Colour Frenzy fun run to have a 'pawsitive' effect on dogs in need

Above: SHAMROQ helps to rehome dogs like Princess. Photo credit: Little Paws Photography,

You can help dogs like Princess (pictured above) find her forever home by taking part in the upcoming Colour Frenzy fun run at Lake Eden in North Lakes on August 27.

Money raised from the event will be donated to the animal rescue group Siberian Husky and Alaskan Malamute Rescue of Queensland Inc, also known as SHAMROQ.

Founded eight years ago by dog lover Elise Pike, SHAMROQ is dedicated to the rescue, care, welfare and rehoming of northern dog breeds such as Akitas, Alaskan Malamutes, Samoyeds, Shiba Inu, Siberian Huskies and crosses of these breeds.

Speaking to Moreton Daily, Elise said she was extremely grateful for the support and donations, as it helps cover many of their bills associated with caring for the dogs.

“We have partnered with the organisers of the Colour Frenzy for the past few years, and in that time, they have helped raise more than $15,000 for us,” Elise said.

“Being a foster-based rescue organisation and privately funded, we don’t get a lot of money from the government.

“We cover all the veterinary fees, so that means every dog that goes to its new home is vaccinated, desexed and treated for heartworm.

“If some of the dogs have more complex health issues like broken limbs, we cover the cost of that too before they are rehomed.

“Sometimes we may also have to put the dog in a kennel if we don’t have a suitable foster carer, and some of the dogs may require training, which we also take care of.

“Then there are also the costs associated with transporting the dogs.”

Photo credit: Little Paws Photography

Giving dogs a second chance at love 

Because SHAMROQ is a foster-based rescue organisation they don’t have a shelter and must rely on dedicated foster carers to help care for the dogs.

“All of the pounds and shelters across Queensland know who we are and let us know when they have northern artic dog breeds come in,” Elise said.

“These dogs are then cared for by our foster carers who know how to look after these types of breeds because they can be quite complex.

“For example, huskies are very good at escaping so the house they go to must have six-foot-high fences.

“They were bred to pull sleds, so naturally they have a lot of energy and need a lot of mental and physical stimulation to keep them from getting bored.

"All the northern dog breeds are very lovely though, and we are glad to see them go off to their new homes."

Elise is encouraging people to register for the upcoming Colour Frenzy, and will also be on site to say hello to people wanting to find out more information about SHAMROQ.

“Colour Frenzy is a lot of fun and everyone has a great time so I would recommend heading along,” she said.

“We will have a stall set up at the event and will be telling people more about what we do and how they can help.”

If you would like to know more about SHAMROQ, visit their website.

Register for Colour Frenzy

This will be the fifth year Colour Frenzy has been held in the region, with the event being held at Lake Eden on Saturday, August 27.

This month’s event will also feature a little something extra – glow in the dark powder that will light up under special UV lights.

There will also be a foam station with a river of bubbles, two new obstacles stations with inflatables, games, markets, food vans, music and more!

The event will open at 5pm with the fun run beginning at 6pm.

Participants can choose to complete one, two or three laps, with three laps equating to 5km.

Tickets to the North Lakes event are $39.50 for adults, $17.50 for kids aged between 5-12, and $5 for children under 5. A booking fee also applies.

Fore more details and to register, visit the Colour Frenzy website.