Friends of the Pound celebrates 25 years

TWEED’S lead animal rehoming agency, Friends of the Pound, is celebrating 25 years of its crucial and compassionate work in the community.

Friends of the Pound (FoP) President Sonia Trichter began with the organisation as a volunteer in 2010 and soon afterwards took the helm in 2012.

“It’s wonderful and a real achievement,” Trichter said of the milestone.

“We’ve just made a video with two founding members and another lady that came in after they started, which is kind of a history document and was a great experience.”

The animal lover and cat foster mother had a long career in telecommunications, spending 32 years with Telstra while raising her family, and relocated to the Tweed region 15 years ago.

“We came here in 2010 as we have kids here, and we retired and built a home,” she said.

“Then I thought, what do I do with my time?

“So, I went to RSPCA, who didn’t need anyone, and they sent me down to FoP, and that’s where it all started.”

FoP is in a temporary home at Tweed Heads South while Tweed Council builds a new Animal Management Facility on Lundberg Drive in South Murwillumbah. The current centre only caters to cats, with dogs and cats both fostered offsite.

Kody is one of three Border Collie cross pups found dumped in a cane field searching for his forever home after siblings Kelsey and Kane were adopted. Photo: FRIENDS OF THE POUND

The new rehoming centre will be completed by late 2025 and will care for surrendered and stray dogs, cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs.

Anniversary events in coming weeks include a 25-year Celebration Lunch at Murwillumbah Services Club on May 8, an Afternoon Tea at Club Tweed on May 27 and a fundraising trivia night at South Tweed Sports Club on May 30.

FoP has issued a call to friends, members, and the community for photos or memorabilia to include in the special anniversary display at the celebration lunch. Community members can email or drop them off at the centre in South Tweed.

Trichter said that while the organisation always needs donations, members, foster carers, and community support, its greatest need will be volunteers in the near future.

“We will start advertising for volunteers soon, and that’s for people who wish to volunteer with dogs, cats, bunnies, and foster carers but also look after them at the centre and other roles, which is really important.

“We’re inviting the community and our supporters to celebrate with us at one of the events,” she said.

To find out more about FoP or to join in the festivities, head to friendsofthepound.com/25years