Emergency Vets        Join us on Facebook
Member Login



Working with Animals
What's On...

Sunday 9 December 2012

Santa Paws - The Wishbone Foundation

September - November 2012

Purina Bark In The Park - Event Listing

Current this Month

RSPCA Vic

Current this Month

Your Local Council Pet Events

Read more >>

Did you know?
Did you know, cats can see in colour, but they have the human equivalent of red/green colour blindness. Even though they have excellent night vision; seeing six times better than us in low light, they may not perceive brilliant detail when looking at objects.

Working With Animals - Articles

Stories by People Working with Animals in different jobs

Working as an Emergency Vet

postdateiconSaturday, 21 May 2011 18:12
A Day in the Life of An Emergency Vet.
A day in the life of an emergency vet may not start in the morning as you might expect. My day yesterday started at 4pm. I arose from bed at 4pm (from an afternoon kip), and set  off to work for the beginning of my 12 hour night shift at 6pm.
At the beginning of the shift we attend rounds. Here the vet who is finishing their shift “hands over” the patients in hospital to the incoming vet. They discuss the history of the patients, their illness and the plans for their treatment overnight.
Last night, Bertie the cat came into the clinic at 6pm. He was rushed into the treatment area to be assessed immediately as  he was very lethargic and had pale gums. Bertie was an old gentleman at 15, and his owners were keen to investigate the cause of his illness. He received life supporting fluid therapy and medications and had testing involving blood collection, ultrasound and chest X-rays. Unfortunately the results of the blood tests showed abnormal blood cells and a swollen liver. Today he is attending a medicine specialist to see if any further treatment can be given. Often, the stabilising treatment given in the emergency centre allows owners time to further consider the options for their pet.
Throughout the evening last night there were a number of animals brought in for many varied reasons.  The consults came in at a steady pace until about 2 am. The consults included;
• Naughty Sam, who arrived home after 2 weeks in boarding kennels, went straight into the children’s bedroom and consumed all of their Easter egg supply. The children were not happy! Luckily for this dog, the owners were very observant and it was made to vomit immediately on arrival at the clinic. It then had some detoxification treatment and was able to go home.
• Barney the beagle, was in hospital from eating the cooked pork bones from Easter Sunday lunch and had nasty, bloody diarrhoea and a sore tummy.  After the intensive fluid and antibiotic treatment it had received on the previous 2 nights, the subsequent treatment was frequent feeding of chicken and lots of pats. Barney was ready to go home the next morning.
• Tiny, a little Chihuahua who had a distressing period of gagging and salivating. It was found to have a portion of the owner’s nail stuck between the back teeth, causing irritation to the tongue and gums. The owner was quite shocked.
Unfortunately not all admissions to the clinic have a good outcome. Last night an elderly dog came in with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus. The disease had been a struggle for both the dog and the owner. This disease can be difficult both financially and emotionally for owners, with the frequency of vet visits and the seriousness of the complications. Unfortunately, after some initial emergency treatment, he was euthanased due to serious complications. Another sad case was a young dog who had presented with extreme tiredness.  After some blood and urine testing, it was found to have been bitten by a Tiger snake. The owner was unable to treat any further and the dog was euthanased.  Although this part of the work can be very difficult, it can also be rewarding to allow a suffering pet to die with dignity, and to provide emotional support to owners in a stressful stage of their loved pet’s life.
Once the consults start to ebb, time is taken to further examine the hospital patients, perform procedures and reassess treatment plans. Last night this included an abdominal ultrasound to collect urine, sedation of a cat to clean and bandage a leg which had a section of bone emerging from the skin, and sedation of a young puppy for X-rays of a fractured elbow.
Sometime over the shift, often in the early hours of the morning, short meal breaks are fitted in around the urgent arrivals and the less urgent but still important procedures to be performed. We try to be healthy but sometimes the comfort food of cheese toasties or peanut butter toast (and of course, chocolate) win out!  Large mugs of coffee are always accepted with enthusiasm, and teamwork amongst staff ensures that people are supported when tiredness and fatigue set in.
The shift is at a close at 6am. After all cases have been recorded in the patient medical history and all details “handed over” to the next shift of veterinary staff,  it is time for a final farewell to the patients with a pat and a cuddle. Then it is off home to a warm bed until next time.
A shift as an emergency vet is never routine and never dull!

A Day in the Life of An Emergency Vet.

A day in the life of an emergency vet may not start in the morning as you might expect. My day yesterday started at 4pm. I arose from bed at 4pm (from an afternoon kip), and set  off to work for the beginning of my 12 hour night shift at 6pm.

At the beginning of the shift we attend rounds. Here the vet who is finishing their shift “hands over” the patients in hospital to the incoming vet. They discuss the history of the patients, their illness and the plans for their treatment overnight.

Last night, Bertie the cat came into the clinic at 6pm. He was rushed into the treatment area to be assessed immediately as  he was very lethargic and had pale gums. Bertie was an old gentleman at 15, and his owners were keen to investigate the cause of his illness. He received life supporting fluid therapy and medications and had testing involving blood collection, ultrasound and chest X-rays. Unfortunately the results of the blood tests showed abnormal blood cells and a swollen liver. Today he is attending a medicine specialist to see if any further treatment can be given. Often, the stabilising treatment given in the emergency centre allows owners time to further consider the options for their pet.

Throughout the evening last night there were a number of animals brought in for many varied reasons. The consults came in at a steady pace until about 2 am. The consults included;

  • Naughty Sam, who arrived home after 2 weeks in boarding kennels, went straight into the children’s bedroom and consumed all of their Easter egg supply. The children were not happy! Luckily for this dog, the owners were very observant and it was made to vomit immediately on arrival at the clinic. It then had some detoxification treatment and was able to go home.
  • Barney the beagle, was in hospital from eating the cooked pork bones from Easter Sunday lunch and had nasty, bloody diarrhoea and a sore tummy.  After the intensive fluid and antibiotic treatment it had received on the previous 2 nights, the subsequent treatment was frequent feeding of chicken and lots of pats. Barney was ready to go home the next morning.
  • Tiny, a little Chihuahua who had a distressing period of gagging and salivating. It was found to have a portion of the owner’s nail stuck between the back teeth, causing irritation to the tongue and gums. The owner was quite shocked. Unfortunately not all admissions to the clinic have a good outcome. Last night an elderly dog came in with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus. The disease had been a struggle for both the dog and the owner. This disease can be difficult both financially and emotionally for owners, with the frequency of vet visits and the seriousness of the complications.

Unfortunately, after some initial emergency treatment, he was euthanased due to serious complications. Another sad case was a young dog who had presented with extreme tiredness.  After some blood and urine testing, it was found to have been bitten by a Tiger snake. The owner was unable to treat any further and the dog was euthanased.  Although this part of the work can be very difficult, it can also be rewarding to allow a suffering pet to die with dignity, and to provide emotional support to owners in a stressful stage of their loved pet’s life.

Once the consults start to ebb, time is taken to further examine the hospital patients, perform procedures and reassess treatment plans. Last night this included an abdominal ultrasound to collect urine, sedation of a cat to clean and bandage a leg which had a section of bone emerging from the skin, and sedation of a young puppy for X-rays of a fractured elbow.

Sometime over the shift, often in the early hours of the morning, short meal breaks are fitted in around the urgent arrivals and the less urgent but still important procedures to be performed. We try to be healthy but sometimes the comfort food of cheese toasties or peanut butter toast (and of course, chocolate) win out!  Large mugs of coffee are always accepted with enthusiasm, and teamwork amongst staff ensures that people are supported when tiredness and fatigue set in.

The shift is at a close at 6am. After all cases have been recorded in the patient medical history and all details “handed over” to the next shift of veterinary staff,  it is time for a final farewell to the patients with a pat and a cuddle. Then it is off home to a warm bed until next time.

A shift as an emergency vet is never routine and never dull!

Contributed by the Animal Emergency Centre at www.aecvets.com.au

 

 

Dog Walker

postdateiconFriday, 17 September 2010 13:08
DOG WALKING
The best job in the world
Devoted dog owners are learning about the benefits of having their dog’s professional walked.  Some people mistakenly think because a dog is being professionally walked that the owner isn’t doing it.  This couldn’t be more wrong.  Most of our clients walk their own dogs and in fact dogs that aren’t walked by their owners aren’t as happy as those who are and tend to have behaviour problems.  Dog walking should be as well as (not instead of) owners’ walks.   These days we work long hours and we have high expectations for dogs living in our society so having extra stimulation during the day helps with behaviour problems and tends to the emotional needs of dogs.  Having your dog walked by an experienced walker should also help with confidence, manners and socialisation with other dogs.
What is it like to be a dog walker?  Well it’s great!  But it’s not for everyone.
LIFESTYLE - You spend your days outdoors in the fresh air at the parks and beaches which is just lovely in autumn and sometimes in spring but when you get extreme temperatures it can be a challenge.  Dogs tend to enjoy winter and have a lot of energy but some older dogs struggle with joint pain and when the storms come you need to get indoors quickly or you could have some very scared dogs on your hands.  Then the wet dogs, boy that’s great and if you have a Labrador or another water dog then just try and keep them out of the muddiest puddles, they can smell them from a mile away.  In summer it can be lovely frolicking at the beach and hanging out with the dogs under a tree at the park but it can be a hazard in the hot sun for humans and especially for the dogs.  Dogs overheat very quickly as they don’t have our ability to cool themselves down.
SAFETY – If you spend too much time thinking about the possible dangers you’d go crazy.  So, you need to assess risk, have a good and up to date safety policy, and stick to it, and be aware of everything coming your way – other dogs, snakes, people, cars, cats etc.  You need to be able to think on your feet and most of all stay calm and think ahead all the time.  If you do have a problem you need to have an action plan - where is the closest vet, which vet carries anti-venom, where are the emergency hospitals with after hour care and what are their phone numbers.  Prevention is absolutely necessary.  You can’t wait to learn by your mistakes because a mistake could mean the death of a dog.  You need to learn, and keep learning, about pet first aid and dog behaviour.  You need to be able to identify a dog’s early stress signals and address the dog’s concerns so you can prevent the unthinkable – running off, having a fight with another dog or biting a person.  These signals can be so subtle they’re often missed until the big signs come i.e. growling or biting.   Assessing a dog’s suitability for groups or solo walks requires training and a good understanding of what the dog is trying to tell you with its body language so anyone looking for a dog walker needs to do their homework.  A walker mixing dogs needs to understand group dynamics and ensure all dogs are comfortable and confident, if not then the group needs to change immediately.
THE CONS – dogs can be really gross!  Some love to roll in vomit and/or poo, a dead animal or just mud - the stinkier the better.  Others may have a tummy upset but you don’t know until they’ve had the squirts in your car which can be fun.  Disease spreads very easily between dogs so you need to ensure vaccinations and worming etc are up to date and you need to keep cars, towels etc clean all the time.  If there is an outbreak you need to have procedures in place to deal with it and always keep your clients in the loop.
THE PROS – the best thing is the relationship you have with your dogs, the better the relationship the better their responses are.  You’re like the aunty or uncle getting the dogs at their best and they need you at your best.  If you’re having a bad day all you need is to arrive at the park and you get lost in the moment with your furry friends.  You learn to understand each other and work well together as a team. There is nothing better than seeing a new dog that is lacking in confidence blossom into a happy and confident dog that looks to you whenever they need reassurance or runs to you if they get nervous. When walking groups of dogs getting the dynamics is crucial and when you get it right it’s like poetry in motion…Woof Woof
Contributed by: Nicole Stevens at www.barkinthepark.com.au

The best job in the world 

Devoted dog owners are learning about the benefits of having their dog’s professionally walked.  Some people mistakenly think because a dog is being professionally walked that the owner isn’t doing it.  This couldn’t be more wrong.  Most of our clients walk their own dogs and in fact dogs that aren’t walked by their owners aren’t as happy as those who are and tend to have behaviour problems. Dog walking should be as well as (not instead of) owners’ walks.   These days we work long hours and we have high expectations for dogs living in our society so having extra stimulation during the day helps with behaviour problems and tends to the emotional needs of dogs.  Having your dog walked by an experienced walker should also help with confidence, manners and socialisation with other dogs.  

What is it like to be a dog walker?  Well it’s great!  But it’s not for everyone.

LIFESTYLE - You spend your days outdoors in the fresh air at the parks and beaches which is just lovely in autumn and sometimes in spring but when you get extreme temperatures it can be a challenge.  Dogs tend to enjoy winter and have a lot of energy but some older dogs struggle with joint pain and when the storms come you need to get indoors quickly or you could have some very scared dogs on your hands.  Then the wet dogs, boy that’s great and if you have a Labrador or another water dog then just try and keep them out of the muddiest puddles, they can smell them from a mile away.  In summer it can be lovely frolicking at the beach and hanging out with the dogs under a tree at the park but it can be a hazard in the hot sun for humans and especially for the dogs.  Dogs overheat very quickly as they don’t have our ability to cool themselves down.  

SAFETY – If you spend too much time thinking about the possible dangers you’d go crazy.  So, you need to assess risk, have a good and up to date safety policy, and stick to it, and be aware of everything coming your way – other dogs, snakes, people, cars, cats etc.  You need to be able to think on your feet and most of all stay calm and think ahead all the time.  If you do have a problem you need to have an action plan - where is the closest vet, which vet carries anti-venom, where are the emergency hospitals with after hour care and what are their phone numbers.  Prevention is absolutely necessary.  You can’t wait to learn by your mistakes because a mistake could mean the death of a dog.  You need to learn, and keep learning, about pet first aid and dog behaviour.  You need to be able to identify a dog’s early stress signals and address the dog’s concerns so you can prevent the unthinkable – running off, having a fight with another dog or biting a person.  These signals can be so subtle they’re often missed until the big signs come i.e. growling or biting.   Assessing a dog’s suitability for groups or solo walks requires training and a good understanding of what the dog is trying to tell you with its body language so anyone looking for a dog walker needs to do their homework.  A walker mixing dogs needs to understand group dynamics and ensure all dogs are comfortable and confident, if not then the group needs to change immediately.

THE CONS – dogs can be really gross!  Some love to roll in vomit and/or poo, a dead animal or just mud - the stinkier the better.  Others may have a tummy upset but you don’t know until they’ve had the squirts in your car which can be fun.  Disease spreads very easily between dogs so you need to ensure vaccinations and worming etc are up to date and you need to keep cars, towels etc clean all the time.  If there is an outbreak you need to have procedures in place to deal with it and always keep your clients in the loop.

THE PROS – the best thing is the relationship you have with your dogs, the better the relationship the better their responses are.  You’re like the aunty or uncle getting the dogs at their best and they need you at your best.  If you’re having a bad day all you need is to arrive at the park and you get lost in the moment with your furry friends.  You learn to understand each other and work well together as a team. There is nothing better than seeing a new dog that is lacking in confidence blossom into a happy and confident dog that looks to you whenever they need reassurance or runs to you if they get nervous. When walking groups of dogs getting the dynamics is crucial and when you get it right it’s like poetry in motion…Woof Woof

Contributed by: Nicole Stevens at www.barkinthepark.com.au

 

Cattery Attendant

postdateiconWednesday, 01 September 2010 13:00
Working in a cattery is not just playing with and patting cats although that is a fun, fabulous part of it. The job requires compassion, patience, good organisational skills, the ability to notice minor details and a good knowledge of feline behaviour, health and welfare.  A strong stomach is also required as lots of cleaning up of fecal matter, vomit and other such nasties is a considerable part of the job!
I have found the most important requirement is the ability to recognise when a cat is showing signs of discomfort or unhappiness. This includes day to day things like whether the cat has a particular dietary preference or if it will not use a certain brand of cat litter, up to important health issues such as whether the cat is straining to wee or has a weepy eye. Often these issues have to be gauged in one quick examination as one doesn’t have time to stare at each cat for half an hour at a time. The cats’ health history and known previous behaviors and personality traits contribute to these assessments so a good Cattery Attendant has to acquire a lot of facts about each of the cats in their care.
Patience and understanding is required at all times when dealing with the boarding cats. It must be remembered that they are out of their own cosy home environment where they feel secure so may behave in a volatile or defensive manner. The ability to predict a cat’s mood / behavior from its posture and vocalisation is a vital skill if you want to keep things calm.
The day to day procedures of the cattery can include:
washing up to 50 litter trays, cat cages, and 100 odd food and water bowls
making up the litter trays and accommodation cages ready for re-use
administering medications as required, including tablets, ointments, and insulin injections etc.
feeding cats according to health issues or preferences
answering of telephone enquiries
admission and discharge of cats and other cleaning tasks are also intergrated in these activities.
Provided by: Natasha Chapman,  D.B. Boarding at www.elgarvet.com.au

Working in a cattery is not just playing with and patting cats although that is a fun, fabulous part of it. The job requires compassion, patience, good organisational skills, the ability to notice minor details and a good knowledge of feline behaviour, health and welfare.  A strong stomach is also required as lots of cleaning up of fecal matter, vomit and other such nasties is a considerable part of the job! 

I have found the most important requirement is the ability to recognise when a cat is showing signs of discomfort or unhappiness. This includes day to day things like whether the cat has a particular dietary preference or if it will not use a certain brand of cat litter, up to important health issues such as whether the cat is straining to wee or has a weepy eye. Often these issues have to be gauged in one quick examination as one doesn’t have time to stare at each cat for half an hour at a time. The cats’ health history and known previous behaviors and personality traits contribute to these assessments so a good Cattery Attendant has to acquire a lot of facts about each of the cats in their care.

Patience and understanding is required at all times when dealing with the boarding cats. It must be remembered that they are out of their own cosy home environment where they feel secure so may behave in a volatile or defensive manner. The ability to predict a cat’s mood / behavior from its posture and vocalisation is a vital skill if you want to keep things calm.

The day to day procedures of the cattery can include:

  • washing up to 50 litter trays, cat cages, and 100 odd food and water bowls
  • making up the litter trays and accommodation cages ready for re-use
  • administering medications as required, including tablets, ointments, and insulin injections etc.
  • feeding cats according to health issues or preferences
  • answering of telephone enquiries
  • admission and discharge of cats and other cleaning tasks are also intergrated in these activities.

Contributed by: Natasha Chapman,  D.B. Boarding at www.elgarvet.com.au

 

Pet Masseuse

postdateiconWednesday, 01 September 2010 12:57
Working as a Pet masseuse
What do I do?  I attend to both dogs and cats and provide massage to assist with their overall health and wellbeing.  Common issues corrected include lameness, arthritis, muscle trauma, muscle and nerve degeneration, atrophy, behavioural/emotional problems, stress and anxiety and relaxation.  Also rehabilitation post surgery from conditions such as cruciate ligaments operations and hip replacements.  I offer a mobile service and travel in and around Melbourne to service my clients and also offer a service from my home.
What do I love about my job?  I love making animals feel better and it is very rewarding to see a cat or dog improve dramatically and continue to lead a happy and fulfilling life.  I also enjoy meeting many likeminded pet owners who are passionate about the wellbeing of their pets.  Educating people on pet care and alternative therapies is also a pleasure.
Provided by: Melissa Sciberras at www.pawsitiveanimaltherapies.com.au

What do I do?

I attend to both dogs and cats and provide massage to assist with their overall health and wellbeing.  Common issues corrected include lameness, arthritis, muscle trauma, muscle and nerve degeneration, atrophy, behavioural/emotional problems, stress and anxiety and relaxation.  Also rehabilitation post surgery from conditions such as cruciate ligaments operations and hip replacements.  I offer a mobile service and travel in and around Melbourne to service my clients and also offer a service from my home.

What do I love about my job?

I love making animals feel better and it is very rewarding to see a cat or dog improve dramatically and continue to lead a happy and fulfilling life.  I also enjoy meeting many likeminded pet owners who are passionate about the wellbeing of their pets.  Educating people on pet care and alternative therapies is also a pleasure.

Contributed by: Melissa Sciberras at www.pawsitiveanimaltherapies.com.au

 

Dog Trainer

postdateiconWednesday, 01 September 2010 12:26
My first experience of dog training was when I was eight. Before my beloved Lab Banff arrived, I promised Mum and Dad that I’d take care of all the doggie duties, including training. So at 9.00am every Saturday morning, Banff and I attended our local obedience club. We certainly weren’t top of our class, but our time together at training deepened our respect for one another and helped build our bond. It was invaluable.
Those early experiences inform my training today. My focus is helping owners understand their dog’s behaviour and communicate more effectively, strengthening the bond they share. Dogs are constantly communicating with humans, but it is often misinterpreted. Once owners have an understanding of dog language, training becomes simple. Reward based training is a fast, fun and stress-free way to teach new skills and reinforce good behaviours.
The most challenging part of the job is getting owners to change their behaviour around their dogs. But when they see how a simple shift in their own behaviour can transform their dog’s behaviour, they don’t look back.
People often undertake training so their dog will be well behaved, but there are bonus by-products; their dog receives mental stimulation, more opportunities to socialise, and greater freedom. Clear communication means a calmer, less stressful life for both the owner and the dog.
I love opening the lines of communication between owners and their dogs, helping them build rewarding relationships. Sharing your life with a dog should be a joyful experience, made possible when there is mutual understanding.
Contributed by: Zoya Martin - Dog Trainer - Cert III in Dog Behaviour & Training at dogsinspace.com.au

My first experience of dog training was when I was eight. Before my beloved Lab Banff arrived, I promised Mum and Dad that I’d take care of all the doggie duties, including training. So at 9.00am every Saturday morning, Banff and I attended our local obedience club. We certainly weren’t top of our class, but our time together at training deepened our respect for one another and helped build our bond. It was invaluable. 

Those early experiences inform my training today. My focus is helping owners understand their dog’s behaviour and communicate more effectively, strengthening the bond they share. Dogs are constantly communicating with humans, but it is often misinterpreted. Once owners have an understanding of dog language, training becomes simple. Reward based training is a fast, fun and stress-free way to teach new skills and reinforce good behaviours. 

The most challenging part of the job is getting owners to change their behaviour around their dogs. But when they see how a simple shift in their own behaviour can transform their dog’s behaviour, they don’t look back. 

People often undertake training so their dog will be well behaved, but there are bonus by-products; their dog receives mental stimulation, more opportunities to socialise, and greater freedom. Clear communication means a calmer, less stressful life for both the owner and the dog. 

I love opening the lines of communication between owners and their dogs, helping them build rewarding relationships. Sharing your life with a dog should be a joyful experience, made possible when there is mutual understanding.

Contributed by: Zoya Martin - Dog Trainer - Cert III in Dog Behaviour & Training at dogsinspace.com.au

 

Animal Shelter Work

postdateiconWednesday, 01 September 2010 10:42
I started working at the RSPCA in 1996 as a volunteer and after a few months, I commenced paid employment.  After living in Sydney for a couple of years working at the RSPCA in Yagoona, I relocated to Melbourne and started work at RSPCA Burwood East as a Kennel Supervisor of seized and restricted dogs.  Seized dogs are either impounded for causing harm to a person or another animal or have been taken because they may be a restricted breed. Inspector seized animals have been removed from their homes usually due to neglect. While my role can be very challenging, I thought I would share a recent case that truly makes the work I do worthwhile.
Zena, a female German Shepherd was removed from her home as she was not being cared for by her owner.  She was extremely thin and had chronic flea allergy dermatitis. Initially she was a very withdrawn dog and was extremely shy. It took quite a few weeks to improve her body condition, however with decent food and flea control she started to look much better. Winning her trust took longer unfortunately. To build Zena’s confidence, I decided to put her in the shelter office for some socialising.  It’s a busy office, with volunteers, adoption officers and shelter staff constantly coming and going. She slunk around on her belly for about half an hour and didn’t seem to enjoy it. I persisted with this and she soon got used to the office and would be jumping out of her skin to get in there. She also quickly learned toilet training which was a great result. To further her socialisation, we moved her to another location in our Administration area where her confidence continued to build.  She became a favourite with staff and volunteers and soon become known as Zena, Warrior Princess! Months went past and eventually our Inspector was successful in getting her surrendered to us.  By this time,she had been in the RSPCA’s care for around eight months.
Zena was then assessed for re-homing, and after that went well, she was officially made available for adoption. The next hurdle was finding a suitable home. We had our animal behaviourist look at Zena, who developed guidelines regarding what would be the most suitable environment for her. This included Zena being the only dog (although cats were no problem as she had previously lived with a cat - if anything was extremely cautious of them!), a home with no small children as she was frightened of them and an adoption family who would welcome her inside and have the commitment to continue her socialisation and training.
It took a few weeks for us to find the right home however the perfect new owners for her did come along. They were a mature couple that had always owned German Shepherds and understood the breed. Zena would live indoors with them and their cat. Bidding Zena farewell, I saw her new parents to their car where Zena instantly jumped into the back as if she had done so a million times before.  The happy endings make my job so rewarding.
Contributed by: Beck Lindsay, RSPCA Victoria Shelter : www.rspcavic.org

I started working at the RSPCA in 1996 as a volunteer and after a few months, I commenced paid employment.  After living in Sydney for a couple of years working at the RSPCA in Yagoona, I relocated to Melbourne and started work at RSPCA Burwood East as a Kennel Supervisor of seized and restricted dogs.  Seized dogs are either impounded for causing harm to a person or another animal or have been taken because they may be a restricted breed. Inspector seized animals have been removed from their homes usually due to neglect. While my role can be very challenging, I thought I would share a recent case that truly makes the work I do worthwhile.

Zena, a female German Shepherd was removed from her home as she was not being cared for by her owner.  She was extremely thin and had chronic flea allergy dermatitis. Initially she was a very withdrawn dog and was extremely shy. It took quite a few weeks to improve her body condition, however with decent food and flea control she started to look much better. Winning her trust took longer unfortunately. To build Zena’s confidence, I decided to put her in the shelter office for some socialising.  It’s a busy office, with volunteers, adoption officers and shelter staff constantly coming and going. She slunk around on her belly for about half an hour and didn’t seem to enjoy it. I persisted with this and she soon got used to the office and would be jumping out of her skin to get in there. She also quickly learned toilet training which was a great result. To further her socialisation, we moved her to another location in our Administration area where her confidence continued to build.  She became a favourite with staff and volunteers and soon become known as Zena, Warrior Princess! Months went past and eventually our Inspector was successful in getting her surrendered to us.  By this time,she had been in the RSPCA’s care for around eight months.

Zena was then assessed for re-homing, and after that went well, she was officially made available for adoption. The next hurdle was finding a suitable home. We had our animal behaviourist look at Zena, who developed guidelines regarding what would be the most suitable environment for her. This included Zena being the only dog (although cats were no problem as she had previously lived with a cat - if anything was extremely cautious of them!), a home with no small children as she was frightened of them and an adoption family who would welcome her inside and have the commitment to continue her socialisation and training.

It took a few weeks for us to find the right home however the perfect new owners for her did come along. They were a mature couple that had always owned German Shepherds and understood the breed. Zena would live indoors with them and their cat. Bidding Zena farewell, I saw her new parents to their car where Zena instantly jumped into the back as if she had done so a million times before.  The happy endings make my job so rewarding.

Contributed by: Beck Lindsay, RSPCA Victoria Shelter : www.rspcavic.org

 
More Articles...
New Articles
Ask the Vet Articles

Checkout our Pet Directory: Vet Clinic Dog Groomer Dog Walking Pet Sitting Animal Shelters Boarding Kennels Cattery Doggy Day Care Pet Shops Dog Training Adopt A Pet 

Copyright 2011 Pets Boulevard – Pet Care Directory and Dog Facts, Cat Information. Privacy | Disclaimer | Ts & Cs | Sitemap Designed & powered by DISKMANdotNet