Council applauds local organisations for national excellence in animal care
Two members of Blacktown City Council's Urban Companion Animal Management Advisory Sub Committee (UCAMASC) have been awarded two prestigious honours for their respective animal/pet care organisations, highlighting the high quality standard of their organisations and their valuable contribution and commitment as advisors to the committee.
The UCAMASC is one of 26 Council committees comprising Council staff, Councillors and volunteers from the community who together provide input and advice to Council on a range of issues, with this committee focussed on urban companion animal matters.
Representing animal clubs and associations on the UCAMASC is Patricia Hall who together with her husband George are the proprietors of MeadowMist Boarding Kennels and Cattery at Marsden Park. MeadowsMist was recently announced as the first NSW pet boarding business to be accredited under the new Pet Industry Association of Australia (PIAA) national accreditation scheme, following a rigorous process.
CEO of the Pet Industry Association of Australia applauded the running of the boarding kennels acknowledging the loyal clientele, excellent service and facilities, management systems and their commitment to animal health and hygiene, saying that the business provides a benchmark for others in the industry to aspire to.
Patricia Hall was proud to be the first recipient of accreditation in NSW. "We pride ourselves in our understanding of the needs of pets and their owners," Patricia said.
One of the community representatives on the UCAMASC is Kurt Johannessen, who together with his wife Lyn run the not for profit organisation NSW Animal Rescue Inc. based in Prospect . The NSW Animal Rescue Inc was recently awarded the title of Best Local Animal Rescue for 2007 by Dogs Life magazine and the PIAA.
NSW Animal Rescue Inc took out the top award following entries from across Australia, highlighting national excellence in the rescue, rehabilitation and re-homing of abandoned animals.
The rescue organisation continually strives to reduce the number of abandoned pets put to death each year, by providing a range of services and programs such as discount desexing, microchipping and rehoming of these dogs, as well as foster care arrangements and educational programs to name just a few.
Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Leo Kelly applauded the committee members saying that their respective awards are further testament to their outstanding delivery of quality care for animals as well as their invaluable input into the Urban Companion Animal Management Advisory Sub Committee.
Contacts for follow up: Patricia Hall - 9627 2395 and Kurt Johannessen - 9896 3287.