- ADOPT A PET - BECOME A FOSTER CARER - VOLUNTEER - DONATE - LOST PETS - PRIVATE SURRENDERS - CONTACT HAR -
Hunter Animal Rescue is a not-for-profit organisation run by volunteers who dedicate their time to finding new homes for abandoned pets facing euthanasia. All animals are kept in foster carer homes where they experience a good quality of life. The carers also get a good idea of a dog or cat's personality and suitability for different homes.
We were formed by a small group of self-funded volunteers. Originally, we were foster carers for the PAWS rescue group. Fostering animals from various Sydney pounds and transporting them up to Newcastle to look after them till they found their new homes.
It became apparent after a while that there are many animals in our own backyard (the Lower Hunter) that needed our help, more then what the Sydney animals did as there are so many rescue groups in Sydney and none up here!. So Hunter Animal Rescue was formed, and now we foster Dogs and Cats from various lower hunter pounds and occasionally from Sydney pounds.
In November 2004, Hunter Animal Rescue became an Incorporated Not-For-Profit Association.
In January 2009, Hunter Animal Rescue officially gained Charity status. All donations over $2 are now tax deductable.
- We are completely run by volunteers who spend many hours trying to save the lives of pound animals.
- We have helped reduce the amount of dogs and cats put to sleep in some pounds by 50%
- We have approx 90 members.
- We work closely with Muswellbrook, Port Stephens, Kurri Kurri and Lakehaven Animal Care Facilities to reduce the number of animals euthanised in these facilities.
- We have rehomed almost 1000 pets.
What Is Fostering ?
Fostering is where instead of an animal being put-to-sleep when their allotted time is up at a pound, they get released to a home, where they have a backyard to run around and someone to look after them until their forever home can be found. These carers are all volunteers who provide food, shelter and most of all love while the search is on for it's forever home. Foster Carers are usually animal lovers who, for various reason, are unable to have another pet permanently. We are always in need of new foster carers, the more carers we have, the more animals that can be saved. If you are interested in becoming a carer or helping out in any way, please contact our animal co-ordinator.
How do we know about Animals in Need?
Most of the time our co-ordinator is contacted by a pound who has an animal who they think would be a great pet and do not want to put down. Our co-ordinator then arranges for a carer to be found and for the dog to be picked up and all paper work and vet checks arranged.
Word of mouth is another way we find out about animals in need. Most animals surrendered to us are dearly beloved family pets, who for one reason or another, their families are unable to continue looking after them. They don't want to take their pet to the pound, in case a home can't be found in time, and the animal is put to sleep. When you adopt a fostered animal you are able to get a better understanding of the animal's personality and quirks as they have been in care and not locked up in a cage with other animals annoying them. For example, if the Dog is good with children, cats and other animals; are they shy or active; do they have any quirky behaviours; or are they a indoors/outdoors pet.
Where does the adoption fee go?
The adoption fee reimburses HAR for the veterinary costs incurred by rescuing an animal and making it ready to be rehomed.
These include microchipping, desexing, vaccinations, worming, flea/tick control (if needed) and life-time registration for puppies, dogs and cats over 6 months.
Becoming a member
HAR welcomes all new members, this enables you to become a foster carer or a volunteer and be up to date with HAR issues and to have your say. To join click here
2011 Committee Members
As all committee position holders work during office hours it is best to contact by Text or SMS during this time.
Messages and emails are checked regularly.
Executive Committee Members
President - Jaimie Abbott
The President is the primary sponsor and initiator of HAR's strategic planning effort. Jaimie provides leadership, direction and support to the Executive Committee and organisation to ensure it functions effectively. The President supervises, directs and controls the business and the officers of the association.
Vice President - Vacant position
(Adeline Bourjon now acting)
The Vice President provides support to the President and acts as leader in the decision-making process and other functions of HAR's operations in the President's absence.
Secretary - Belinda Leskiw
HR Training Officer - Kiera Parr
Public Officer - Robin Evans
The IT Manager's role is to design, maintain and update the Hunter Animal Rescue website, the Caspio database and any Hunter Animal Rescue associated websites.
Head Animal Coordinator - Adeline Bourjon
Marketing & Promotions - Alisha Forbes
Alisha organises all of HAR's promotional and fundraising drives. In 2011 HAR are selling 2011 Calendars and adding Lanyards, T-Shirts and Magnets to our already extensive range of fundraising merchandise. Alisha regularly organises Bunnings BBQs and Westfield Kotara stalls. As volunteers we are always grateful and in dire need for more helpers at these events please contact Alisha if you can help out. Alisha is also an active puppy and dog carer.
Animal Committee Members
Head Animal Coordinator - Adeline Bourjon
Head Carer Coordinator - Donna Hardy
Head Pound Coordinator - Briana Thompson
As the Head Pound Coordinator Briana is responsible for compiling the Pound lists to be sent out to foster carers.
Head Animal Registrar - Sara Cherniayeff
The Registrar is responsible for keeping records of all
dogs. All details are entered on the HAR database which includes where
they came from and the date they came into care. Microchip details, DOB
and breeding, carers details and new owner details and desexing
information. Sara ensures that Change of Owner and
Lifetime Registration is received and submitted to council and that
payment is received when dogs are adopted and follows up on all foster
dogs desexing.
Animal Committee Secretary - Katherine Geczy
Pound Coordinators
Head Pound Coordinator - Briana Thompson
As the Head Pound Coordinator Briana is responsible for compiling the Pound lists to be sent out to foster carers.
Singleton Pound Coordinator - Penny Nowland-Geldard
As
the Singleton Pound Coordinator Penny is responsible for animals leaving
the Singleton Pound and fosters carers in the surrounding area.
Wyong Pound Coordinator - Samantha Bowness
As the Wyong Pound Coordinator Samantha is responsible for animals leaving
the Wyong Pound and fosters carers in the surrounding area.
Muswellbrook Pound Coordinator - Carmen Dyer
As
the Muswellbrook Pound Coordinator Carmen is responsible for animals leaving
the Muswellbrook Pound and fosters carers in the surrounding area.