registration is also available and at a reduced price.  Details www.millionpawswalk.com.au, with links to Miami and North Tamborine.

In December 2002, Meryl Harrison moved a large audience to tears at the BBC Animal Awards Ceremony, having been flown over from her native Zimbabwe to receive their Special Award. There she told her tale of the rescue of countless animals caught up in five years of the Zimbabwean land invasions, as farmers and families were forced from their homes to make way for Mugabe’s ‘war veterans’. Many had to leave their animals behind, and it was Meryl’s mission on behalf of the under-funded ZNSPCA to go into these destroyed farmsteads to rescue countless domestic animals and wounded livestock.

Nandi, pictured on the book-jacket of this heart-warming account of her animal rescues, is just one of the many ordinary pet dogs she managed to save.

The bravery of Meryl and her small team, as they overcame huge obstacles to find and return these traumatised pets to their loving owners, has earned her world-renown. But she didn’t do it for any human praise – she did it for the animals, the innocent victims of human folly.

RSPCA Qld's Fire and Flood Assistance
To donate towards RSPCA Qld’s Emergency Response team working to assist animals affected by the floods in North Queensland, please call (07) 3426 9914 or (07) 3426 9972, or donate online.

The VIC Department of Primary Industries - Animal Assistance

The RSPCA Bushfire Appeal

Wildlife Victoria Urgent Bushfire Appeal 2009

Landcare Australia Bushfire Recovery Appeal

AWL staff at the Stapylton Rehoming Centre recently enjoyed a successful weekend – rehoming seven dogs during the weekend of March 7-8.

However adoptions have again dropped, despite the support of local community radio station 101fm, which has very kindly been running community service announcements about the pets of the week at Stapylton.

Lack of road signage could also be a factor, so here are directions on how to easily find the shelter (which is open for rehoming 10am-3pm and for viewing 10am-4pm).
• Take exit 38 off the Pacific Motorway and follow Stapylton-Jacobs Well Road for about 1.5km.
• Turn right into Quarry Road (the first right after the Yatala drive-in movies) and follow Quarry Road up and around to the right into Rossmans Road.
• Keep any eye out for the AWL sign (or call 3807 3782 for more directions). 

On Tuesday 7 April, Sea World along with Tangalooma Island Resort released Nari, the 12 year old male dolphin who was injured by a severe shark bite, back into the wild. One of Tangalooma’s provisioned dolphins, Nari was spotted with severe shark bite injuries on Friday 13 February, however went missing and was not rescued for several days. Nari was brought to Sea World on Monday 16 February and underwent surgery the following day. For the last 7 weeks Nari has undergone treatment at Sea World’s Veterinary Quarantine Centre, and has now been deemed ready for release.

Nari was released at Tangalooma during the sunset feeding program session, where he was rescued. Tangalooma Resort Manager Trevor Hassard said the news that Nari would return to Tangalooma on Tuesday had thrilled everyone at the resort.

“Nari is a regular visitor to Tangalooma’s nightly dolphin feeding program and part of our family. We are delighted to hear he will be back with us soon,” he said.