Community tipping competition gives to GAWS

THE Geelong Animal Welfare Society (GAWS) will continue providing the best possible care to lost, abused and injured animals thanks to a $6,500 donation from the Community Bank Surf Coast.

The local not for profit animal welfare organisation was selected as the chosen charity of the winner and third place getters in the inaugural Surf Coast Times and Community Bank Surf Coast Times Footy tipping competition.

For close to 70 years, GAWS has worked to provide the best outcomes for local animals through its life-saving care and rehoming programs, community vet clinic services and community education sessions.

The animal shelter relies solely on the generous support and “labour of love” of the community to deliver their vital work.

GAWS has 30 paid staff members and 180 passionate volunteers.

GAWS marketing and community engagement officer Alexa Hayley said the $6,500 donation would provide a huge boost to their services.

“We are the largest and oldest shelter in the Greater Geelong region and also service the Bellarine, Golden Plains Shire and the Surf Coast.

“In 2022, we had nearly 3,500 animals come through our shelter, and we managed to reunite or rehabilitate and rehome over 90 per cent of the cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs and anything coming to us.

“There’s lots of critical pressure in society right now, particularly with the housing and cost of living crisis. Not only are people becoming homeless, but so are our pets.

“The $6,500 will no doubt reinvigorate our staff and give us the reminder the community has our back and appreciates all the good work we do.

“A huge thanks to the Community Bank Surf Coast and Surf Coast Times for allowing us to be involved, it’s been a pleasure.”

Community Bank Surf Coast branch manager, Daniel Norris said the organisation was rapt to help local community groups like GAWS.

“The concept of the footy tipping competition was to give back to the community and champion local groups. We certainly feel it’s delivered on that.

“Giving back to organisations like GAWS is incredibly important. They do some fantastic work.

“Overall, we are thrilled with how it all went, the concept is terrific, and we love the notion of giving back and helping our community.”

Surf Coast Times managing director Warick Brown said it was a joy to facilitate the tipping competition.

“We are just rapt with the success of the inaugural Times Footy tipping competition.

“It’s been fantastic to provide a platform to raise awareness of all our terrific community groups.

“GAWS are obviously a well-deserved winner. They do a mountain of work in the community.

“We look forward to resuming the competition once again in 2024.”

GAWS say most of the funds will go towards funding washing machines, dental x-ray machines, feed, toys and environment enrichment.

The Geelong shelter been operating at capacity since May, however is working diligently in the background to still help take care of any animals in need.

The organisation will continue to hold any lost or stray pets at GAWS and adopt them into their shelter until rehomed after a seven-night stay in Council hold.

For more, visit www.gaws.org.au/