Vital funds raised in auction for Capricorn Animal Aid

Capricorn Animal Aid can receive dozens of dogs and cats a week from people who can no longer look after them, and now the community has opened their hearts and wallets to lend a hand.

An auction was held at the Red Lion Hotel to raise money for Capricorn Animal Aid.

Pet owners are being forced to surrender their furry friends as the pressure of the rental crisis, unemployment and cost of living pushes them to the brink.

As Capricorn Animal Aid comes under strain as their volunteers rescue countless animals, hundreds of people gathered to do their best to come to the not-for-profit’s rescue.

Vital funds were raised at an auction held at the Red Lion Hotel on October 7 when people opened their hearts and their wallets to help CAA at a fundraiser organised for by animal lover and former Rockhampton MP Robert Schartwen.

Pieces of handmade furniture using rescued timber from iconic buildings, such as the Wintergarden, were auctioned off in a bid to raise money for the organisation.

Some of the items included a bed, bar, coffee tables and serving boards.

About 200 people attended the event, where they also got to meet some of the dogs being cared for by CAA.

An auction was held at the Red Lion Hotel to raise money for Capricorn Animal Aid.

While the final amount raised is still being counted, CAA president Debbie Orr said the money would go towards their vet bill.

“Whatever we get we will be very grateful for because our vet bill is huge,” she said.

“Not only is the money important, it was also vital to get the message out that dogs already in the pound need saving and that they aren’t second best. Second chance doesn’t mean second best.

“It was lovely the community could meet some of the dogs and hear what it’s like to help them and care for them.”

Ms Orr said at the moment CAA has about 50 dogs and 90 cats in its care, some weeks receiving dozens of animals from people who can’t look after them anymore.

“Some of those animals include litters of puppies or kittens, last week we took a whole litter of 10 puppies,” she said.

“Some of the reasons they come to us include the cost of living and people not being able to afford it, they didn’t get their pet desexed in time, the rental crisis and lost jobs.”

An auction was held at the Red Lion Hotel to raise money for Capricorn Animal Aid.

Ms Orr said CAA was always on the lookout for volunteers and foster carers to look after pets between surrender and adoption.

As well as the many animals looking for their fur-ever homes with Capricorn Animal Aid, there are a number of cats and dogs in the care of Rockhampton Regional Council at the Animal Management Centre.

Council’s website has 37 animals listed in the centre’s care, with 33 of them available for adoption.

Capricorn Animal Aid will be holding their next adoption day at PetStock on Sunday, October 30.

To find out more information about CAA, pets available for adoption or how to become a foster carer or volunteer, visit the organisation’s website.