A new destiny: Pound puppy finds great home and national fame
Jack was probably saved from an untimely death last year when Belinda Cameron chose a pet dog from Hawkesbury City Council’s Companion Animal Shelter. Not only does he now have a happy home but, after winning a national competition, he has reached celebrity status.
Not quite a puppy at three years old and a happy go lucky chap, the Rhodesian Ridgeback cross had no qualms about it when his owner decided to enter him into a national anti-parasite (fleas, worms, ear mites) product competition, even when she dressed him as Dame Edna Everage.
Now that the public have voted him out of almost 13,000 dogs, Jack will make his fame through all kinds of national promotions.
Animal Shelter staff recently welcomed Jack back as a rising star – with his owner bringing him over to celebrate.
With marketing in her blood as a former Global Brand manager, Belinda set up a campaign to promote him for the competition, a campaign that quickly grew a life of its own, with around 3000 photos taken of him and loaded up on to websites in the bid to win.
“I just entered the competition for interest and because I think he’s such a great dog. It was a lot of work but my friends and family really wanted to see him win – I’ve had wonderful support from them and it’s been a fun-filled time,” Belinda said.
“He is already becoming well-known around Australia after the three-month long competition – it was like an electoral campaign for a dog!”
Belinda is thrilled that Jack will be a superstar and equally delighted that she went to the Animal Shelter last year and found Jack.
“I’d spent years overseas without a dog and out of the blue I knew I wanted to go to the pound and find a big dog,” Belinda said.
“When I saw him, Jack was quiet and thoughtful. It was to be his last hour of his last day at the pound before being euthanised. He was beautiful and he’s been just right for me ever since. We also took a cat home.”
Going to the Animal Shelter spurred Belinda on to help save more dogs, networking with people to find homes of more dogs and cats.
“I’m so impressed with the staff at the pound,” Belinda said.
“They are pleasant helpful and understanding. It all started there. It also opened my mind to how so many dogs and cats need to be saved. At first Jack would cringe to the ground and run away and he was severely emaciated. But he’s come miles since then. He has the company of our other pets and he sleeps next to me at night. He’s brought so much happiness to us and even strangers. He has a home that he loves, and he feels safe here, which it shows on his face.
“Why do people abandon their dogs? Jack has a buoyant personality, a great temperament and he’s my friend. These animals offer unconditional love and they deserve to be cared for and not abandoned or euthanised. I think it comes down to the values that are instilled in families about looking after animals from the start. It’s about respect for life whether it’s animals or humans.”
Belinda has since helped save many cats and dogs by finding new homes for them, whether it is through her corporate contacts, friends of relatives or Facebook friends and contacts.
Manager, Regulatory Services, Garry Baldry said: “Jack is great dog and it’s good to see that animals can not only be rescued by local residents but even achieve great stardom”.
“I’d also like to praise our staff and volunteers on their care and more than competent animal handling skills, and for doing such a consistently good job at the Shelter,” he said.
“I’d like to thank everyone who adopts cats and dogs from the Shelter and also to encourage owners to be responsible by keeping their cats and dogs within their properties, and having them desexed and microchipped. For anyone who still needs to microchip an old dog or a new puppy or cat, we will a have a cheap chip day on 14 November 2009. Please register with the Shelter on (02) 4560 4644 if you are keen to come along for a $15 pet microchip.”
The Hawkesbury Companion Animal Shelter is located at 10 Mulgrave Road, Mulgrave NSW 2756.
Hours: Monday to Friday: 9 - 12.30pm and 2 - 4.30pm
Saturday: 9.30am - 11.30am
Sunday: 7am - 9am
Phone: (02) 4560 4644 / Fax: (02) 4577 6604
