Animal shelter celebrates 50 years

Volunteers from Peninsula Animal Aid are celebrating a happy ‘tail’ of their own by marking 50 years of helping animals in need.

Since its doors first opened in 1971, volunteers have helped thousands of stray and abandoned animals find loving homes, as well as reunite lost pets with their families.

Peninsula Animal Aid (PAA) President Anne Denton says the not-for-profit organisation is vital to the Redcliffe community.

“As an organisation, and a no-kill shelter, we offer a very valuable service to our community by rescuing animals in need and finding them a home where they will be well cared for and loved for the rest of their lives,” she says.

From humble beginnings 

In the beginning, PAA went from working out of foster homes to having its own shelter in 1974. Betty and Lawrie Preston were considered the founders of the organisation.

As volunteers began to help more animals, they outgrew their original Huntington St premises in Clontarf, prompting the then Redcliffe City Council to lease a new building at Duffield Rd, where the organisation has been since 1997.

As a not-for-profit charity, PAA relies heavily on the generosity of people and businesses to keep its doors open. All shelter building maintenance, vet, medical, food and other costs are met solely by PAA through sponsorships, donations, fundraising and bequests.

Many vets also assist by reducing their fees when appointments are needed.

Thankful for their team

Anne says the PAA would be lost without its dedicated team of volunteers.

“We wouldn’t be able to do all the good work we achieve without our wonderful group of volunteers,” she says.

“We are extremely grateful for the volunteers who work in the office, the kennel and cattery, who give up their own time to care for the animals.

“We also have a team of volunteers who come in on Saturday morning to assist with the running of the hydrobath.

“For some of our volunteers, their commitment is 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week, and without their commitment, we would not be able to survive as an animal rescue.”

How you can help

There are many ways the community can help PAA – volunteering, making a donation, becoming a sponsor or foster carer, supporting its hydrobath and other events, providing much-needed items or leaving bequest in your will.

Peninsula Animal Aid is at 313 Duffield Rd, Clontarf. Visit peninsulaanimalaid.com.au