Geelong pet charity to host inaugural gala

GEELONG charity Don’t Forget My Pet Foundation has announced it will host its inaugural gala on October 3.

To be held at the Pavilion Geelong, the event is a celebration of everything the foundation has achieved, where it has come from and where it is going.

The local charity works to help people in need of support to keep their pets, including those facing financial difficulties through to individuals dealing with illness, disability and mental health challenges.

Don’t Forget My Pet Foundation managing director Alysha McKenzie said the evening is designed to be a celebration of the charity.

“It’s something that we want to do on an annual basis to raise awareness but also thank our community and bring our community together,” she said.

The idea for the charity came when Ms McKenzie was travelling around Europe. When she landed back in Australia in October 2023, she started turning her idea into a reality.

Since then, Don’t Forget My Pet Foundation has provided thousands of pet meals, assisted with veterinary care for 26 pets, diverted tonnes of petfood from landfill, and more.

While celebrating all the charity has done, the gala – sponsored by the Newtown Veterinary Clinic – is also a fundraising event, aiming to raise enough money to purchase a van to continue supporting vulnerable individuals.

“The fundraising will hopefully go some way towards purchasing that, or providing we can get a grant, then providing the ongoing costs for a van,” Ms McKenzie said.

“We’ve provided over 27,000 pet meals to the community and over 4.5 tonnes of food, so we do actually need a better way to transport that.”

As part of the evening, guests will be in the running for door prizes, live auctions, a silent auction, stories of impact, and live music from local bands.

Prizes have been donated by local businesses including Bunnings Waurn Ponds and Paw Patrol Daycare.

Tickets are on sale now at shoutforgood.com