Reuniting lost dogs with their owners is a very challenging but rewarding experience for the team at Milly’s Search Trap and Rescue Group.
The challenge is set to become easier after receiving $2000 from Greater Bank’s Community Funding Program that will go directly towards a thermal imaging drone to help more families find their four-legged friends.
Milly’s Search Trap and Rescue Group took out the major prize for winning the public vote in the Program’s July round while monthly runners-up, Capes4Kids Australia and TAD (Technical Aid to the Disabled), each received $500.
Milly’s Search Trap and Rescue Group Secretary Jo-anne Wright said the group works all over the Central Coast.
“We are a not-for-profit team of volunteers who are dedicated and passionate about bringing lost pets home safely, sometimes travelling five hours away to help find lost dogs,” Jo-anne said.
“We work with rescue groups and private owners providing advice, equipment and volunteers to help in the physical search for a lost pet.
“Our feature piece of equipment is the Missy Trap, a pre-manufactured dog enclosure with a door controlled by an infrared beam sensor, which we first brought to Australia in 2020.
“As it’s a larger space, a frightened animal is more likely to go in compared to a standard box trap.
“We usually rely on donations from the public and there’s not a lot available out there, especially at the moment, so it means a lot to us to receive this funding from the Greater, as it has enabled us to purchase a thermal imaging drone which we use to help locate animals in bushland.”
Jo-anne Wright, Milly’s Search Trap and Rescue Group Secretary
Greater Bank’s Central Coast Regional Sales Manager, Josh Swetnam, said his employees at the Erina branch had been moved by the passion of the Milly’s Rescue volunteers who work tirelessly to reunite lost pets with their families.
“If your dog goes missing, that would be a very distressing experience, and the volunteers at Milly’s recognise how integral pets are to a family unit” Josh said.
“It’s great to hear that our contribution could help reduce the anguish and reunite people with their pets a bit quicker, which is a fantastic outcome.”
Online voting in the August round of the #GreaterCentralCoast community funding program is open at greater.com.au/greatercentralcoast until 5pm on Friday, August 19, with 1st Ourimbah Scout Group, Toukley and District Art Society and Special Olympics Central Coast Club to share $3,000 in monthly funding.