THERE’S not much room at the inn. If you swing open the doggie doors at the Animal Welfare League Queensland’s Coombabah shelter you’ll be confronted with a heart-tugging chorus – “pick me, pick me”.
Noses press against the wire and tails thump a frantic tattoo on the concrete as exuberant occupants compete for attention.
Our 12 Strays of Christmas are all asking Santa Paws for the same thing: a loving home for the holidays.
AWLQ state rehoming manager Melinda Phipps said by supporting the shelter by adopting, fostering or donating Gold Coasters were giving the gift of hope to pets in need.
“This year we’ve experienced isolation and how difficult it can feel when we’re forced to be apart,” she said.
“Pets without somewhere to call home are also feeling this loneliness and sense of isolation – but they don’t understand why their lives have been turned upside down.
“And while AWLQ will always be here for these animals, we cannot do this without the generous support of our community.
“If you are in a position to give, please know that you will be helping us to provide homeless pets with a safe haven while they’re waiting for their new home.”
BINDI
Alaskan malamute x German shepherd
Female, 9 months, $850
Bindi is the perfect combination of a malamute and German shepherd. With the wits of both breeds combined, it’s important she goes to a home that has experience with her breeds. While she has a lot of growing to do, she has a very sweet and loving nature.
SARGE
Staffordshire bull terrier mix
Male, 9 years, $150
Sarge is the ultimate all-rounder best mate. He has a fun, happy-go-lucky personality and absolutely loves a good game of fetch. He loves humans so much he would love to have them all to himself as the sole dog in the household.
KIMBA
Domestic short hair
Female, 2 years, $120
Kimba is a bundle of joy who adores head butting and cuddling her people. She is OK with other cats too, if properly introduced. This little tortoiseshell is a neat freak, so it would be amazing if her new family was appreciative of tidiness.
MALFOY
Domestic short hair
Male, 8 years, $50
Malfoy is an older gentleman looking for a serious relationship. He is well past the age of wanting to play games, so come and see him if you’re looking for true love and you have a nice calm and safe home to offer. In exchange he’ll be your faithful friend.
NICKEL
Domestic short hair
Male, 4 years, $120
Nickel is a handsome boy looking for love in a quiet household that will embrace his independent nature and preference for feline personal space. Although Oscar loves company, he enjoys keeping his paws on the floor, roaming around the home for interest’s sake and then settling somewhere snug that’s close to his people.
RUBY
Domestic short hair
Female, 6 years, $120
Not everyone is looking for one of those “pat me, pat me, pat me!” lap cats. Some might enjoy a feline with sass and cattitude. Ruby is what you might call a “two-pat cat”. She still adores being adored, but prefers her independence. She loves to play with toys, but doesn’t like to share them with kids, so she’d be better bunking with grown-ups only.
COOLIO
German shepherd x husky
Male, 8 months, $850
Not only is Coolio the most handsome boy in the shelter, he has the personality to match. He’d love to have a doggie pal to hang out with while the humans are away at school or work, so bring any potential BFFs along to the shelter for a meet and greet to see if they hit it off.
ANGUS
Irish wolfhound
Male, 8 years, $150
Angus is a gentle giant where he can lounge around with his humans and soak up all of the necessary attention. He is a very tidy fellow and absolutely loves the idea of being inside with the crew. He would be an excellent family pet as he is gentle as can be, he doesn’t jump up, he’s toilet trained and very eager to please (with a few yummy rewards, of course).
DOZER
Rottweiler
Male, 8 years, $450
Dozer is one good-looking, chunky lad! He came to AWLQ after finding himself lost and no one came to find him. He loves to share but he’d much rather be your only furry friend so he can hog the snuggles.
DR SEUSS
German shepherd
Male, 2 years, $1500
Dr Seuss is a cool, calm and collected boy who is looking for a home with experience with his breed so he can get the most out of the long life he has ahead of him – filled with plenty of fun and games. He would make an excellent family dog and enjoys the company of other calm doggie pals, so bring in any potential siblings you may have at home to the shelter to meet him.
FULL DIGITAL ACCESS: JUST $5 A MONTH FOR THE FIRST THREE MONTHS
ARCHER
Australian kelpie cross
Male, 9 weeks old, $850
Do you have room under the tree for a present for Archer? The bright-as-a-button Australian kelpie cross is looking for a family to introduce him to his first ever Christmas.
AMALIA
Australian kelpie cross
Female, 9 weeks, $850
This little pocket rocket epitomises everything that is so wonderful about puppies. Amalia would love a home of her own for the holidays, so she can experience her first Christmas as it’s meant to be, surrounded by a loving family.
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