Hunter Animal Rescue - Dogs and Cats in Newcastle and the Hunter Region

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.

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

2010 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.

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.

HAR's Treasurer Lisa Egan comes from a background of 12 years accounting experience ranging from small to large businesses. She is responsible for all financial matters of the organization. Collection of receivables, payments of creditors and cash flow management are the main priorities for the Treasurer.

Achievements since arriving include implementation of MYOB accounting and improvements in the corporate governance of HAR. Current priorities include formalizing internal controls and processes to not only ensure the ongoing viability of HAR but to assist HAR to take advantage of possible opportunities for growth and expansion of our service delivery.

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.

Registrar - Adeline Bourjon
bourjona@hotmail.com

IT Manager - Jave Ivanovski
itmanager@hunteranimalrescue.com.au
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.

Animal Committee Members

Kurri Kurri Pound Coordinator - Briana Thompson
0401282301 - dmahs@hotmail.com
As the Kurri Kurri Pound Coordinator Briana is responsible for compiling the Pound lists to be sent out to foster carers.

Head Area Coordinator - Jessie Ansons
headac@hunteranimalrescue.com.au
As the Head Area Coordinator Jessie is responsible for coordinating the Local Area Coordinators and dealing with issues of foster carers.

Wyong Pound Coordinator - Rhianna Gannon
0424393588 - wyongpoundcoordinator@hunteranimalrescue.com.au
As the Wyong Pound Coordinator Rhianna is responsible for animals leaving the Wyong Pound and fosters carers in the surrounding area.