Keeping furry friends warm

BENDIGO Animal Relief Centre (BARC) is calling for donations of warm bedding for dogs at the shelter.

With a larger than usual number of dogs admitted for care during the cold weather, volunteers are finding it difficult to keep up with the washing.

“We saw over 90 dogs admitted to our shelter in July,” said operations manager Fra Atyeo.

“That is up more than 50 percent on the previous month.

“The colder, wet weather usually brings with it a lull in dog adoptions, and July was no exception.

“This means dogs are spending longer in the shelter while they wait for their new homes, and each dog requires a clean bed of soft warm blankets to get them though the cold nights.

“We do have heat lamps for the dogs, but warm blankets are vital.”

Large blankets for big dogs are particularly welcome at the shelter.

“We can use most thick items from the average linen cupboard, such as old sleeping bags, doonas, woollen mattress protectors, wool blankets, faux fur blankets, and anything similar,” said Ms Atyeo.

“But we can’t use pillows as they are too small, even for small dogs.

“Dogs like to paw at their bedding before lying down and pillows move too easily.

“We are also unable to use sheets or other thin linens, or materials which don’t help to retain heat.

“We can use old pet blankets, but we do require them to be clean.

“We cannot use soiled or damaged items.”

Donations can be dropped off at the shelter at 20 Piper Lane, East Bendigo at any time during open hours.

BARC is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm and on Sunday from 10am to 12noon.