The Cape Animal Protection Shelter volunteers are determined to get dogs out of the shelter and into their forever homes. Photo: Facebook.
With vet bills for their dogs higher than ever, including $10,000 worth of heartworm disease to treat, the Cape Animal Protection Shelter (CAPS) is looking to ramp up its fundraising and adoption efforts this year after an at-capacity festive season.
Despite the volunteers’ busy schedules, the CAPS team is determined to reach out, raise money, and connect their animals with a forever home.
CAPS vice-president Rebecca Roberts said this year, the goal was to plan all events at the beginning of the year, and get involved in more community events.
“Because we’re volunteer-based and most of our crew work full time, event planning and things like that can get a bit last-minute, so we’re hoping to improve that,” she said.
“We have our adoption days planned out and, right now, we’re trying to organise a collaboration with one of the restaurants for Valentine’s Day.
“We also want to get involved in the Weipa Fishing Classic; it’s a huge event, so it’d be great to get a stall in and get eyes on us.”
Last year, the CAPS crew raised over $300 with a Christmas pet photoshoot, and after its success, they are looking to put on more holiday-themed photo days for Weipa families.
CAPS president Shayna Reeves, who joined in on the photoshoot fun with her four dogs, said it was an engaging event and a great way for the community to get involved.
“Seeing the support and the turnout and the festivities that people brought with their pets was amazing – I couldn’t have asked for a better day,” she said.
“It’s definitely something that we’ll keep going with, because after the support and feedback we received, I think everyone agreed that it was a great event to run.”
“[Last year], we did Tropical Christmas, so each year, we’ll look at doing a different theme and hopefully do it up a bit more.”
Ms Reeves said the photoshoot, which they were also looking to do for Easter and Halloween this year, was a wonderful opportunity to see ex-CAPS animals that had been adopted.
“It was great to see how they’ve flourished and come out of their shells, and it’s funny, because I do feel like they remember you,” she said.
CAPS president Shayna Reeves got festive at last year’s successful Christmas pet photoshoot and is urging other Weipa dog owners to join in on the fun for a good cause in 2025. Photo: Supplied.
