Huge response to donation call out

CITY of Ballarat staff thanked the community following abundant donations to the Animal Shelter over the festive period.

As a result, the shelter’s storage area is now full and staff cannot accept any more donations.

Community members who have products they wish to donate are advised to contact other local, not for profit organisations including the Soup Bus or Ballarat Foundation.

Mayor Cr Des Hudson thanked the community for their contribution.

“It really demonstrates the generosity of the Ballarat community,” he said.

“To know that we’ve reached capacity and really can’t take any more donations is really humbling.”

Ballarat Animal Shelter coordinator Clare Douglas-Haynes said the end of last year saw a huge increase in surrendered dogs and these donations will be used to help care for them.

“In October, November, December we did see the biggest influx of dog surrenders that we’ve ever seen,” she said.

“We were at capacity probably four or five times which means we couldn’t accept any other dogs which isn’t a good position to be in.”

Ms Douglas-Haynes said one of the causes of this increase is costs associated with having a pet.

“The strain of living and the cost of living has really impacted families not being able to care for their animals,” she said.

“It’s pretty heartbreaking for them to bring in their pet when they don’t have any other option.”