By Dominique Tassell
At least a couple of local pets in need are getting their happy endings.
A local stray, affectionately known as the roundabout cat online, was rescued after living in a drain at the Lock Street and Dragon Street roundabout for many years.
It is now safe with Southern Downs ARK and has been named Nancy.
Another one of ARK’s animals who gained traction online, Baxter, has been adopted.
Baxter arrived in care with a week-old fracture of his left front elbow, caused during play with an adult dog.
Thanks to some fundraising from the community, a gifted surgeon, a shiny stainless screw and loving foster carers, Baxter has regained his mobility.
He’s found a terrific home down south in Victoria.
“He’s had to learn the rules of AFL and give up watching rugby league on TV,” Kathleen Keefe from ARK joked.
“No more state of origin, but he might still see a little bit of league.”
Kathleen says Baxter has gone to a family and has “settled in so beautifully”.
“He’s living in a picturesque small town and life’s good.”
Kathleen says Baxter’s new family was actually found when one of ARK’s volunteers visited a friend down south and showed her some of ARK’s dogs.
Her friend saw Baxter, and it was love at first sight.
ARK has been working hard behind the scenes to make the Southern Downs a better place for pets.
Kathleen says ARK took in three other cats from the pound last week and takes in cats at least once a week from the pound in varying numbers.
“All of the non-feral cats and all of the kittens are rescued by us,” she says.
Kathleen says she’s been working on ARK’s submission for the Council’s Cat Strategy and hopes that locals will also take a look and think about how it might affect them.
Submissions for the Cat Strategy are due by 12 August, via www.sdrc.qld.gov.au/living-here/have-your-say/cat-management-strategy
“It’s really a step in the right direction that the council has given the community an opportunity to have input into the draft and to shape it into a manner that suits the Southern Downs,” Kathleen says.
Southern Downs ARK has long been vocal about the Council signing up to the National Desexing Network (NDN), a targeted, ongoing, low-cost desexing program.
A petition was tabled to Council earlier this year with 1423 signatures, urging the Council to join the network.
“Indiscriminate breeding is the enemy of rescues,” Kathleen says. “We want to do ourselves out of a job.”
You can meet some of ARK’s friendly faces on Sunday at Leslie Park as part of the Potters Craft Market.
