For over 13 years, Nicole Harrison and Anne McNaughton have been a beacon of hope for pet owners in the Illawarra region, tirelessly working to prevent beloved animals from becoming permanent strays. Through their volunteer-run initiative, the Lost and Found Pets Illawarra Inc. Facebook group, they have facilitated countless reunions, becoming the first point of contact for anyone reporting lost dogs in Illawarra and other missing or found pets. Established in 2011, the group boasts a substantial membership exceeding 47,000, a testament to its vital role in the community. Backed by a dedicated team of three moderators – Scott, Janet, and Sue – Nicole and Anne leverage their diverse skills to manage the continuous flow of information and facilitate successful outcomes.
The Driving Force Behind the Group
Anne McNaughton, who emigrated from North East England to Australia in 1998, channels her lifelong passion for animals into her work with the group, sharing her home with three Miniature Schnauzer dogs. Nicole Harrison, originally from Sydney, settled permanently in the Illawarra in 2007 after spending time in the area for work. Her personal interests include visiting animal sanctuaries and rescues, photography, swimming, and fostering kittens, alongside cherishing moments with her family and friends.
Both Nicole and Anne draw upon extensive professional backgrounds to navigate the complexities of running the group. Anne, a former territory manager, honed valuable customer service, liaison, and problem-solving skills. She notes, “I worked for a large distributor of food and beverages that involved a huge amount of customer service and liaison and kept up my problem-solving and people skills, which are very necessary when dealing with people who are upset and have lost or found pets.” Nicole’s varied roles, including customer service, warehouse management, and administration, equipped her with strong multitasking abilities and the capacity to assist people from diverse backgrounds – skills she finds indispensable in her administrative duties for the group.
How Lost and Found Pets Illawarra Helps
The group offers a comprehensive suite of services aimed at bringing lost pets back to their families. Nicole highlights the collective effort: “We have an amazing group who work together to reunite, scan, transport and hold lost pets so that they do not end up injured, permanently lost or in pounds.” This volunteer network is crucial to their success.
One of the most significant challenges they encounter is the lack of microchipping, especially for outdoor cats. Nicole stresses the importance of this simple step. “One of the biggest challenges I find is people not microchipping their pets, especially outdoor cats,” she explains. “I know there are financial constraints for some people, but it really is the easiest way to get your lost pet home safely.” Furthermore, the group places a strong emphasis on verification to ensure pets are returned to their rightful owners. “We fact check as much as we can and we always advise anyone who finds an animal to get proof of ownership before handing them over to anyone claiming to be the owner,” Nicole adds.
Nicole Harrison and Anne McNaughton, founders of the group helping reunite lost dogs and pets in Illawarra.
Capitalizing on the community’s trust and support, the group has also expanded its efforts into rescuing and rehoming animals. Anne mentions their dedicated Lost and Found Rescue page and her personal involvement in fostering small dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens.
The commitment required to run such a large and active group is substantial. Together, Nicole and Anne dedicate upwards of 50 hours each week to administrative tasks, monitoring posts, coordinating transport and care for lost pets, writing and scheduling updates, and responding to community members’ messages.
Anne’s motivation stems from the desire to reunite owners and pets and to prevent animals from ending up in pounds, saving owners from potential fines. She finds immense satisfaction in the reunions. “Although I don’t do this for thanks, the obvious relief of the elderly man or lady who are missing their companion, or the family who have lost their beloved pet is a reward in itself,” she shares.
Pets go missing daily in the Illawarra. While the number of volunteers willing to assist has grown, Nicole and Anne believe more support is needed. They strongly encourage all pet owners in the region to join their group.
Maintaining Focus and Offering Additional Resources
To keep the main group’s purpose clear and effective, posts are strictly limited to lost and found pets in Illawarra. Content deemed negative, such as complaints about vets or other organisations, rehoming requests, random questions, abuse, bullying, and conflict, is not permitted. Automatic restrictions are in place to filter out inappropriate posts, ensuring the focus remains on reunification.
Recognizing the community’s need for broader pet-related discussions, Nicole initiated another Facebook group: Illawarra Pet Q&A. “We’ve created another Facebook group, Illawarra Pet Q&A for any pet-related questions, so that people had a place to post instead of our group,” Nicole explains. [internal_links]
Essential Tips for Illawarra Pet Owners
Nicole offers six crucial tips to help keep your pet safe and increase the chances of a swift return if they do wander off:
- Update Microchip Details: Ensure your pet’s microchip information is current.
- Use Collars and Tags: Place a collar with an identification tag on pets that can safely wear one.
- Secure Your Yard: Regularly check and maintain your property’s fencing and boundaries.
- Install Gate Locks: Use padlocks or secure latches on gates to prevent accidental escapes.
- Fix Holes and Loose Palings: Promptly repair any damage to fences or enclosures.
- Bring Pets Inside: During storms or fireworks, bring pets indoors where they feel safe and are secure.
By following these simple steps and utilizing valuable community resources like Lost and Found Pets Illawarra Inc., owners can significantly reduce the risks associated with lost dogs in Illawarra and other missing animals, ensuring more happy reunions.
