Valentine’s Day is one where lovers paws for breakfast for a cause in Wollongong every year.
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More than 3500 did that on Sunday at Wave FM’s 39th annual Breakfast at the Beach.
And it was a case of puppy love all round for dogs from the pound when RSPCA volunteers came along with some of those looking for a new home.
The RSPCA is the recipient of all funds raised this year and shelter manager Judith Wright was ecstatic with the response.
She and volunteers also hoped some of the 3500 people might see a dog they like and be willing to show them the love they need to start a new life.
“Wave FM and the community are supporting us so we are here to support them,” Ms Wright said.
“RSPCA is a registered charity and we get very limited government funding so we rely heavily on fundraising and donations..so anything like this is just brilliant for us to be able to assist all these animals.”
The demand is still high and the needs are changing which means new ways of helping animals.
“We have community programs such as our Safe Beds for Pets where women in domestic violence..if they have to leave a violent situation...we can house their animals for them while they are looking for a home,” she said.
Another program cares for pets of older people going into hospital.
“As a society we are growing and trying to help people as well with these programs,” Ms Wright said.
“The need is always going to be there for people who unfortunately can’t keep their animals. That is what we are there for. We have an open door policy. We never refuse any animal.”
Ms Wright said all the dogs they brought to North Beach for the breakfast on Sunday were from the shelter and they were are all available for adoption.
“Our wonderful volunteers came to walk them around. It will be fantastic if people see them and want to adopt one. All these volunteers come for four hours or one whole day each week and work at the shelter. They walk with the animals, feed them and groom them. Without them we wouldn’t be able to do all that we can with the animals with socialisation and training and things like that. They are fantastic.”
Wave FM station manager Tony Williams said the response from the community was fantastic on Sunday and was bigger than last year when 3500 people attended.
Dot Hennessy and Rod Oxley said the Rotary Club of Wollongong has supported the event for all 39 years and all the clubs in the Nothern Illawarra were now involved in one of the biggest community events of the year.
