Margie Maccoll
Every year for the past three years the locals at Peregian Beach set aside a day to celebrate their dogs.
Last Sunday Doggy Vibes was the biggest event to date with dogs of all shapes and sizes and their owners taking part in activities, competitions, enjoying the entertainment and investigate the dog market.
Led by Jon and Brett of Peticular, the Peregian Beach Business Association initiative brought together canine services, rescue organisations, dog services and dog product producers.
Jon said Peregian Beach is such a dog-friendly place people enjoy it so much they want to keep doing it and every year businesses get to show their wares.
While the pampered pooches enjoyed their outing Noosa RSPCA and Sunshine Coast Animal Refuge (SCARS) staff were there to let people know there were dogs and cats in need of loving families.
Penny from SCARS said the refuge of 44 years adopted out about 1000 animals a year and had about 110 currently in its care with events like Doggy Vibes important to them to raise awareness of the dogs and cars in need and dispel myths about rescue shelters.
“We get pets of all breeds and sizes. We don’t euthanise any animals. We have a couple of dogs that have been with us for about 300 days,“ she said.
Penny said SCARS costs about $900,000 a year to run with veterinary costs their major expense. SCARS has about 80 animals at its shelter and 30 in foster homes and also assists homeless people with their animals and others in various difficulties to keep their pets at home.
She said times for people were tough financially and adoptions were slow this year.
