We have all seen the social media posts of ‘free kitten/puppy to a good home’ sweet, cute, innocent faces looking back at us in all manner of colours and fluffiness. Small, defenseless, ‘presents’ for that child or family member who we want to please. But for Taryn Gibbs, her team at Fur Paws Sake and many hundreds like them throughout the country, the aftermath of that impulsive purchase is heartbreaking.
Having been involved in animal rescue in some shape or other for over 20 years, Taryn has rescued hundreds of unwanted, dumped and neglected cats, dogs, kittens and puppies and rehomed them. Often paying out of her own back pocket for their injuries and illnesses, she also arranges for them to be speyed or neutered to prevent further proliferation of the problem. Something she believes should be a given for anyone who takes on an animal as their own.
“When people are given or buy from a friend or associate a puppy or kitten, they do it with the best of intentions, but fail to realize that within 4-6 months of that animal’s life, they will be capable of breeding and producing litters of up to 6 further animals that they will have take care of. That cute, fluffy Christmas present become a breeding machine come mid year and often after the first flush of excitement many children are just not ready or mature enough to deal with what it takes to look after an animal. Cats are left to wander, dogs chained up outside, with no regular exercise or training and it doesn’t take long before problems such as escaping or boredom lead to unwanted pregnancies.”
Kittens and puppies optimally should be ‘fixed’ prior to them turning 6 months of age, but a variety of barriers prevent many families from doing so, and Taryn believes more should be done at a local and national government level. Despite subsidized desexing being offered by charities, it is often sporadic, only available in some areas, and not available for all.
“Vets offer desexing but it varies in price immensely and many families can not afford to pay up to $400 on what they don’t see as a necessary part of caring for their animal. There is a variety of charities that offer cheap or subsidized desexing but the demand is so great, or unavailable in certain areas, it is just not enough. Things have definitely got worse since the pandemic, there are families who thought it a good idea at the time to get a pet, and are now all back at work leaving animals to roam, vets are definitely in short supply, and there seems little interest at a national level to bring the problem under control.”
Taryn receives calls daily about dumped or injured animals, and tirelessly works to help them all, but the pressure is immense, especially at this time of the year. For every cat or dog she rescues she estimates another four or five will not be rescued and end up as roadkill, left to fend for themselves or add to the problem by returning home, pregnant and in less than desirable circumstances.
There are success stories though, recently through social media she was alerted to a seemingly lifeless bundle of fluff found by a member of the public on the side of the road in the middle of a storm. Weighing a mere 318grams, ‘stone cold’ as he was named didn’t even register a body temperature, he was so cold. In Taryn’s care, after a couple of hours, sub cut fluids and some oral glucose, he started to respond and even wanted food. He then spent 2 days at the vet on IV fluids due to severs dehydration.
“No animal should ever have to go through what this poor man has been through, yet here we are and it'll continue to happen. You could feel his bones! I am just so thankful to the member of public who found him and reached out for help and I'm glad I got to him in time. I honestly thought he was a goner.”
Unfortunately, this isn’t a one off, and as Taryn says, it will continue to happen unless desexing becomes more affordable and people take responsibility when the choose to take on an animal in their family. You can help Taryn and Fur Paws sake by donating to her charity link here or getting in touch to find out how else you can help. She also has many wonderful animals looking for forever homes, some of whom are featured on the page opposite, so check these out if you want to find that perfect addition to your family.
Adopt Me!!
Meet our gorgeous Cleo
Cleo has been with us for quite some time now and we finally feel like she is ready for a home to call her own.
Cleo came to us as a 5 month old wild kitten with a severe injury to her tail which resulted in total amputation. It has taken her a long time to trust due to her previous history on the streets but now she has finally accepted that people are pretty ok.
Cleo would be best suited to a patient home where her new owner will give her time to settle and adjust. Being that her foster home is the only positive environment she has known, a move into a new home will be a bit of an adjustment for her but once she has settled and bonded, she is the most affectionate girl you could ask for.
Cleo would suit a home with older calm kids, is great with other cats and would do fine in a home with a cat savvy dog.
She is about 2.5 years old, is desexed, microchipped and up to date with flea and worm treatments.
Located Takanini
Meet Raine
Raine is the sweetest girl who can be a little shy with people she doesn't know but once she bonds with you, she is very affectionate and loves her pats. She is fantastic with other cats and kittens and would love a family with older kids who will lavish her with love. She does have a slight problem where her tear ducts are blocked so she gets weepy eyes which will just need a little wipe when this happens. It is not a issue that will cause any problems for her, just a little extra work to wipe them daily.
Rain is 2 years old, is desexed and microchipped. Up to date on fleaand worm treatment. Located takanini.
Meet Gary
This handsome dude is super affectionate and loves his people.
He will quite happily chill with you on the couch or in front of the fire on those cold winter nights.
He would do fine in a home with kids of any age that will lavish him with love and could adjust to a home with a cat savvy dog.
He is not a huge fan of other cats so a cat free household suits him best.
He also has FIV so will need to be a strictly indoors only cat.
Gary is approximately 4 years old. He is desexed, microchipped and is up to date with flea and worm treatments.
Located Takanini