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This newsletter is produced by volunteers. 4 Paws is a non-profit organisation providing refuge for homeless dogs and cats on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.
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Volunteer Bev Fleming and her foster Chihuahua Timmy. Photo by Wendi Beutel
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Hello friend:
Welcome to our autumn issue where we interview volunteer extraordinaire Bev Fleming, whose energetic commitment to homeless animals has endured almost a decade.
Congratulations to our President Julie Penlington who was named Sunshine Coast Citizen of the Year in an awards ceremony at Woombye in January. Julie has worked tirelessly for more than a decade rescuing and re-homing cats and dogs. To read a recent article about Julie in the Sunshine Coast Daily, click here.
And finally, a quote from Gandhi: "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
Helen Lester
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Bev gives her 'all' for homeless 4 Paws pets
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Top: Even a torrential downpour at Fishermans Road Market can't crush Bev's volunteering spirit. Left: Bev and Tim with Timmy. Right: Bev coordinates the 4 Paws stall with flair.
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Torrential downpours and even broken bones can’t keep committed volunteer Bev Fleming from her post at the 4 Paws fundraising stall. Brimming with energy at 77, Bev is committed to raising funds to re-home dogs and cats on the Sunshine Coast, aided by her husband Tim.
The couple is devoted to their 17-year-old 4 Paws permanent foster Chihuahua Timmy. Yes, Timmy! More on his name later …
Bev became a 4 Paws volunteer nine years ago to make a meaningful community contribution. “I’d have been happy putting stamps on envelopes,’ she says. However, this tireless volunteer refuses to do things in half measures. Now Vice President of 4 Paws, Bev hosts committee meetings in her Buderim home and co-ordinates the 4 Paws stalls. She and Tim also collect donated pet food from Nambour supermarkets.
Before moving to Buderim, the couple ran a pineapple and avocado farm for 41 years at Woombye. It was there Bev met 4 Paws President Julie Penlington, who owned the local pharmacy with her husband Paul. After Bev’s mother died, Bev asked Julie if she needed help with her animal charity.
Four Paws had only been going 18 months when Bev attended her first meeting. She sat in the background and listened because she didn’t know the local animal rescue terminology. “I didn’t even know what SCARS [Sippy Creek Animal Rescue] was.”
Bev first became a volunteer at the Kawana Stall – a three-day a month commitment for 10 months of the year. She and Tim also volunteered at sausage sizzle fundraisers.
Soon, Bev took on another responsibility. “I took over the job of organising the stall – collecting items to sell, pricing, doing the volunteer roster, and setting up with stalls with Tim.” The stall sells bric-a-brac, craftwork and pet-oriented gifts. “It’s a lot of work. People don’t realise.”
“I liked meeting people and feeling I was doing something to help Julie raise funds so she could manage the charity to help dogs and cats find homes.”
It wasn’t long before Bev helped a homeless dog find a very loving home – hers!
That was seven years ago. An acquaintance asked Bev for help to re-home a sick relative’s dogs. A family member took one dog and 4 Paws agreed to find a home for the other.
“He came to us on the Saturday and he never left. He was 10 when we got him as a permanent foster. He had very bad arthritis in his hindquarters.” Timmy has injections each month for his arthritis as well as pain medication.
Sociable Timmy is a favourite at the couple’s retirement village. He goes everywhere with them, including caravanning holidays. “He’s even been to funerals and weddings,” Bev says. She pushes Timmy in a pram for a kilometre each afternoon. “He lives for it. He screams he is so excited.”
Bev says people often laugh when told her husband is Tim and her dog is called Timmy. “They think we lack imagination,” she says. “He came to us aged 10 with the name ‘Timmy’ and I didn’t want to change it. We both said that with that name it was meant to be.”
Tim will be 79 this year and needs a hip replacement. If he’s to keep up with Bev, he won’t get much downtime after his surgery. Bev kept running the stall with both bones in her wrist broken and her arm in a sling.
“4 Paws gives me the satisfaction that I’ve done something good in the community, particularly with animals. I give it my all.”
Do you have what to takes to be a 4 Paws volunteer? If you can help, please email Julie: 4paws@4pawsanimalrescue.org.au
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To support the work of 4 Paws, click on the red Donate link below to take you to our 4 Paws donation page.
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Bella: 5 months, Maltese Cross, female
Bella is full of beans and loves to play. Because she is still a pup, she will need ongoing basic manners training. She is best suited to a home without small children. If you are interested in adopting Bella and would like to meet her, please contact us.
Adoption fee: $550
Click here to go to the adoption process page on the 4 Paws website.
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Zora: approx 12 years, female
It's official! Zora may well be the friendliest cat we've met. Left unclaimed at the Pound with a large tumour on her head, life looked grim for this elderly girl until 4 Paws took her into its care. Zora's tumour was removed and she settled easily into life at our cattery, enjoying the companionship of other cats and plenty of cuddles from our volunteers. She's so affectionate and keen to be close to you it was pretty hard getting her to sit by herself to have her photo taken. Zora's required monthly sponsorship is $40 per month - contact us if you'd like to sponsor her.
To learn more about sponsoring a Permanent Resident, please click here.
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Meet a 4 Paws Foster Carer
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4 Paws Tales regularly interviews the wonderful volunteers who enable 4 Paws to do its important work. This issue we focus on Jean Conisbee, whose dedication makes her a valued member of 4 Paws.
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Carer: Jean Conisbee, 4 Paws foster carer for 3 years
Cat in care: Sookie, 14 years. An affectionate girl who suffers from chronic bronchitis. Sookie requires ongoing medication and health checks.
Q: How and why did you become a foster carer?
Jean: I'm retired and have always loved cats in particular! I saw the need through 4 Paws for foster carers for older cats. I got in touch and Julie (President) welcomed me into the 4 Paws family!
Q: What’s the best thing about fostering?
Jean: The total support of the 4 Paws organisation with sympathetic advice and medical treatment. I've had such amazing pleasure in caring for Sookie, who is a real character and brings me much joy !
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4 Paws Permanent Residents are elderly pets that have some to us, or animals abandoned or surrendered with serious health issues. These dogs and cats will remain in the care of 4 Paws, in the loving homes of experienced foster carers, until the end of their days. In order to meet the ongoing veterinary costs to care for these special pets, 4 Paws asks businesses, social clubs, sports groups, schools, and pet-loving individuals to sponsor a Permanent Resident.
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Pets available for adoption
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Click on the photo of a pet below to read more about them on the 4 Paws website adoption process page. To see other pets available for adoption click here to go to our website. Navigate to the pages for cat and dog adoptions.
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Ruby: 7 years, Poodle, female
Monty: 7 years, Chihuahua, male
Sweet Ruby and Monty are loyal and loving companions. They must be rehomed together.
Adoption fee: $595 pair
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Oscar and Gus: 7 years, Lhasa Apso Cross, male
These affectionate brothers are calm and quiet and need to be rehomed together. They enjoy daily walks and are friendly with other dogs.
Adoption fee: $695 pair
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Zara: 4 years, Domestic Long-Haired Cat, female
This kind, affectionate girl had a rocky start to life and now needs a loving forever home.
Adoption fee: $140
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Pixie: 3 years, female
Pixie is super friendly.
Her favourite things:
1. Playing 'Cat Woman'
2. Cuddling
She loves people and is ok with other cats.
Adoption fee: $140
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Adoption Tally 2016
Pets adopted since the start of the year: Dogs: 13 Cats: 3
Pets currently in the care of 4 Paws: Dogs: 74 Cats: 52
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From Julie Penlington
It was a beautiful, balmy evening for the inaugural Australian FurBall on the Beach in March. FurBalls are held all over the world raising funds for rescue animals. One hundred and fifty people came to Cotton Tree Park to enjoy five-star food and music, and to raise money for 4 Paws and Sippy Creek Animal Rescue.
There were auction prizes worth more than $20,000. A big thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make FurBall possible, including our major sponsors Nicklin Way Veterinary Surgery, Portable Creations Mobile Marketing, Maroochy RSL, South East Events, Whisper Images and Queensland Signature Events. I felt very honoured to be named Citizen of the Year in the Sunshine Coast Australia Day Awards in January. Mayor Mark Jamieson presented the award at a ceremony in Woombye. The award was due in part to my volunteer work with 4 Paws. I want to acknowledge all the 4 Paws volunteers and supporters who have enabled me to do this work rescuing and re-homing cats and dogs on the Sunshine Coast. I could not do what I do without your wonderful support and encouragement.
- Julie Penlington 4paws@4pawsanimalrescue.org.au
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4 Paws Sausage Sizzle
Caloundra Bunnings, 4th Tuesday of each month
4 Paws Kawana Stall
June 13,14
July 18,19
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The Canvas Factory offers a fabulous way to get your favourite pooch or cat photos printed on stylish canvas and contribute to 4 Paws at the same time. By visiting the online store through this special 4 Paws link, profits from any purchase made go directly to 4 Paws. Win win!
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Have you recently moved or changed your contact details? If so, please let Cass our Secretary know by emailing her at secretary4paws@gmail.com
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