Paintadog!

This is a somewhat Sydney-centric post, but it is a beautiful idea shared by a friend. It encourages artists, it supports bushfire recovery, and it celebrates dogs. So I am posting it here.

Paintadog

Paint and help us make history! Enter the first ever Blackheath village dog art competition in Springtime 2020

Do you have a dog? Enjoy painting? Then be part of a history-making event and enter a painting of your dog, or someone else’s dog in the inaugural

Blackheath PAINTADOG competition.

The competition is open to everyone across New South Wales and will be judged in two categories: Children up to 15 years and adults.

Submissions can be drawn or painted, and must be mounted, but unframed. Initially copies of works must be submitted through our website www.paintadog.com.au with your entry form. As our space is limited we can only accept the first one hundred works from each category.

Entry to the exhibition is free and opens 11 am on Saturday October 3^rd  2020.  Judging will be by a well-known local artist

A non refundable entry fee to the competition, adults $20 children $5. All profits from Paintadog will be donated to The Blackheath Rhododendrum Park, which was badly affected by the 2019-2020 bush fires.

Entries will open Monday 24^th August 2020 and close on Friday 24^th September 2020 Please fill out the entry form on our website and scan with your painting.

Prizes: $750 for the adult winner, $250 for The People's Choice, four $100  for the children's category. Information about other prizes from local businesses and councils, will be available closer to the date on our website.

There will be a dog parade, weather permitting.

We recommend you book your accommodation early, to avoid disappointment. There are many pet friendly Airbnb's, Stayz etc.. in and around Blackheath. A list of these will be posted on our website: www.paintadog.com.au closer to the time.

With thanks to The Blue Mountains Bush Fire Recovery Program

The RSL Blackheath

The RFS Blackheath

Jenny ward Communications Director

Henry Collins

More sponsors will be .published closer to the date

Improving the way animals are cared for in natural disasters

A hungry possum affected by the fires. Image courtesy South Penrith Veterinary Clinic.

As bushfires continue to burn throughout New South Wales it is impossible not to consider the animal victims - companion animals, wildlife and livestock. Its important not to get overwhelmed by the enormity of it all - there are still plenty of positive things that we can do. If you aren't close to the fireground consider donating to groups that have been helping animals, including the RSPCA and WIRES.

If you are close to the fireground and an injured critter wanders into your backyard, take it to your nearest veterinarian (in the case of companion animals may can be re-traced to their owners via microchip). 

Veterinary clinics close to the firegrounds have been inundated with animals. Dr Robert Johnson from South Penrith Veterinary Clinic posted a video (click here) of a hungry little possum in the Springwood fires.

Image courtesy South Penrith Veterinary Clinic.

Image courtesy South Penrith Veterinary Clinic.

Image courtesy South Penrith Veterinary Clinic.

Image courtesy South Penrith Veterinary Clinic.This beautiful little green tree snake, from Heather Glen Road in Winmalee, can't be returned to its home as the area is completely burnt out. 

[Spare a thought for the staff at South Penrith Veterinary Clinic and other clinics in areas surrounded by the fires. Dr Johnson, Dr Jane Roffey and their team - Robyn, Kathryn, Jess, Natasha and Parice - have been working a full hospital, with only one paying customer - the rest are rescued animals and boarders whose owners have been evacuated due to fires. Dr Johnson wanted to extend his thanks to people who had offered help - from Provet to clients and members of the community].

The NSW Department of Primary Industries is seeking to enhance the way we care for animals during natural disasters and are hosting a series of regional workshops on this topic.

Everyone who is responsible for animals must have information, guidelines and tools to help them prepare for a natural disaster before their animals need to be rescued or, worse, are injured or killed as a result of a disaster.

The cost to the community and to individuals due to lost production, replacement of livestock, veterinary services, disruption to our food supply and emotional loss due to natural disasters is enormous. And the suffering endured by productive, recreational, companion and native animals is heartbreaking.

One vital way of caring for our animals and preparing for their welfare before a natural disaster is to improve the way we engage with people who own or manage animals – in commercial, companion and recreational contexts. Because native animals are an irreplaceable resource unique to Australia, their welfare is of course equally important.

A swamp wallaby is brought into care.

They are holding a series of half-day workshops in regional centres to determine what is already being done to care for animals before and during natural disasters, identify stakeholders and their needs, examine the role of emergency services and other agencies in animal welfare and work out what is the best approach.

If you have any experience please consider attending these workshops - being a voice for animals now will greatly enhance their chances of survival in the future. For dates and times of the workshop, please click here for the full PDF.