Thousands of puppies require love this Christmas: how you can help

The Petbarn foundation has launched its annual Christmas Appeal, urging Aussies to help spread love to dogs and puppies in need.

Thousands of dogs and puppies are expected to receive gifts and love this Christmas, as the Petbarn Foundation launches its annual campaign.

The tenth annual Tree of Hope Appeal aims to raise funds to provide support to animal charities and pet owners in need.

This year, the goal is bigger than ever with organisers hoping to raise $1.3 million to provide much needed support to 70 animal charities, helping puppies just like Skye (pictured below).

12 week old Skye was born in a rescue home along with nine other puppies from her litter.

“There are 700 puppies just from one rescue centre in the last 12 months that need rehoming,” Petbarn Foundation manager Janelle Bloxsom told news.com.au.

“Rescue puppies like Sky are just perfect. They’re just looking for a loving home and a family that’s going to give them safety and love and shelter.”

The number of dogs surrendered is at staggering high with 200,000 dogs requiring homes and assistance every year.

Since 2014, the appeal has raised more than $4 million of vital funds, which is distributed among charities like the RSPCA, Animal Welfare League, Empower Assistance Dogs and others.

More than 300 tonnes of essential pet food and supplies have helped puppies and dogs that were unfortunate enough to wind up in rescues and shelters.

Petbarn Foundation Manager Janelle Bloxson urges Aussies to donate.

“It’s no fault of their own. A lot of times rescues end up in there because of the owner’s capacity to take care of the puppies. They might have had a change in their living arrangements,” Ms Bloxson explained.

In addition to helping the thousands of animals in rescues and shelters, funds raised from The Tree of Hope Appeal will be allocated to charities supporting pet owners who are homeless or facing domestic violence.

“Every day we hear about Aussies struggling – people who are fleeing from domestic violence, sick children in hospital separated from their families, rescue groups bursting at the seams with pets who have been surrendered, or people who are homeless and can’t feed themselves or their pets,” she said.

Mastiff Cross Staffy pups Elton and Betsy are in need of a home. Picture: Rohan Kelly

The appeal helps charities deliver community outreach programs, providing much-needed services for people in need, especially during a housing and cost of living crisis.

Over the years the campaign has provided free vaccinations, vet checks and subsidised desexing to low socio-economic communities, reaching out with a helping hand in times of need.

“It’s that funding through the Petbarn Foundation Tree of Hope Appeal that allows us to reach those pet owners right on the edge, so they don’t have to decide if they feed themselves or they feed their pets,” Ms Bloxson said.

Funds donated to the appeal also assist domestic violence pets in crisis programs, ensuring pets are cared for when their owners are escaping abusers.

“People fleeing domestic violence situations are often afraid to leave because they have nowhere safe to go and take their pets,” Ms Bloxson said.

Half of women in violent relationships have reported their animals were also the target of abuse, with 33 per cent choosing to stay with the abuser because of concerns for the welfare of their pets.

Fostering an animal in need is also a great way to help. Picture: RSPCA NSW

More than 200,000 dogs are in shelters. Picture: RSPCA NSW

Aside from donating to the appeal, Aussies can also help by becoming a foster carer for animals currently in rescues.

“It’s a great solution if you can’t have the time to actually look after an animal full-time to become a foster carer and get them out of a shelter,” Ms Bloxson urged.

“Getting the puppies out of a rescue means that they’re going to be well-tempered and used to a loving family by the time they’re ready to be rehomed.”

The Tree of Hope Appeal will be running until December 24.

Originally published as Thousands of puppies require love this Christmas: how you can help