Wednesday, 8 March 2023

 Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (09:52): Edgar’s Mission is a sanctuary for farm animals in Lancefield, Northern Victoria. It is here that over 400 rescued animals experience respect, love and basic rights like shelter for the first time in their lives. The fluffy, the feathered and the woolly have all been rescued from neglect, each with their own individual story of resilience and of spirit.

Last week the team at Edgar’s Mission responded to a call for some poorly farmed animals, only to find over 50 free-roaming cats, kittens and pregnant mums in need of rescue as well. Many of these cats were suffering and needed urgent care. On the Sunday I helped volunteers and staff comb and wash hundreds of fleas from tiny kittens and prepare them to go into their new foster homes. Fleas are easily treated. However, if untreated a flea burden like this would kill a cat over a long and painful period.

We have a persistent problem in Victoria with access to vet care, desexing and education about animal welfare. A female cat can have 100 kittens in her lifetime. There are millions of stray, non-desexed domestic cats across the country, and it must be urgently addressed in a humane, non-lethal manner. I will always support not-for-profit organisations like Edgar’s Mission, who step in to provide to animals a kind alternative and a chance at life that they would not otherwise have.