BOSL imageErica, Jenny and Cheryl attended a three day seminar last week on The Business of Saving Lives. This collaborative conference was a first for Australia’s animal welfare groups.

An amazing group of people from USA and Australia, including Alley Cat Allies Founder and President Becky Robinson, President and CEO, Helen Woodward Animal Center, Mike ArmsCEO and principal consultant of Humane Network, Diane Blankenburg and other industry experts to give their time and share their knowledge and skills in the areas of Compassion Fatigue, Running Shelters, Marketing, Fundraising, Successful advertising of cats or dogs for adoption and TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release).

It was an exhausting three days as there was so much remarkable knowledge shared which we are sure will benefit us and others in rescue.

Let’s get the facts right – we need you!

Emeritus Professor Jacquie Rand from University of Queensland attended the conference and asked us to share the following:

Could you help spread awareness of an on-line survey from the University of Queensland on predation behaviours of pet cats and dogs, and factors which affect predation by pets. The information gathered will assist in development of evidence-based and humane strategies for management of cats and dogs to benefit wildlife and communities.

You can help by putting a link to the URL in your newsletter or webpage, or putting it on your Facebook page. All responses collected are anonymous.

URL: https://au1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_6lBLXsQ8oN1EjGJ

While some pet cats and dogs like to hunt, the effect that this has on wildlife is still a source of great debate. Research at the University of Queensland is helping us to better understand this situation, so if you own a pet cat or dog, then please complete this survey to tell what your pet gets up to (even if it doesn’t hunt!) and to give your thoughts on the issue of pets hunting.

If you have a partner/boyfriend/husband/brother you can persuade to also complete the survey, that would be fantastic, because we need more responses, including from men.

If you would like any further information, please contact Michael Franklin, (michael@lilydalevetcentre.com.au) or phone (on 0439 992 663) or Emeritus Professor Jacquie Rand, University of Queensland (j.rand@uq.edu.au)

A big thank you to everyone who worked so very hard to make this conference happen. We learnt so much during the three days our heads are spinning!