HappyPaws Haven in Grafton

About us

HappyPaws Haven is an incorporated and endorsed animal welfare charity providing services in Sydney, the Southern Highlands and Grafton. HappyPaws Haven in Grafton was founded by Sally Rogers in July 2006, and has grown to include a number of local volunteers who dedicate their time to providing care and housing for local cats and dogs who have been lost, abandoned or mistreated. Veterinary Services are provided by the South Grafton Veterinarian Clinic. Volunteers are covered by public liability insurance and volunteer activities are an option for people on New Start and Work for the Dole Programs. The charity is run based on the model rules for associations supplied by the NSW Office of Fair Trading.

Background

In July 2006, Sally Rogers determined that an animal refuge was needed for the local pets that were in distress through mistreatment, abandonment and poor health as there was no domestic dog shelter or animal rescue association in the Clarence Valley at that time. Having rescued and cared such animals in Sydney, Sally began by housing cats in a purpose built shelter she personally built and funded for her own pets. Over the next 12 months Sally successfully found homes for over 50 animals. From this came the decision to form a recognised animal welfare group in Grafton, and in April 2007 HappyPaws Haven was incorporated. Since then nearly 400 animals have been rescued and cared for by the volunteer carers in the area. 150 cats/kittens and 77 dogs /puppies have found permanent loving homes both locally and interstate.

The on-going benefit of animal companions for caring families are many, and is proven by the continued re-homing of animals by HappyPaws Haven. HappyPaws Haven promotes responsible pet ownership and achieves positive outcomes for animals, animal ethics, and new pet owners. It sets an example for the community and government. It allows students, volunteers and community workers to continue their valuable service.

The number of stray, feral or abandoned cats and dogs is caused, in many cases, by unmanaged breeding. HappyPaws Haven seeks to reduce this excess, whilst helping to manage it. This is ultimately an uneconomical exercise, though extremely essential to the community, the environment and the animals.

The de-sexing of companion animals reduces the number of stray, feral or abandoned animals, by ensuring that fewer unwanted kittens and puppies are produced. This means that the economic and environmental impacts by feral animals to the Clarence Valley region, and other regions, is reduced.

If you consider that two undesexed cats and all their descendents, if none are desexed, can number 420,000 in seven years, while two undesexed dogs and their offspring can number 67,000 in just six years, it becomes clear how important desexing really is. In addition, it costs taxpayers millions of dollars to 'control' the problem through the humane euthanasia of unwanted animals. For example the desexing of 120 cats, over the last 12 months, through the HappyPaws Haven desexing program has effectively resulted in reduction of over 10,000 possible feral cats in the Clarence Valley Region.

This region of NSW has significant biodiversity, natural resources and agricultural land. World Heritage listed areas are to the west and east of Grafton, where Dingoes occur or occurred. Breeding with feral dogs has reduced the numbers of Dingoes in this region and they are now considered probably extinct here.

These feral dogs also attack and kill livestock, resulting in direct economic losses, raising cost of production, and have a flow on effect for the local economy, the viability of long-term sustainable production and the overall cost of food.

Feral cats pose a more environmental problem. The Feral Cat is carnivorous and capable of killing vertebrates up to 2-3kg. Preference is shown for mammals weighing less that 220g. and birds less than 200g. but reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates are also eaten.

Predation by Feral Cats has been implicated in the extinction and decline of many species of mammals and birds on islands around Australia and in other parts of the world, and in the extinction of up to seven species of small mammals on the Australian mainland.

The economical and environmental benefits of cat & dog desexing are significant to the whole community. There are also significant benefits to the health of animals, addressing illness, quality of life and behavioural issues.

What we do

The purpose of HappyPaws Haven is to provide short term care to cats and dogs that have been lost, abandoned or mistreated. Permanent homes are found for rehabilitated animals.

The animals which arrive at HappyPaws Haven are fed, cleaned, treated for fleas and worms if necessary, and given a place of shelter. Initially, the animals are housed separately, either at a carer or at the South Grafton Veterinary Clinic. At this time, the animals are vet checked to determine the health of the animal, and provided with any treatment required. If a positive identification can be made through the presence of a micro-chip, owners are notified as to the whereabouts of the animal and inviting them to come and collect it thus determining whether the animal is lost or has been surrendered.

Following assessment of the animal’s health and behaviour the animal is integrated with similar type animals placed in temporary care at the home of a volunteer.

Any ongoing health problems are monitored and treated by the South Grafton Veterinary Clinic. All dogs are assessed by Carole Bryant, a local professional behavioural dog trainer, and rehabilitation and training plans are implemented according to the professional advice given. All animals are cared for in a clean sheltered environment until homes are found for them at the residence of a volunteer carer. Cats and dogs are immunised, micro-chipped and de-sexed as necessary prior to being released from the carer.

During their time at a carers residence, cats are housed in a purpose built facility which has been fitted out for comfort and safety. Separate areas are provided to provide both quiet time and play areas. A specially designed area enables cats and kittens to have access to the outside while still being safely enclosed. These areas, including floors, food and litter containers are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected daily.

Happy Paws Haven also takes in a limited number of dogs. Kennels are provided at the principal carer for some, but most dogs are cared for at volunteer carer’s homes in the Clarence Valley. All animals are fed quality foods while in care.

HappyPaws Haven is fussy about who adopts these animal and where they are housed and cared for. The documented adoption criteria is documented as a questionnaire and strictly adhered to.

Our records

All animals and their details are recorded in a Microsoft Excel Workbook and are updated as changes occur.

Micro-chipped animals have their details recorded on the official micro-chip database. Information on our activities is published through the local media, community notice boards, and veterinary clinics.

A dedicated website www.happypaws.com.au is utilised by rescue groups around Australia to find suitable homes for rescued animals. Descriptions and photographs of individual animals are published to enable suitable homes to be matched to the animals needs. This site has enabled us to relocate animals into homes both locally and as far a-field as Launceston, Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Adelaide, Brisbane, Toowoomba, Gympie, Bendigo and Alice Springs.

A register of potential new owners is maintained and people wanting pets are interviewed, during which their suitability as a pet owner is matched against their ability to provide a safe and comfortable home for their pet. Vet references are checked, and where possible the accommodation for the pet is inspected. This strict adoption criteria is adhered to in all cases and is well documented.

Animal Education

As manager of HappyPaws Haven and principal carer, Sally Rogers, has educated volunteers, carers, and work experience students, at both the school and TAFE level, in aspects of responsible pet care and ownership. School children have been encouraged to visit HappyPaws Haven to interact with pets in an appropriate and caring manner. TAFE students visit HappyPaws Haven to complete practical assignments as a part of their course work.

We are committed to promoting a safe, comfortable and enjoyable environment for pets, and the families that care for them.