From everyone at Animal Aid we hope that you all had a safe and Happy New Year. We are very pleased to report that it was one of the quietest years we have seen since moving to Coldstream.

The forecast thunderstorms and obligatory fireworks had Animal Aid staff braced in anticipation of a deluge of dogs pouring in through the pound gates, but they simply didn't arrive. We only had 22 dogs in over the entire New Years week end and only 14 of these were during the 24 hours of the 1^st of January.

A very significant reason for this reduction in intake was that almost all of the dogs were wearing some form of identification, such as registration, name tag and or a microchip. This made it easy to locate their owners and make arrangements for them to be collected before they needed to be brought to the pound.

Could the message finally be getting through? Or has mandatory microchipping played a hand? Perhaps it's a combination of the two, but whatever the reason, we were glad not to have to house these additional dogs at this very busy time of year. It leaves us free to concentrate on what we do best - find new and permanent homes for stray and relinquished companion animals.

This year, like every year, we will play our part in suitably matching people with pets that will complement their lifestyle, and in turn create positive outcomes for as many of the dogs and cats in our care as possible. In order to do this we rely on the support of many individuals and businesses in a variety of ways. If you already contribute to Animal Aid we say thank you - if you don't or know somebody who doesn't, let me suggest a few ways that there are to support and supplement our important work.

Make adoption your first option - Animal Aid have beautiful cats, dogs, puppies, kittens and a variety of pocket pets and small livestock looking for homes. Please don't buy a pet from a pet shop or a back yard breeder and before you go to a reputable breeder please visit a shelter to see if your new family member is there - View our Dogs or Cats for Adoption
Buy food and toys from the shelter or online - by shopping for your pets needs at the shelter or our online shop you will be injecting much needed funds that will subsidise shelter operations
Make a bequest - No matter how small or large, your Bequest can secure their future, we will value every.
Become a monthly donor - a little bit can mean a lot when you make the commitment of regular giving. Find out more here.
Sponsor a pen or project - Sponsorship opportunities are many and varied from helping to cover the cost of housing and animal, paying for special surgeries to contributing to capital works
Tell a friend - Animal Aid uses several avenues to promote our important work but the most powerful of these is word of mouth. Forward this edition of enews to ten of your friends or work colleagues.
Give of yourself - Animal Aid successes rely on a core of dedicated individuals that volunteer their time both at the shelter and off site - learn more about volunteering at Animal Aid here.
Workplace giving - Make Animal Aid your pet charity through workplace giving. - find out more.
Make every dollar count - Making your spending dollar go a little further by shopping at businesses that have community benefits schemes or using the services of the companies that support Animal Aid - view our Corporate Supporters
Become a Fundraising Hero - You can become a hero for Animal Aid by building your own personal fundraising page - http://www.everydayhero.com.au/

So go ahead, help make 2010 our best year yet, we can't do it with out you.