About Us

Friends of the Wingecarribee Animal Shelter (FOWAS)
ABN 68 113 268 537 – CFN 18658

Mission Statement

“We work with Wingecarribee Animal shelter, community, business and Wingecarribee Shire Council (WSC) to enhance the welfare, enrichment and rehoming of displaced animals until their adoption”.

Our Aims

To benefit the welfare of animals prior to rehoming and to assist (WSC) in maintaining a minimal euthanasia policy. We achieve this by providing a safe and caring environment at the Wingecarribee Animal Shelter through the upgrading of facilities, provision of specialist veterinary care/specific dietary needs, dog training and enrichment activities.

To assist with strategies for rehoming
Advertising on relevant media platforms, promoting awareness of the shelter through public education and sponsorship programs leading to successful rehoming.  FOWAS provides transport for animals requiring specialised referrals and foster care.  All our activities are achieved through philanthropic avenues.

• FOWAS CONSTITUTION

If you would like to volunteer with FOWAS please Contact Us

Our History

The Friends of the Wingecarribee Animal Shelter (FOWAS) was started in 2006 in response to the need to advocate for abandoned and surrendered dogs and cats in the local Wingecarribee Shire area.

FOWAS raises funds in a variety of ways to assist Wingecarribee Animal Shelter (WAS) in strategies for the successful rehoming of animals at the Shelter with an average of 400 animals finding their new homes each year.

We have a large registered base of members. Our member volunteers assist at the Shelter to walk the resident dogs and cuddle cats; assist with fundraising events including the FOWAS stall at local monthly markets and the annual Retford Park ‘A Dog’s Day Out’; the pickup and delivery of pet food donations and the monthly delivery and collection of the FOWAS coin donation tins.

FOWAS currently has 170 coin donation tins with local retailers across the Shire. The donation tins provide an opportunity for locals and visitors alike to support the Shelter through coin donations at retail stores in the Southern Highlands and also see the latest news from the Shelter with a monthly poster.

All monies raised through fund raising events and the monthly collection of coin donation tins is used in the ongoing support of animals at the Shelter.

We are the fortunate recipients of pet food donations via local supermarket ‘drop zones’. The local community and retailers provide these vital donations and the food is used for the animals housed at the Shelter.

Through fundraising, FOWAS are able to direct funds for specific needs that may arise for animals at the Shelter including the purchase of speciality food and elective surgery that may be required to improve the quality of life for the animals whilst in care and better their chances of rehoming.

FOWAS funds the employment of a professional dog trainer to assess and work with dogs at the animal shelter by enhancing good behaviour, manners and confidence prior to their transition into new homes. The training and enrichment goes a long way in improving the chances of dogs being rehomed. They may assist individual and families interested in dog adoption in choosing a ‘compatible fit’ for their home, or advise potential adopters while introducing their own dogs to a shelter dog, with the view to becoming a happy family member.

Moving forward in 2020, FOWAS will continue in its work with a primary focus on continued fundraising and sponsorship in conjunction with WSC to build a new Animal Shelter in the Shire.

FOWAS thanks and acknowledges the continuous support from our local community, retailers and sponsors.

Our Committee Members 2019/20

Michele Martin

Vice-President