{"id":3619,"date":"2025-06-24T16:01:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-24T06:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theveterinarian.com.au\/?p=3619"},"modified":"2025-07-01T16:04:29","modified_gmt":"2025-07-01T06:04:29","slug":"animal-welfare-volunteers-highlighted","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theveterinarian.com.au\/?p=3619","title":{"rendered":"Animal welfare volunteers highlighted"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

 Companion Animal Network Australia (CANA) is recognising the tireless efforts of volunteers across its member organisations, who provide critical care and support for thousands of companion animals each year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With more than 6m Australians volunteering annually\u2014and 18.3 per cent involved in animal welfare, according to Volunteering Australia\u2014CANA is using the opportunity to celebrate those who walk dogs, foster animals, raise funds, and provide essential behind-the-scenes support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNational Volunteer Week is a time to reflect on the enormous contribution volunteers make\u2014not only to animals in need, but to society and to their own wellbeing,\u201d said CANA CEO Trish Ennis. \u201cEvery dog walked, every cat fostered, and every hour spent helping behind the scenes represents kindness in action.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CANA\u2019s member organisations collectively care for more than 50,000 animals each year. These include Animal Welfare League QLD, Dogs\u2019 Homes of Tasmania, Sydney Dogs and Cats Home, Saving Animals From Euthanasia Inc (WA), and Lort Smith Animal Hospital in Victoria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond the benefit to animals, volunteering has well-documented mental health and social benefits. Studies by Volunteering Australia link it to improved mood, reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety, and stronger community connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe often see retirees and older Australians thrive through their volunteer work with animals,\u201d Ennis said. \u201cVolunteering gives them purpose and companionship, and many tell us that the animals give as much back to them as they give.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Volunteer Impact by the Numbers<\/strong>
According to national statistics, volunteers supporting animal welfare causes contribute an estimated 166 million hours each year\u2014an average of 151 hours per volunteer. Younger Australians (aged 18\u201329) represent 37.8 per cent of volunteers in this sector, while Australians over 55 also make up a significant portion of the volunteer population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get Involved<\/strong>
To learn how you can volunteer or support the work of volunteers through donations, visit www.australiacan.org.au<\/a>. The site offers information on nearby organisations and options for fundraising or giving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Ennis noted: \u201cNot everyone can give time, but everyone can play a part. Donations help fund training, resources, and supplies that keep these life-saving programs going.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The theme of National Volunteer Week 2025 is Connecting Communities<\/em>\u2014a sentiment that reflects the human-animal bond at the heart of every volunteer’s contribution<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

 Companion Animal Network Australia (CANA) is recognising the tireless efforts of volunteers across its member organisations, who provide critical care and support for thousands of companion animals each year. With more than 6m Australians volunteering annually\u2014and 18.3 per cent involved in animal welfare, according to Volunteering Australia\u2014CANA is using the opportunity to celebrate those who […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3620,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[2672,3220,3201,3522,3028,3689,3687,3209,3361,3683,3690,3680,3691,3681,3686,3688,3679,3682,3684,3685],"class_list":["post-3619","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-animalwelfare","tag-australiacan","tag-cana","tag-communitysupport","tag-companionanimals","tag-connectingcommunities","tag-donatetosavelives","tag-fostercare","tag-humananimalbond","tag-kindnessinaction","tag-mentalhealthbenefits","tag-nationalvolunteerweek","tag-olderaustraliansvolunteering","tag-petrescue","tag-supportanimalshelters","tag-volunteerappreciation","tag-volunteeringaustralia","tag-volunteersmakeadifference","tag-walkdogssavelives","tag-youthvolunteers"],"rise-blocks_total_comments":2,"rise-blocks_categories":[{"term_id":5,"name":"News","slug":"news","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":5,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":403,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":5,"category_count":403,"category_description":"","cat_name":"News","category_nicename":"news","category_parent":0}],"rise-blocks_excerpt":" Companion Animal Network Australia (CANA) is recognising the tireless efforts of volunteers across its member organisations, who provide critical care and support for thousands of companion animals each year. With more than 6m Australians volunteering annually\u2014and 18.3 per cent involved in animal welfare, according to Volunteering Australia\u2014CANA is using the opportunity to celebrate those who walk dogs, foster animals, 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