As many grumpy-faced kids return to school and tired-faced parents return to work (all clutching the remnants of their Easter chocolate haul), The Lost Dogs’ Home has a reason to feel pretty darned pleased today.

As we speak, 141 dogs and 127 cats will be waiting for those kids and adults to return home this afternoon, after being adopted during our school holidays half-price adoptions promotion. That’s right: 268 animals now know what it feels like to be loved, adored, safe and warm. And we are over the moon about it.

“We love to offer half-price adoptions during the holidays, because it means new owners will have the time to settle their pet in at home and really get to know it,” said Sue Conroy, General Manager of the Home. “Of course, half price always means the shelter is doubly busy, but when you see figures like we’ve seen over the past two weeks, it’s so worth it.”

Those who wanted to receive the discount had to complete The Lost Dogs’ Home’s Pet Licence test first, which walks prospective owners through the responsibilities of owning a pet. Sue said she was ecstatic to see so many youngsters getting involved and helping to answer the questions.

“That is what we love to see – kids learning about responsible pet ownership from a young age,” she said. “Parents were sitting down with their kids and going through questions about vet care, exercise, training, socialisation, feeding and grooming… everything you need to know about looking after an animal. It’s fantastic to see.”

This promotion helped us to find homes for many of our long-term residents, our older residents and several bonded pairs, all of which are normally quite hard to rehome. We were particularly heartened to see so many adult cats go to new homes.

“The guys who are usually upstaged by cute puppies or kittens were given their chance in the spotlight and they found people who adored them for who they are,” Sue said. “There is no better feeling than seeing a perfect match walk out the door and knowing that cat or dog will be looked after for the rest of their lives.”

There is nothing better than capturing the perfect photo of a loved one. However often our pets are not as cooperative as other family members, resulting in a blurry smudge of paws and fur in every happy snap!

This Christmas, The Lost Dogs’ Home, along with experienced pet photographers Roka Photography, will help you get that special photo of your pet you’ve always wanted.

Our Pet Portraits event will be conveniently held across two days on Saturday, December 3rd and Sunday, December 4th from 10am to 4pm in the Home’s new Thelma Hoult Training and Education Centre.

Each sitting time is 15 minutes long and owners are welcome to bring along more than one pet for a group photo, as well as individual photos. Human family members are also welcome! We want to help create a special family memory you can treasure this Christmas and always.

Bookings are essential – to secure your sitting time, please go to either our Saturday, December 3rd booking form or Sunday, December 4th booking form. A non-refundable sitting fee of $20 applies for each 15 minute session. Afterwards you will be able to choose from a range of photo packages starting at $49 and individual prints starting at $15.

Roka will kindly donate all sitting fees to The Lost Dogs’ Home which will go towards helping lost and abandoned dogs and cats.

Optional Christmas decorations and dress ups will be available; however owners are welcome to bring along their pets own special outfits.

For cats, and those more nervous pets, we have allocated several special (and hopefully quieter) times when they will be amongst other like-minded, shy pets. Please check our booking form for these times.

We ask that owners, pets and family members to be photographed arrive around 10 minutes before their booked sitting time. Please ensure your pet is on a lead or in a secure pet carrier. We will have water and poo bags available.

We ask all owners to supervise their pets properly and be courteous to all others.

Please share our event with other pet owners. By taking part in our Pet Portrait event, not only will you get a wonderful photo to treasure forever but your support will go towards helping the thousands of lost and abandoned dogs and cats The Lost Dogs’ Home cares for every year.

For more information, please contact Gisele Greig in our Fundraising Department on (03) 9321 8744.